The Yes Men Fix the World

"The Yes Men Fix the World." Well... not quite, but they tried. This was a rather bold and highly optimistic title, but it does grab the attention.

The Yes Men are a couple of guys--Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno--who have at the top of their priority list: pointing out corporate greed and its deleterious effects upon the environment and humanity. For this production they go after Dow Chemical, Exxon Mobil, Haliburton, and HUD (yes, the government's own Housing and Urban Development department). They don't go after these companies in the traditional sense with petitions, protests, and litigation, No! They use a more unique headline grabbing tactic known as posing.

They set up fake websites that look like the real deal to pose as the target company. Then, when they get contacted, they offer their services at various speaking engagements. And in the case of Dow Chemical, they were invited by the BBC to give an interview on live television. Then from there they choose what message they want to convey. It's actually quite brilliant and very ballsy. I'm sure they've broken a myriad laws made to protect wealthy companies, but that's probably for their sequel.

It has been many years since I have laughed so hard and for so long to the point where I risked sending myself into cardiac arrest. Let me say up front I'm a strong conservative and I realize these guys are about as liberal as they come - but at least I give them credit for realizing that humor is the best tool to attack the opposition.

Having been involved in many political campaigns as an analyst, I've often criticized liberals for having an angry and bitter disposition to anyone who thinks differently. I didn't see that in Andy and Mike. They come across as good natured, which as a conservative I can then always respect their opinion - even if I disagree.

Their pranks demonstrate just how gullible many in government and the media are - not to mention plain stupid. Being from Louisiana I can tell you it wasn't a difficult challenge to dupe the likes of a Ray Nagin (mayor of New Orleans) and Kathleen Blanco (at the time governor of Louisiana). But then, the scene where they get a respected businessman into a terrorist protective suit that looks like an obese cockroach with Halliburton stamped on the side takes "pranking" to a new level. Absolutely priceless!

Andy and Mike, I might not agree with your politics, but I love your methodology of promoting your position. I can't wait to see the next pranks you pull.

Trouble-making duo Andy Bichlbaum and Mike Bonanno, posing as their industrious alter-egos, expose the people profiting from Hurricane Katrina, the faces behind the environmental disaster in Bhopal, and other shocking events.

These guys take on the disaster at Bhopal, the idea of human candles and discuss the wetlands' effect on Hurricane Katrina. Although they are not always successful (in fact, they seem to persuade almost no one) they are excellent at educating through the argument to absurdity.

These guys are clearly biased. While it is never explicitly stated that they are left or right, it seems pretty clear they tend to favor the liberal view. This may not sit well with some viewers and sit very well with others. I do not know -- clearly if you are pro-business or anti-business, you will look at this differently than others who have no opinion.

Two guys, Andy and Mike, go undercover for the greater good of mankind. In the vein of Michael Moore, they expose multinational corporations for the soulless bastards that they are. The best and most imaginative segment is when Andy presents himself as Jude Finisterra, a spokesman for Dow Chemical in a live BBC interview. Dow had just acquired Union Carbide, and "Jude" says that the company is dissolving Union Carbide to provide $12 billion dollars in a fund for the families of those injured or killed in the Bhopal disaster. He also reads a formal apology with acceptance of full responsibility for the accident. The stock plunged until a deal spokesperson corrected the phony information.

Another stunt which fooled the media, including the "fair and balanced" Fox News, where a fake representative from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce announcing a reversal of their previous position on global warming. The laughs are for a good cause, so they are worth it. The two are dedicated and funny satirists and the Yes Men is a valuable movie.

No Spoilers in this Review, because its a Must-watch & worth watching film.

Some people calling the film consists of pranks, hoaxes! Then what u call something like the Great WMDs in Iraq, man landing on Moon!, Stock markets!....

Since a long time I have been following all the GREAT news channels, all their Breaking News etc... In the Hope that may be one day I may be able to hear a GOOD Breaking News.

But, I realized that it will never happen. The Media is a Stage for Jokers called Politicians and all the Hypocrites, to engage the People in their worthless bulletins saying the they will Save Mother Nature, Planet Earth and Make the entire Universe a Great Place to live in with All Smiling faces around!!

People, wake up to Reality.

I watched many Documentaries on Capitalism, Environmental, Political issues & many Conspiracy theories! But, The Yes Men Fix the World (2009) is Above all of them.... Its the Truth.

I was on the edge of my seat watching this film. It is very Informative, thought provoking & Entertaining.