January 2000

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut
Reviewed by Doug Schneider
DVD Format

Overall Enjoyment:
Picture Quality:
Sound Quality:
Packaged Extras:

Starring the voices of Trey Parker, Matt Stone, George Clooney, Mary Kay Bergman, Mike Judge

Directed by Trey Parker

Theatrical Release: 1999
DVD Release: 1999
Dolby Digital 5.1
Widescreen (Anamorphic)

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut is based on the popular TV series that pushed acceptable language on television to new limits. Now its creators have hit the movie theaters and solicited even more explosive results. Without a doubt, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut is one of the most verbally offensive movies ever put to the big-screen. It pushed the Motion Picture Association of America’s (MPAA) rating standards to new limits, and even after the cuts were made to keep it from getting an NC17 rating (the current equivalent of the old X rating) it is more raunchy than any movie in recent memory (or probably any memory). All of this for a cartoon about a group of four elementary-school kids in South Park, Colorado.

However, underneath its foul-mouthed surface is a very clever and witty script that pokes fun at almost everything including current pop-culture icons, racial and sexual stereotypes, religion, and finally, Canada. What’s more, depending on your sense of humor, it is downright hilarious. It even has the chutzpah to put the bastion of the rating system, the MPAA, square in its sights. It delivers verbal missiles that likely had the censors turning red in the face. For instance, one young character beautifully summarizes what is currently wrong with the way we view entertainment when he astutely points out that the MPAA condones deplorable violence, yet censors naughty words.

However, this is not to say that South Park should be held up as a shining example of what is right. On the contrary, this movie will offend many people and there are sevreal instances when the film, perhaps, goes a little too far. Many will (understandably) dismiss the film as crude and obnoxious. On the other hand, it is really funny and for those who are into this type of humor (and only for those), it is highly recommended. I would even go so far as to say that it is one of the funniest movies released this decade.

The story of Bigger, Longer & Uncut begins with the four kids (Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny) preparing to see a new movie by their favourite cartoon characters (Terrance and Philip), titled Asses of Fire. They gleefully arrive at the theater only to find out the movie has been strapped with an R rating (from the MPAA, of course, for its use of foul language), so they are refused admittance. Not to be deterred, the kids bribe a homeless man to get them into the movie. As the movie plays, the audience is appalled by Terrance and Phillip’s brand of humor that includes unspeakable expletives, blatant sexual references and offensive "fart" jokes. The entire audience walks out except for the kids who, of course, love it. They immediately go back to school and tell their friends who, in turn, rush off to see the movie. Eventually all of the kids are imitating the on-screen characters and the teachers and parents are consequently beside themselves and eager to find out how the kids learned such foul language.

The parents soon discover that Terrance and Phillip are the culprits and that they are a product of Canada. They assemble a group called "Mothers Against Canada" to declare war on their northern neighbors. Canada retaliates by bombing all the Baldwin Brothers (to the enthusiastic cheer of the audience I might add). Soon the entire United States is up in arms and Terrance and Phillip are arrested and set to be executed. The children's mission is to save them.

There is nothing sacred in Trey Parker, Matt Stone and Pam Brady’s brand of humor. In fact, some of the funniest moments of Bigger, Longer & Uncut are when they poke fun at current day celebrities including Winona Ryder, the Baldwin Brothers, Conan O’Brien, and even Bill Gates (you will likely want to rewind the Bill Gates part a couple times). However, despite the emphasis on comedy, one thing that is rarely mentioned when discussing this movie is that it really is a pseudo-musical! There are about fifteen hilarious musical moments that are tremendously entertaining. Of course, most of them are completely offensive with lyrics as foul mouthed as the dialogue. Still, almost all are great fun to watch and to listen to over and over again. If you’re not careful you may find yourself humming a few of them for days.

What’s unfortunate about this DVD release is that there is almost nothing in the way of extras other than three theatrical trailers. With the vast storage space of the DVD and the rather short running time of this film there is scads of space available for providing some great added material. Yet, there’s nothing to be had and that’s very unfortunate.

As for picture and sound quality, while it is all looks and sounds good, there is nothing outstanding to report. It is merely comparable to television cartoons.

Bigger, Longer & Uncut runs at a neck breaking speed for only 80 minutes. Admittedly, the first half seems rather funnier than the last half. However, I’m not sure if the second half is actually less funny, or if it only seems so because it is impossible to sustain such a high level of humor for the entire length of the film. Perhaps the creators realized this and therefore wisely decided to limit the film's length. In any event, the film never got boring.

In recommending this movie, one thing has to be strongly stated: South Park is only for mature audiences and it is definitely not for children. If you do decide to watch it and you find yourself offended by the first three minutes, then you may as well pop the disc back into its case since the remaining 77 minutes is no less offensive. For established fans of South Park, you'll undoubtedly still want to buy this bare-bones release. For those not so sure, a rental is probably in order. If you’re unsure whether you want to dive into this brand of humor, just ask yourself, "What would Brian Boitano do?"

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