Celebrating South Park's Iconic Film

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How South Park Made a PERFECT Movie

Johnny 2 Cellos

Aug 3, 2024

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Entertainment

South Park movie's success from creators' defiance

  1. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the South Park movie, South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut. The movie was released just two years after the show premiered on Comedy Central, and the show has continued for an additional 25 years since the film's release.
  2. Despite the show's evolution and increased notoriety over the years, Bigger, Longer and Uncut remains one of South Park's most impressive and celebrated stories. The movie is considered by some, including the author, to be the greatest story the series has ever produced.
  3. The impressive aspect of the movie is how creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker made it. They refused to conform to the studio system and insisted on making the movie they wanted, which contributed to its massive success and lasting celebration.
  4. The creators had a punk rock attitude towards producing the film, believing their time in Hollywood was ending. This mindset led them to put everything into the movie without worrying about the consequences or burning bridges.
  5. Matt and Trey faced numerous challenges in making the movie, including a significant battle with Paramount over the film's rating. Paramount wanted a PG-13 rating for broader market appeal, but Matt and Trey insisted on an R rating, which they believed was essential for the film's integrity.
  6. The creators' defiance and commitment to their vision were crucial in shaping the movie's final form. Their willingness to fight for their creative choices, despite potential career risks, was a key factor in the film's success.

South Park movie's success from creators' defiance

  1. Matt Stone and Trey Parker aimed to maintain their integrity and create a movie they were proud of, despite the studio's expectations. They rejected a Kid Rock tie-in music video, which they felt was against the South Park ethos.
  2. 'South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut' is a musical, reflecting Trey Parker's genuine love for musicals. Their first college film was also a musical, 'Alfred Packer: The Musical,' later renamed 'Cannibal! The Musical.'
  3. The idea to parody popular musical films, especially those from the Disney Renaissance, was a significant creative decision. At the time, musicals were not popular and were considered a risky format.
  4. The studio did not market the film as a musical, which was ironic given that the musical numbers are a standout feature of the film. This led to disagreements over the film's marketing and trailer edits.
  5. Matt and Trey had a major conflict with Paramount over the film's trailer, leading to a stunt where Stone hid a crucial tape to delay the trailer's completion. This anti-authority attitude was key to the film's unique final product.
  6. Their defiance extended to their interactions with the MPAA, who had previously given their film 'Orgasmo' an NC-17 rating without specific notes. They would respond to censorship demands by submitting even more provocative content, which often led to the original content being approved.
  7. The film's success was notable, making about four times its budget and receiving strong reviews from critics, despite being an R-rated comedy in 1999.

South Park movie critiques censorship humorously

  1. The South Park movie, South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song for 'Blame Canada,' performed by Robin Williams at the ceremony. Despite its success, the song lost to Phil Collins.
  2. The film's production was seen as a miracle, driven by creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker's belief that it was their final Hollywood project. They made the film on their terms, resulting in a hilarious, musical, and critical piece on censorship and outrage.
  3. The movie mirrors South Park's journey in the '90s, facing backlash for its crude humor. Critics argued that a vulgar cartoon should not exist, especially if it attracted children.
  4. The film's plot revolves around the controversy of children watching an R-rated movie, 'Terrence and Philip: Asses of Fire.' The opening number introduces South Park and its characters in a sweet, non-vulgar manner, contrasting with the obscene dialogue in the movie within the movie.
  5. The narrator shares a personal anecdote about watching the film on Comedy Central's 'Secret Stash,' which aired uncut and uncensored movies. This experience mirrored the shock and excitement of the characters in the film, enhancing the viewing experience.
  6. The movie critiques the idea that cartoons should not contain vulgarities due to their perceived responsibility to children. This critique remains relevant due to the ongoing belief that animation is strictly for children.

Parents must address kids' media exposure

  1. The text discusses the nature of children wanting to watch content above their maturity level, emphasizing that it is the parents' responsibility to monitor and manage what their children are exposed to.
  2. The main point of the South Park movie is highlighted: parents need to deal with the reality that their children will encounter mature content, whether through media or other sources like the playground.
  3. The text references the backlash against South Park in the late '90s, where critics argued that the show was harmful to society, and parents blamed the show for their children's behavior.
  4. Matt Stone and Trey Parker, the creators of South Park, address these criticisms in the movie by portraying the parents as the villains who refuse to take responsibility for their children's upbringing and instead blame external sources like a Canadian cartoon.
  5. The iconic song 'Blame Canada' is mentioned as a satirical take on parents avoiding responsibility and finding scapegoats for their children's actions.
  6. The narrative of the movie also critiques the MPAA's censorship standards, particularly their focus on language over violence, by depicting the parents' extreme reactions to their children hearing swear words.
  7. The character Sheila is used to exemplify the absurdity of the MPAA's standards, as she commits murder over offensive language, serving as a metaphor for the organization's misplaced priorities.
  8. The text explains how the movie elevates the recurring gag of Kenny's death from the series into a significant plot point and subplot, giving Kenny an afterlife arc that adds depth to his character.
  9. Despite being released a few years after the series began, the movie serves as a perfect introduction to the South Park world, making it accessible to new viewers by properly introducing characters, setting, and themes.
  10. The opening musical number 'Mountain Town' is highlighted for its role in walking the audience through the important aspects of the story, from characters to setting to theme, making the film a complete and standalone piece.

South Park movie's musical brilliance

  1. The introduction of Sheila Browski as the villain is juxtaposed with the innocence of the boys, highlighting her authoritarian parenting style.
  2. Sheila's worldview is established early on, showing her fear of the world corrupting her children and her tendency to avoid deeper conversations with her son Kyle.
  3. The opening musical sequence effectively introduces the characters, the town of South Park, and foreshadows key plot points, setting up the film's conflict within the first four minutes.
  4. Mark Shaman's involvement brought a Broadway legitimacy to the film's music, transforming simple songs into legitimate musical numbers.
  5. The South Park movie's soundtrack is a significant factor in its success, with each song being foundationally important to the story and pushing the plot forward.
  6. The song 'Blame Canada' establishes Sheila as the villain and sets up the film's central conflict, leading to a series of escalating events between the U.S. and Canada.
  7. The film's songs are not only entertaining but also serve to advance the plot, with the exception of 'It's Easy, MK,' which is more of a humorous interlude.

Emotional depth and subversive humor

  1. The South Park movie, South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut, is celebrated for its impressive storytelling and subversive humor.
  2. One of the standout elements is the song 'Up There,' sung by Satan, which parodies Disney's 'I Want' songs while being genuinely emotional.
  3. Satan is portrayed as a sympathetic character in an abusive relationship with Saddam Hussein, adding depth to the story.
  4. Kenny, usually a punchline in the series, plays a pivotal emotional role by supporting Satan and ultimately sacrificing himself for his friends.
  5. The film balances outrageous humor and vulgarity with genuine emotional moments, making it a unique and impactful musical.
  6. Despite its success, the movie lacks many characters who later became central to the series, such as Butters, Tolkien, and Randy.
  7. The emotional core and character development, especially Kenny's selflessness, are key to the film's lasting impact.

South Park movie's unique charm and success

  1. South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut is celebrated as one of South Park's most impressive stories, maintaining the spirit of the original seasons while delivering it in an exceptional package.
  2. Despite Matt and Trey's negative feelings about the movie during the 2009 Blu-ray commentary, where they expressed regrets and criticized the animation, the film's simplistic animation is seen as charming and visually distinctive.
  3. The movie's construction paper textures, despite being made digitally, add depth and character, making it stand out from the show's animation at the time.
  4. The film's unique and standout nature is further highlighted by its lack of more advanced animation techniques that the creators are capable of today.
  5. The continued adoration and success of the film, including filling theaters for the 25th anniversary screenings, prove that it turned out as it was meant to.
  6. The South Park movie evokes nostalgic memories and is considered an excellent movie due to its immaculate structure, incredible music, biting comebacks, outrageous humor, and emotional depth.
  7. The film is beloved for its unique charm and remains unmatched by any other South Park episode, special, or video game.