Opening with a beautiful song, introducing us to the wonderful town of South
Park, the film lets fly with an unexpected onslaught of offensiveness and filth
having an intensity comparable to the opening scenes of
Saving Private Ryan.
And the pace and disrespect are sustained throughout much of the film although
the remainder seems pale in comparison to its in your face opening.
This is a superb vehicle for disecting the role of censorship en masse; the
original spirit of South Park, the TV series, is preserved whilst taking the
message to the extreme and, whilst it does so, it rips the p--s out of numerous
stereotypes and other films along the way, and itself.
The embedded Asses of Fire film showing emulates Springtime for
Hitler, but with a spirit and power beyond even the original concept;
people really did walk out of cinemas according to many news reports.
And that sums up South Park neatly.
It may be obscene, it may be offensive, but it makes its message quite clear
along the way; why the f--k are you censoring, "F--k" ?
Its creators have pushed what they can show and say to the limit, they have
tested the censors and they have challenged the audience.
Showing, in the UK, at the same time as Kubrick's last film, Eyes Wide
Shut, it enables stark comparisons to be made. Kubrick has,
by all accounts, produced a classic film on the subject of morality, and is
praised for his efforts, South Park, on the other hand, risks condemnation for
its crudity and offensiveness.
Whilst many flock to see Kubrick's masterpiece to gain a chance to see
Nicole Kidman, full frontal, naked, South Park is vilifiled for its
filth.
Whilst Kubrick's tale questions morality on a personal level, South Park
considers the issue in more global terms.
If South Park is seen as nothing more than offensively amusing, much
like Derek and Clive were, then you are missing half the message.
If you don't see that the film itself as an onslaught against, and a questioning
of, censorship then you have only seen a small part of the hidden message.
See the film twice; once to enjoy it or be entirely offended, then see it again
to understand its deeper and important message.
Words aren't offensive; actions are.
M'kay.
