Behold your future

Idiocracy is the latest film from Mike Judge (Beavis & Butthead, King of the Hill, Office Space). It stars Luke Wilson as an average army soldier who is coerced into taking part in an experiment where he is cryogenically frozen and awakens 500 years in the future.

The not-so-outlandish premise is that in that time, the Human race, fed a diet of energy drinks, candy and mind-numbing media, have become so stupid and imbecilic that he is now the most intelligent man alive.

Judge displays his usual razor-sharp wit and eye for detail in the depiction of a society created entirely by Big Brother contestants. They speak in a mix of rap, slang, catchphrases and advertising slogans. Anybody who has spent some time amongst 13-year-olds recently will think “so what?”

Clothes resemble Grand Prix drivers uniforms, covered in advertising, The president of the USA, President Camacho, only has the job because he is Smackdown champion, The highest rating TV show is called “Ow, My Balls!” and the most popular movie “Ass” is exactly that. Two hours of a bare backside on screen. The most brilliant observation, on the juxtaposition of sex, advertising and consumables, Starbucks is now a coffee serving brothel.

Wilson is one of the best “everyman” actors around and doesn’t really get out of second gear here but the role doesn’t demand him too. Maya Rudolph is underused as his love interest, a cryogenically frozen prostitute called Rita, and Dax Shepard provides solid support as Wilson’s lawyer and later friend, Frito.

Satire is where Judge works best and some of his targets are bull’s-eyes. Like Office Space, it runs out of steam two thirds through and limps over the finish but it’s an enjoyable ninety minutes all the same.