I’ll always remember the place I used to be June 30, 1999. That was the evening I made the unlucky determination to see Will Smith’s Wild Wild West on its opening evening— whereas on a display screen subsequent door, one of my soon-to-be favorite movies had additionally simply been launched. Smith’s film was horrible, however the subsequent evening, I righted that unsuitable and noticed South Park: Larger, Longer & Uncut, and all the pieces has been higher from that second on.
By 1999 South Park was already an extremely in style present however, for one purpose or one other, I didn’t actually watch it. I’d seen some episodes and loved it however I by no means received into it. (I was into Independence Day and Men in Black although, therefore the opening evening determination.) However, I used to be curious to see what a movie model appeared like, particularly with any and all limitations of censorship damaged down.
Sitting down within the theater, I’m undecided I knew this movie was a musical. Possibly I did and I put it out of my thoughts, however I keep in mind immediately being delighted and shocked. At this level in my life, I used to be already an enormous musical fan. The unique West Facet Story was one in all my favorites and I might commonly sing together with films like Aladdin, Little Mermaid, and Lion King. And nonetheless, I used to be not prepared for the movie to be not solely a musical however an all-timer of a musical, that includes banger after banger. All of which I nonetheless actually know each single phrase of, even all these years later.
That first evening although, “Mountain City” could have set the tone, however “Uncle Fucka” introduced down the home. If I shut my eyes, I can nonetheless hear and really feel the theater reverberate with shock and awe throughout the track. Nobody was prepared and that’s actually how Trey Parker and Matt Stone deliberate it. It’s a track so vile, so disgusting, and so hilarious it’s like a punch within the face and abdomen concurrently. Immediately you notice this film is working on a stage you weren’t prepared for. Then you definitely notice the the track and diegetic film it’s in—an R-rated musical model of a TV present, thoughts you—goes to be the catalyst for the remainder of the story, and issues rise to a different stage fully.
Every thing will get wilder and funnier from there and regardless of having seen the film dozens of occasions, watching it this week for its twenty fifth anniversary, I nonetheless discovered myself overwhelmed with pleasure all through and laughing constantly. Which, I’ve to confess, left me extra conflicted than I used to be anticipating.
In 1999, Larger, Longer & Uncut was already extremely offensive. That’s the entire level. However in 2024, the very fact it may be much more offensive appears sadly prophetic. Parker and Stone noticed what censorship and concern of language may do to us. And whereas america by no means declared warfare on Canada over the difficulty prefer it does within the film, at occasions it actually looks like we’re now at warfare with ourselves for that purpose.
That received me pondering just a little deeper. Does my private tolerance for offensive comedy and a perceived capability to differentiate between language used for hate or humor come from being so intimately accustomed to this film? I feel it could play an element. And in that approach, I’m grateful for it. I need to be an individual who understands there’s a line and crossing it’s dangerous. But in addition that tiptoeing on it, if carried out proper, may be hilarious. Like Devil says, “With out evil there may be no good so it have to be good to be evil generally.”
After seeing South Park: Larger, Longer & Uncut in 1999, I went on and continued to find extra of Parker and Stone’s musicals. Cannibal The Musical, for one. Later, I used to be first in line for Team America in addition to The Guide of Mormon. The second two work equally to South Park, pushing boundaries to make actually vital factors, and I really like all of them for it. The South Park movie additionally broadened my understanding of what musicals may be. It’s not a style that may inform just one kind of story. It may well inform any kind of story and, when it’s as good and delightful as South Park, it may be magic.
And so, 25 years after its launch, I nonetheless love South Park: Larger, Longer & Uncut. This time although, one factor had modified throughout my re-watch. After singing the songs, laughing and smiling all through, when the ultimate reprise started, I began to cry. It hit me simply how a lot the film means to me, how lengthy it’s been part of my life, and simply how unbelievable it’s from prime to backside. I’m fairly nostalgic to start with however to really feel that for this film is the opposite factor I didn’t anticipate. What can I say, although? “That film has warped my fragile little thoughts.”
South Park: Larger, Longer & Uncut turns 25 on June 30. Paramount supplied io9 with a duplicate of its model new 4K launch for assessment, and you’ll grab a copy here.
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