Embrace satire because fearing it will prove it correct

Rating: 9/10 (26 March 2012)

It's always very iffy when we see a film based off a popular Television show hit theaters. We are unsure if it will just be a typical story stretched to fit theatrical standards, boasting virtually nothing unique or big screen worthy, or if it will be an exclusive adventure only fit for theaters. South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut knows it's leaping from the small to big screen, and to prepare for its monumental leap, caused a great deal of controversy with the MPAA about whether it deserved an R or NC-17 rating.
The film has to be one of the smartest animated pictures in decades, and probably the best Television-to-film adaptation along with Beavis and Butthead Do America and The Simpson's Movie. It is an unforgettable excursion, not only providing a plethora of good, and bad, laughs but also giving us hefty commentary on social issues and a delightful and poignantly brilliant satire on customs, war, vague xenophobia, and the handling of strong moral issues.
Our story centers around the mountain town of South Park, Colorado where our four boys, Kyle, Stan, Cartman, and Kenny (voiced by Parker and Stone), foul-mouthed, ill-behaved elementary schoolers, take a trip to the movies to see the Canadian picture "Terrance and Phillip: Asses on Fire." The film is vile and littered with foul language, politically incorrectness, and flatulence, and the boys eat it up. They repeat the off color phrases at school, along with the rest of the students, which eventually gets their mothers involved to start a war against Canada.
If there's anything the film does extremely well, and believe me it does a lot of things of commendable nature, it's adding in a highly memorable, insanely catchy score. Parker and Stone have incorporated a musical aspect with everyone of their films, except BASEketball. Here, it is fitting, infectious, and witty in its attempts to add zest and flavor to its arguments.
I mentioned the film is sick with satire. That it is. It discusses very strong elements, some of which I believe South Park is all about. The film has something to say about censorship, first amendment rights, parenting, and acting on behaviors impulsively, where the thought of no serious consequences will ever come into play. The strongest thing it comments on is the parenting aspect. The film would've been over in twenty minutes if the parents sat down with their children and had an honest, open, and influential talk about morals, language, and the media. There is a scene where Mr. Mackey tries to take charge of the issue by getting the kids to replace their "naughty words" with things a bit lighter and less offensive (in the form of song of course). But it doesn't work. Immediately when they're released from school, they return to the cinemas for an umpteenth helping of "Terrance and Phillip." It shows that the schools can't do the job of parenting, and when they try, they fail to reach any point of reason. Parenting should come from the parents. Not third party outlets.
When it comes to censorship and parental reactions in the film, I'm sure Parker and Stone weren't the least bit shy in incorporating elements and remarks they've probably received from the show itself. South Park has to be the most controversial show of the 1990's and still the 2000's. The show has just entered its sixteenth season, remaining on the mellow side poking fun at how we sit on toilets and "Cash for Gold" outlets. But its last few seasons have gotten its creators in some major, major trouble. Both times involving the Muslim prophet Muhammad as a running joke.
This is truly one of the sharpest satires to come out in years, nonetheless an animated one. I can't help but laugh at the idea on how seriously some people take the show. The beauty is it is so crudely animated; just vibrant construction paper resembling the look of a grade school project, yet it is so harsh, mean-spirited, violent, vulgar, and sex-driven. South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut basks in the idea of having a full length movie about itself. A movie where truly anything goes. No beeps, blurs, or restrictions. Unadulterated, unmatchable satirical humor combined perfectly with gross out gags and wit to envy. I'll be damned if it's not one of the most profound pictures of the nineties decade.
Voiced by: Trey Parker and Matt Stone. Directed by: Trey Parker.