DVD: Idiocracy

• Dumbed-down American culture bottoms out in Mike Judge's funny Idiocracy.

Genres: Comedy, satire
DVD released: Jan. 9, 2007
Director: Mike Judge
Cast: Luke Wilson, Maya Rudolph, Dax Shepard, Terry Crews
Verdict: &&&

Anyone who enjoyed American Dreamz' skewering of the real-life phenomenon American Karaoke (for the sarcasm impaired, that means American Idol) will likely enjoy Idiocracy's indictment of our pandering culture. A clever Mike Judge satire whose theatrical release went largely un-promoted, Idiocracy is the story of ordinary Army Private Joe Bowers (Luke Wilson), who, along with a hooker named Rita (the always hilarious Maya Rudolph), is drafted into a top-secret military human hibernation project. It's supposed to last for one year, but the two awake 500 years later to find that the dumbed-down culture they knew in the early 2000s has spiraled into one dominated by humanity's baser instincts, crass commercialism and utter stupidity, making them the smartest people alive. It's a world in which water has been replaced by a Gatorade-like sports drink and Bowers' newfound eloquence makes him sound like a "f*g" to the masses. He spends part of the movie fleeing police because he doesn't have a scannable barcode on his wrist and the other part trying to solve the country's numerous problems as part of the president's (Terry Crews) cabinet. Among my favorite sight gags: A FOX News broadcast in which the anchor is topless sums it all up perfectly. // DVD notes // Several deleted/extended scenes are included.