film: review

> TEAM AMERICA: WORLD POLICE (2004)
The creators of South Park go after terrorism and Hollywood

By John C. Lyons
Film Critic

Team America

Starring (voices): Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Kristen Miller and more

Directed by: Trey Parker

Written by: Trey Parker and Pam Brady

Genre: Comedy/Action

Our Rating: 8/10

Trey Parker and Matt Stone are masters at entertaining while pushing their material to the rudest and crudest limits. Five years have passed since their last movie South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut left people offended and rolling in the isles, even landing them an Oscar nom for their songwriting skills. Team America: World Police is no different. The songs are hilarious, the material timely, and no group is left unscathed in this $30 million marionette movie.

The opening shot is a hilarious teaser as terribly-made puppets poorly act out a brief scene in front of a badly drawn Paris, France (that’s 3,615 miles or so east of America), the shot pulls away however to show the true quality of the film as Team America crashes the turban-wearing terrorist’s party, destroying them in a stylized, super cool, explosive battle, as well as the Eiffel tower, the Louvre, and other famous landmarks. They assure the French people (all now staring at them in shock) that they are safe, but the clichés continue as one member is killed by a lone surviving terrorist while asking for another team member (Lisa) to marry him. Back at the base and over cocktails, the team leader (Spottswoode) suggests adding America’s best actor (Gary Johnston) to the team in order to infiltrate the terrorists and the mayhem continues.

Team America: World Police takes aim more at actors and brainless action movies than politicians. Although jabs at the UN, Michael Moore, and our Intelligence system are well done. Parker and Stone originally wanted to remake The Day After Tomorrow script using all puppets because they thought the script was hilarious. When that wouldn’t happen, they decided to make a cliché-ridden Michael Bay/Jerry Bruckheimer action film. This film is violent, offensive, profane, and f*cking hilarious. Keep in mind this movie had to go back to the MPAA twelve times before it was able to earn an R-rating. Whenever it felt like it was dragging a bit, a puppet would start puking violently, proposition another for oral sex, or break into song (“America….F*ck yeah!”). I wish these guys would make more movies, but at least we still have South Park in between the gaps!

I saw this film at Cinemark’s Tinseltown 17 Theatres on Peach Street in Erie, PA.

 

(04-1021)

related links:
Tean America - official site

MPAA rating: R
for graphic crude and sexual behavior, violent images and strong language - all involving puppets

length: 100 minutes

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