South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut (1999) / Animation-Comedy

MPAA Rated: R for pervasive vulgar language and crude sexual humor, and for some violent images           
Running Time: 81 min.

Cast (voices): Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Franchesca Clifford, George Clooney
Director:  Trey Parker
Screenplay: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Pam Brady
Review published July 11, 1999

Granted, I have never been much of a fan of the "South Park" TV show. I think that the humor is too easy, merely relying on vulgarities in the absence of true wit. Some people think watching kids spew profanity and desecrating religious and cultural icons is amusing, but that kind of humor easy and unimpressive The fact that I even sat through South Park: BLU in its entirety is an achievement in and of itself, and a masochistic feat I'm astonished I was able to withstand.

The storyline is satirical, poking fun at the furor raised over the controversial subject matter of the TV show. Here, in the quiet redneck town of South Park, a vile and vulgar film from Canada involving a duo of badmouthed young men named Terence and Philip becomes the must-see movie for youths in town. They begin reciting much of the foul-mouthed vulgarities heard in the film, which causes the parents in town to call for T & P's heads, starting a war with Canada itself. For some unknown reason, Satan and Saddam Hussein also get involved.

Crediting the film for decent production values and a good deal of energy, the film starts off promising, with some interesting songs and occasionally amusing humor. However a little "South Park" goes a long ways and what was once mildly amusing soon becomes repetitive and as the film progresses, interest in it wanes to the point of boredom. Perhaps the TV show's short duration is a point in its favor, as after the first twenty minutes it became increasingly difficult hold one's attention, and prolonged bouts of daydreaming were not uncommon during key musical pieces.

That's not to say it gets less funny, it's just a matter of overkill, and "South Park" revels in it's own excessiveness until it becomes meaningless and dull. Hardcore fans of the show may be annoyed by the musical pieces, so this film is strictly for "South Park" fans who like musicals. Everyone else will probably find something more interesting on C-Span.    

Qwipster's rating:

©1999 Vince Leo