What an F-ing Excellent Movie

Rating: 10/10 (10 July 1999)

In a nutshell -- this is one of the most politically significant films released this decade, and it's also funny as hell. A lot of people may think that "South Park" is nothing more than fart jokes and foul-mouthed children, but if so, they're missing the point. The point is: at eight years old, all of us really are foul mouthed and into fart jokes, but try to hide it from our parents. It's when the parents act shocked at the behavior that they themselves probably indulged in that the world gets screwed, with possibly apocalyptic results.
From start to finish, "South Park" is an all singing, all dancing riot -- just as musical as the latest Disney crap, but with a point. Make no mistake, this is NOT a Disney film, despite the animation. Best that the grown ups see it before deciding whether to take their kids -- but, again, that's part of the point. The film is rated "R" for a reason, and parental responsibility (or rejection thereof) is a big topic in this story.
I won't try to describe the plot here; suffice it to say that the latest "Terrence & Phillip" movie, "Asses of Fire," causes a bit of controversy in South Park, the parents over-react, and everything takes off from there. Along the way, there are hilarious songs, foul language, a couple of really nasty sight-gags, hypocrisy on parade, several penises, lots of flatulence, celebrity cameos, and an almost constant barage of funny lines that will have you rolling in the aisles -- unless you're a stuck-up puritan who thinks movies like this shouldn't exist -- or you're dead.
Anyway, see this movie. Let me say it again. See this movie. It's a perfect example of how truly good and funny a film can be when the filmmakers listen to their hearts, and not some A-Hole in a suit who's read Syd Field and thinks they know movies. Trey Parker and Matt Stone have made a fortune off of "South Park," and yet don't seem to have sold out at all. Here's hoping that this film leads to a just as raunchy fanchise, and that the viewing audience actually gets the lessons they're trying to teach us.
If not, well, to paraphrase T&P -- "You're f*****." And, the fact that I have to use asterisks is yet another commentary on "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut." Or, maybe, vice versa...