Beavis and Butthead was one of the many points in my childhood where I knew, I was unlike anybody else. I was entertained beyond belief by these two dimwits who knew nothing in the world outside of their couch and their television. Seeing this movie young, most likely around ten, I honestly didn't like it. I found it to be "boring" and I hated how Beavis and Butthead left the town of Highland and ventured out into the big world.
I watched it a year later and went on to like it. This is my third viewing. Now I can fully appreciate it. I understood all the jokes, but at the same time I wished the film took place in the town of Highland, I realize that the creators and the director, respectively, had to create a plot that was very large and made to fit an eighty-five minute run time. Not the usual five to ten minute run time the MTV program was used to.
At the time, this movie was the near conclusion to the MTV program that ran for five years. There was rumored to be a sequel for years, and remained in development, but never happened. Fine by me. We got something better. It took fifteen years, but in 2011 it's said that the show will return to MTV with brand new episodes poking fun at music videos and viral videos. I'm skeptical, yet my excitement is through the roof.
Beavis and Butthead Do America is about the two adolescents that go in search of their missing television set. Wandering into a motel, they become mistaken by a drunk named Muddy (Willis) as the men he hired to kill his wife. Saying he hired them to "do his wife," the boys believe they are being payed to have sex with Muddy's wife. The boys don't object, but then become labeled the most dangerous men in America by the FBI who are in search of a mysterious chip they call "the unit." The humor isn't as racy as people would expect. It maintains a PG-13 rating, and uses it neutrally. That comes off as one of its flaws, sadly. Like the South Park movie that boasted an R rating with very foul language and sex references, clearly showed what could be on the big screen differs greatly from Comedy Central. With Beavis and Butthead Do America, it does the same thing it would've done if it were a TV movie. Even The Simpson's Movie went a little further than its FOX limits.
Still, it's worth it for the pleasure of seeing one of the greatest animated duos on the big screen doing what they do best, nothing. The best thing about the teens is they get in trouble, without even trying to get in trouble. They are a victim of bad timing, but somehow avoid every possible consequence. The FBI agent orders roadblocks, they are in the middle of the desert. They order the Dream America bus to stop, they get on a Nun's bus.
My favorite scene is when their "peace'd out" teacher tries to tell them from the bottom of his heart that having no Television actually opens a window of opportunity. He claims people need to realize that we don't need TV to entertain us. After that very near and dear moment, all they pick up is "entert(ain us)." Beavis and Butthead Do America has gotten better with repeated viewings, but is seems it never was "boring." I think being young and dumb, the film didn't sit right with me for the reasons I stated above. After the third time, it was pretty cool.
Starring: Mike Judge, Demi Moore, and Bruce Willis. Directed by: Mike Judge.
