Mike Judge has reached mainstream acceptance with his FOX television show "King of the Hill". However, his earlier characters Beavis and Butt-head are not for everyone. If you have seen and enjoyed the MTV animated shorts, however, the film "Beavis and Butt-head Do America" will not disappoint.

On the other hand, if you had never heard of "Beavis and Butt-head", and saw this title in a television guide, you would probably think that it was a pornographic movie. But you can't judge a film by its title.

Beavis and Butt-head are about fifteen years old. They are stupid, naive and depraved, and have spent most of their lives watching television. From a societal point of view, they have no redeeming qualities. This doesn't prevent them from being hilarious, as their very weaknesses reflect the base feelings and actions that everybody has.

Our animated anti-heroes wake up to find that their beloved television set has been stolen. A search to find a working TV set gets them (as always) into increasing trouble, which they remain oblivious to. Somehow Beavis and Butt-head are taken for professional killers, get a biological weapon implanted on their clothes, and are sent on a cross-country mission to "score" with a femme fatale arms trader. Meanwhile, fanatical government agents are on their trail, seeking to recover the weapon.

Mike Judge directed and wrote the script. His gifted vocal chords voice the major characters. He pulls no punches when it come to satire. Beavis and Butt-head, who assumedly represent young America, are hopelessly stupid, shallow and clueless. Stereotypes of the liberal middle school teacher and the relentless federal agent (who has a thing about deep cavity searches) are lampooned. The opening credits slam Godzilla movies, and 1970s TV detective shows.

The animation is merely perfunctory, even ugly. This does not detract much, as it suits the mood of the film. The story isn't always credible, such as the sudden change of status for Beavis and Butt-head from America's Most Wanted to hero. The dumb-dumbs also survive a definitely fatal jump from a moving vehicle, and are not arrested after re-joining their tour bus.

Bruce Willis and Demi Moore provide the voices of the arms trading couple. David Letterman, who is a big fan of Beavis and Butt-head, also has a voice characterization. (69/100)




Recommended: Yes