Ummm...Are they Sure this isn't NC-17?

Rating: 3/10 (5 July 1999)

I went to see South Park the day after it opened with a buddy of mine. Now, for the most part, I usually enjoy the television show, South Park, by Matt Stone and Trey Parker. I appreciate the satiracle nature of the television program and was looking forward to seeing the film. Now that I've seen the movie, I'm not sure if I'll ever view an episode of South Park the same. Scratch that, I'm not sure if I can ever watch an episode of South Park again.
I understand what Parker and Stone were trying to do with the flick. They were taking a look at censorship and taking potshots at their opponents in the process. The problem that I have with the film is that they went so overboard in trying to get that point across that the movie became disgusting. I laughed at parts of the film (I loved the Brian Boitano song), but soon felt ashamed at doing so. Parker and Stone smashed so much dirty language and sick humor (the bedroom scenes between Saddam and Satan) that I just didn't want to watch anymore.
I'm left with mixed feelings about the film. My biggest concern is that the film only received an R-rating. Now, I'm eighteen years old and for the most part a jaded viewer, but I must say that I would hope that no kid under seventeen should get into this movie, even if they are with their parents. I think they should have gotten the NC-17 tag on this movie and surprised that they didn't.