A Lesson in Morals: Beavis and Butt-Head Do America

The world had already turned in it's verdict on what they thought of Beavis and Butt-Head. Most enjoyed their adolescent charm and mischief, but others were offended. The consensus was positive enough for MTV to gree light a Beavis and Butt-Head movie. What was delivered was some of the most satisfying Beavis and Butt-Head moments ever drawn. But what message did it send?


In December of 1996, movie goers around the globe lined up to see their heroes in their big screen debut. Beavis and Butthead Do America follows the chuckling dynamic on a quest to find their stolen TV. What ensues is their mistaken identity as hitmen, unknowingly coming into possession of a biological weapon and becoming fugitives from the law. The F.B.I is chasing what they believe to be criminal terrorist masterminds across the country, for Beavis and Butt-Head's stupidity (like turning on switches inside the Hoover Dam trying to change the TV channel on the security monitors only to knock out the power creating a diversion) seem like devious plans. It all ends when Butt-Head catches the weapon as it is tossed in the air, thus becoming a hero. Beavis and Butt-Head display many themes which are actually the basis for good morals. They prove time and time again that friendship is stronger than anything that comes between it. They also never put anything above each other, including girls. The fact that they simply can't attract them is beside the point. It is never clear whether Beavis and Butt-Head are borthers, cousins, Friends or anything of the sort. They do encounter their fathers however, who are exact copies of them save for the fact they are forty years older, fat and bald. They still talk about 'scoring with chicks' and rock and roll music which conveys another theme, never get old. Yes these men are forty years old, fat and bald, but they're happy. They live how they want to live (ride motorcycles through the desert), do what they want to do (rodey for Motley Crue) and are perfectly happy with their lot in life.


Beavis and Butt-Head are the exact same way; they show you don't need a lot of money, a high class glossy job or even a fancy home (although they have concluded numerous times that this would definitely get them to 'score'). They show through their stupidity, through their laziness that in fact all you need a the will to do something and someone to be by your side. This is perhaps the most ironic part of Beavis and Butt-Head Do America, they teach us a lesson, whether it be always stay loyal to your close ones, never stop having fun or never leave your house because crazy stuff happens. The simple fact that these two characters can teach us something about ourselves is enough to make it an animated classic.

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