I might be revealing a bit too much about myself here, but Beavis and Butt-Head Do America is the movie I’ve seen the most in theatres. I was 16 years old and obsessed with those two lovable imbeciles. MTV had me hook, line, and sinker. From the books, to the soundtracks, to the Genesis game where you’re playing to get to a GWAR concert, I had it all. Sure, there was a certain level of satire and parody involved with the television show and the first movie, but I was too naïve and immature to notice any of it. Instead, I was giggling along with Butt-Head when he heard a potential dirty word, or putting my shirt over my head after drinking some crappuccino like The Great Cornholio.
For better or worse, Beavis and Butt-Head were pop culture icons of that time. So, when I heard Paramount Plus brought Mike Judge’s characters back, I was excited.
There’s always a risk in bringing back beloved characters for a new movie. For every reboot and reinterpretation that works, there are countless others that fall completely flat. And, if I’m being blunt, the chances of Beavis and Butt-Head not landing like they once did, are pretty high. Thankfully, I’m happy to report that Beavis and Butt-Head Do The Universe feels like a long overdue reunion. Even though it’s been almost 25 years since Do America, it feels like no time has passed. Here I am, in my 40s, giggling as much as I did as a teenager.
Beavis and Butt-Head Do The Universe is a love letter to the past
When times get tough, I have a tendency to retreat to remembering happier times as a salve for my pain. One of those times that I go back to from time to time is my teenage years where I survived on a healthy diet of Beavis and Butt-Head, Ren and Stimpy, and Liquid Television. Reminiscing on simpler times helps me power through challenges. The two horned up teens from Highland, Texas still have an effect on me (for better or worse). Watching their antics for another 90 minutes was just what the doctor ordered in these trying times fueled by high gas prices, inflation, and a completely divided country. There’s something comforting knowing that after all these years, Beavis and Butt-Head are just trying to finally score.
That’s right, at its core, Beavis and Butt-Head Do The Universe, is about the duo’s pursuit of getting lucky
The movie opens up in 1998 where we last left our band of heroes. And, they’re in familiar territory – at school where Butt-Head is kicking Beavis in the crotch. The two are at the school science fair (unknowingly), and are just being themselves. They discover a robot foot that automatically kicks a football, so Butt-Head gets the bright idea to use it on Beavis. If you’re familiar with the two, you can likely guess what happens next, but if not, then let’s just say their Science Fair plans went up in smoke and the pair gets arrested. Luckily for them, the judge handling the sentencing had a change of heart.
Instead of jail time, they get sent to Space Camp.
At Space Camp, their dirty minds prove they would be the perfect astronauts to handle a specific job up in space. Much like in their first movie, the two misunderstand the main ask and assume they’re finally going to score. This time around, the misunderstanding results in them becoming astronauts, messing things up, and going through a black hole, which drops them in modern day Texas. Did the misunderstanding get resolved? What about scoring? Did Beavis and Butt-Head finally seal the deal? All of those questions are answered (and more) as the movie goes along.
Honestly, this flick is a lot less plot-heavy than the original. Instead of any major hidden meanings or satire, we’re getting some classic Beavis and Butt-Head mayhem – with a dash of multiverse thrown in for good measure.
To be blunt, Beavis and Butt-Head Do The Universe is pretty dumb, but in the best ways possible. Outside of some polish in the animation department, they aren’t trying to reinvent the wheel, and I love the filmmakers for that. If you’re a fan of the characters, then you’ll feel right at home. Beavis and Butt-Head are the stars of course, but you’ll likely see your favorite characters from the original series in cameos throughout as well.
I’m not sure if this movie will make any new Beavis and Butt-Head fans, but the armies of existing fans are going to be giggling as much now, if not more, than they did when they watched the ’90’s show. It felt good to just forget how awful the world is these days, leave my worries behind, and laugh for an hour and a half. It’s very cathartic and peaceful.
Huh, huh huh, huh. Heh heh eh Heh eh, he said pee.