This is possibly the most low-brow movie ever made. After all, the series it is based on just about has to be most low-brow. One only has to look at the production values. Granted, they look bloody hilarious, but they are very dodgy. On face value, you’d think making a movie out of the dodgiest cartoon characters ever would seem like a bit of a gamble. I suppose it is a matter of taste, but I thought that South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut was an absolute belly laugh pretty much from start to finish.

Well, I guess it is difficult to talk about the acting here (since it’s a cartoon) or the acting sequences (since it is a 2-d thing and the explosions look like they belong in a Batman comic), and since the production values are pretty non-existent I guess the only thing left to discuss is the plot and the script. I will probably discuss most of the plot here because most of you will probably not want to see the movie anyway. And it doesn’t make a lot of sense if I don’t anyway!

The plot is demented. Basically, the four protagonists see an R-rated movie called Terrance & Phillip: Asses of Fire where the nasty Canadian stars use some rather foul language. Our previously charming kids come out of the cinema using language the most hardened trooper would cringe at. Noting that the movie was Canadian, the South Park mothers band up, headed by Kyle’s mum and form Mothers Against Canada (or something) and with a bit of marching and protesting, capture Terrance and Phillip. Kyle’s mum gains the Secretary of Defence position and prompts dopey “Bill Clinton” to declare war on the Canadians…. Who have a peculiar physical anomaly in that one half of their head is disconnected from the other.

The war commences, Canadians get rounded up and put in war camps and the execution of Terrance and Phillip (cant remember what the crime was) becomes a public spectacle. As you can see, the plot is really pretty insane. But it is intended to be satirical, not actually believable. You only have to look at the characters to know that!

So while the kids rejoice in being able to see Asses of Fire unlimited times while the parents organise the war effort and the execution, they soon come the realisation that perhaps what the MAC did was rather unjust and that declaration of war on a nation over bad language was perhaps a bit of an overreaction. So they plot to save the Canadian comedians, with the aid of The Mole (he’s a French revolutionary, not a game saboteur!) and the new boy at South Park Elementary.

Also in a subplot is Satan, his plots to rule the world and also his troubled gay relationship with Saddam Hussein, who had been assassinated not long before. Kenny, who dies early, gives Satan some valuable advice about what to do with the pesky Iraqi. The role of Satan is a ridiculous, incongruous one, but its still pretty funny, especially when he sings a melancholy tune whilst trying to come to terms with the dominating Saddam. In the end, Satan’s generous nature wins out when he grants Kenny any wish, after Saddam is disposed of. Kenny, being dead, could return to life but instead wishes the war undone and ascends to heaven and a bevy of nude, gorgeous cartoon characters.

What makes this movie good is the silly, outrageous humour it displays. It is not subtle by any stretch of the imagination. Some say that it is insulting, offensive, or just plain disgusting, but I must say that these people are missing the point. The show, and the movie, are supposed to be of a satirical nature (sometimes it is just plain stupid!) and it has a shot at everything and anyone. God, Satan, whites, blacks, Barbra Streisand, no-one is exempt. It is not supposed to be a serious thing, it should be taken with a generous pinch of salt and an open mind. You don’t have to be a redneck from Mississippi or a psychotic killer to find this stuff funny, just an open sense of humour. Plus, it is an adult movie, so if people complain that their children are being given a bad example or whatever then they are simply not doing a good enough job screening what their children watch. Not that any of you have that problem!

Admittedly, some bits are really silly. Cartman singing “Kyle’s mum’s a b***h” is undoubtedly silly but it is also funny, for some reason I found the quick bit where it is sung in African hilarious. The visual thing is often what provides the laughs… it is so bare and basic that you cannot help but laugh. Some people, or maybe many, may not find South Park funny, and I suppose you have to watch the TV show a couple of times previously so that you can get a grounding in the silliness. Watch for the ticketbox man at the cinemas when the boys ask for tickets to the movie…. The juxtaposition between his face and his words is very funny. Granted, I don’t need much to laugh, but it does look and sound brilliant!

Anyway, this is pretty long, so I should cut it short. If you like to have a laugh and aren’t too sensitive then this movie should be good for you. It might be hard looking for an underlying message beneath all the gross-outs and jokes, but they are there. If silly escapism and cheap shots are not your fare, definitely don’t watch this as you may come out hot under the collar and form Parents Against Humour! Just joking….


Recommended:
Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Not suitable for Children of any age