Warping Fragile Little Minds
Vulgarity and Racism Overflow in South Park

Last week I gave Wild Wild West a not-so-favorable ranking of 3. I didn't like it much. But after seeing South Park, I'm urging everyone to go see Will Smith and Kevin Kline. Think of it as a community service: I sat through South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut so you don't have to.

Being a movie reviewer means that sooner or later you'll see something that completely offends your sensibilities. Last year, I sat through Gus Van Sant's remake of Alfred Hitchcock's classic Psycho. That offended me as an artist. Sitting through South Park offended me as a human being.

I have seen "South Park" on Comedy Central and while it is often offensive, it can be funny. So, when the movie came out, I figured that sooner or later I should see it. I just had no idea how much Comedy Central reigned in the show's creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone. With the restraint of cable television removed, the cartoon reaches new levels of depravity.

The storyline follows Stan, Kyle, Cartman, and Kenny as they sneak in to see an R-rated movie starring their favorite television stars Terrence and Philip. To the children's amazement, T&P cuss up a storm, using vulgarity in an extended musical sequence that is rightfully appalling. By the time the T&P movie is over, only the kids remain in the theater.

The kids are soon in trouble for using that same vulgar language at school. When asked where they heard it, Cartman confesses that they saw the Terrence and Philip movie. As he says, "That movie has warped my fragile little mind." And so, in a case of art imitating life, the parents of the school decide to save their children by declaring war on T&P. Of course, the whole thing escalates to ridiculous proportions as the U.S. eventually declares war on Canada (home of T&P).

While there is an interesting parallel between South Park and the Terrence and Philip movie, the story is so mired in foul language, vulgar scenarios, and outright offensive attitudes that most people seeing the movie will be too offended to notice. Whether making references to Internet pornography, racism in the military, or homosexuality, the South Park creators always go for the most base and offensive references possible, ignoring the chance to make commentary on real social issues. But then, who wants to make a political statement when you can make money?

It is my personal hope that the success of movies like Star Wars: Episode I and Disney's Tarzan will persuade Hollywood to produce better, cleaner, and more family oriented films in the future. But I'm not holding my breath...

MY RATING: 0 out of 10.

RATED: R
RUN TIME: 80 min.

Warping Fragile Little Minds Vulgarity and Racism Overflow in South Park

Warping Fragile Little Minds
Vulgarity and Racism Overflow in South Park