Come on down to South Park! (South Park)

Member Name: Revier

Product:	South Park
Date:	28/10/09 (27 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Funny well Conceived Comedy

Disadvantages: Language that would make a sailor blush

From the creative minds of Matt Stone & Trey parker, South Park follows the exploits of four foul mouthed 8 year olds, Stan, Kyle, Kenny and Cartman in the Snowy mountains of colorado. The small Hic town of South park is populated by a host of mentally and socially stunted individuals such as Mr Garrison and his glove puppet friend Mr hat, the woefully inept policeman officer Barbrady and one of my favourites the small blond whipping boy Leopold 'Butters' Stotch.


The dynamics of the group are spot on, Cartman is the human representation of the antichrist, Stan & Kyle are the 'normal' faces of the four (with the word normal being highly negligable) with Kenny providing some light relief by joyfully getting himself murdered at the end of each episode.

South Parks extremely shoddy and basic animation (a necessity with the shows initially limited budget) has become one of its defining features and gives it a real sense of character and charm (although the shows content is far from charming).

The boys have certainly seen a lot considering their tender ages, from a huge mechanised Barbara Streissand destroying the town to Cartmans unfortunate experiences with a rather probe loving race of aliens.

Not one of the 200 odd episodes are ever dull with a wide and fresh variety of outlandish plotlines. Most episodes have a relevant and poignant point hidden beneath its simplistic and crude exterior. This juxtaposition ensures that a wider audience can get something out of South Park, rather than just adolescents sniggering everytime the 'F' word is uttered. Not saying that South Park is an intellectual programme but there is more to it than just effing and blinding.

At a first glance, South Park may seem like an offensive, crass and sometimes even racist programme, but it is through clever writing and spoofing that Parker & Stone manage to challenge the viewers own beliefs with the ultimate result being the exposition of the ridiculousness in prejudice and small mindedness.

Obviously this show is not going to be for everyone. With adult themes and atrocious language i dont recommend it to anyone too young or easily offended, but if you do decide to give it a chance and scratch beneath the veneer of childishness you are actually left with a suprisingly substantial comedy. A large portion of the comedy comes from the recognisation and subsequent mocking of some of the most popular zeitgeists of our time, meaning that we can all relate to the issues raised on some level.

Those of you who are already fans will know that some time ago (1999) Trey & Matt released a full feature length South Park Movie entitled 'Bigger, Longer & Uncut' featuring some magnificent musical overtures like the majestic 'shut your ******* face uncle ******' and who could forget the haunting ballad 'Kyle's Moms a b****'
The film follows our crude kiddies as their canadian idols Terrance & Philip unwittingly start a brutal war between America and that well known warmonger Canada. With satan himself even getting involved in the action.

I enjoyed the movie immensely but, again, it wont be for everyone as it certainly earns every year of its 18 rating.

Summary: Really terrific comedy but some controversial language and issues.