Thoughtful and understated
This is not slapstick - this is a Mike Judge movie. It is not a 'comedy' , like The Hangover, that should be evaluated purely on the number and quality of laughs.
While hilarious at times, the value of a Mike Judge movie lies in the depth of its characters and the relevance of its social commentary. You come out of a Mike Judge movie and you think it's just so-so but you think about it for days and are surprised by how much you're reminded of it as you go about your life. You're also surprised by how insightful its many understated truths really are.
Mike Judge movies aren't gut-busters. They are sneaky mind-busters. This one is no exception. And it's a refreshing break from big studio, cookie-cutter comedies that, while funny, offer no cultural criticism and no stimulation for the mind.