The Yes Men Fix the World

The Yes Men are back... and this time, their leftist guerrilla tactics prove much more effective than the first time around: The cinematic presentation is more professional, the pace is much livelier, the pranks are more elaborate and there is more additional background information and emotional resonance.

Still, some of the hoaxes remain childish and some new aspects on globalization bashing would be welcome, but all in all it's more than watchable stuff. (And the final stunt involving a famous newspaper is wonderful.)

7 out of 10 gilded skeletons

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.

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.

When I started watching this movie I said to myself 'Oh, no, another Occupy argument!' And I do not fully agree with their reasoning.

But I loved it! Every minute the film was getting better. At times it might remind you of a Michael Moore feature. But this one is fun. And cleverly done. Now I want to see their other features.

And I guess the appeal is in the position taken. They seem to identify the case quite clearly. But instead of starting to march to impose their point of view "The Yes Men" are doing an art happening through satire. It is for the first time that I see a shift from the mystic-totalitarian stance of "make the government obey ME" to letting people see for themselves. Thank you "The Yes Men" for the new perspective.

Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch