Review of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut

Video

The first unusual thing about this movie is that whilst rendered using expensive 3D technology, it looks like hand animated paper cutouts. The other unusual thing, is it actually contains some stunning 3D graphics intermixed with the very same cutouts.

I didn`t see this at the cinema, really not expecting the big screen to add anything to the experience, and to be truthful it doesn`t. The transfer quality is good, although it would be hard for any decent authoring house to muck up. Although as long as there wasnt any severe compression artifacts, you might not notice anyway.

Visually, the characters are very appealing, and you even get to see Kenny without his hooded anorak on. Timing on the visual jokes is spot on, and the 3D sequences involving hell are almost as good as those in Spawn.

Audio

Considering most of the series is pretty much in mono, with the exception of occasional songs, its great to hear South Park the movie in Dolby Digital. Everything from the polished production behind the songs, crowd scenes and various hell sequences are just fab. Its a shame the weekly series can`t match this!

The songs are brilliant, just as well since they seem to fill at least half of the viewing time. Each one is incredibly catchy, no matter what its content and the volume of swearing it holds. And yes, you do get to hear Kyle`s Mum is a Stupid Bitch in D Minor, remixed so its an even bigger pleasure on your ears.

Oh, and before you ask, no there isn`t bleeping over the swear words. There are over 130 uses of obscenity and foul language according to dull religious groups with too much time on their hands, and unlike the series finally we get to hear them said without annoying tone over the top.

Features

The only thing you get apart from the movie here, is three trailers, and yes they are nice to have. Menus are pretty basic, but this is hardly going to be even in the middle of your pile when it comes to demonstrating what can be done with the format.

Conclusion

So is this worth recommending? If you found the first season of South Park funny you are going to love this, It`s the characters you love at their funniest and uncensored. Whether the style of humour can convert anyone that didn`t find the antics of Stan, Kyle, Cartman and Kenny hilarious is debatable.

This is essentially a typical top South Park episode, strung out across a full 90 minutes and having the extra time filled with incredibly well crafted songs, some of which are excellent p*** takes striking at the heart of the Disney empire. Where as many a TV show drags when extended to feature length, this one certainly doesn`t.

Very funny stuff, the cameos from the likes of George Clooney are great, and this disc is worth buying for the section involving Bill Gates alone. Had me in hysterics for an hour and a half, and I`d be suprised if it didnt at least leave a smile on the face of anyone watching it. Just don`t let the kiddies get a hold of this whatever you do, or they`ll be singing "Shut your f***in` face uncle f***er" for months.