Team America: World Police

Just when we were starting to take this election seriously"¦.in come Matt and Trey to set us straight. For the love of god, most of us even watched the debates! Our necks strain from the back and forth match of name calling, 'I'll counter your Michael Moore with my Swift-Boat-Veteran!' What the hell have we come to? We're American's"¦we're not supposed to give a crap about politics, especially not while The Real World is on! But for some reason, we are interested this election year. Some say our country is as bitterly divided as it has ever been. We need a common ground on which we can come together, and Matt Stone and Trey Parker have found it. They now that besides our differences of opinion, we can all agree on this thing"¦killing terrorists and puppet sex are in!

Team America comes from the genius minds that brought us the film and television phenomena of South Park, Baseketball ,Orgazmo, and That's My Bush. The differences between this and their previous works are obvious"¦I hope. Team America's political and pop satire are only heightened by the use of two foot tall marionettes ala Thunderbirds to tell the story. Matt and Trey originally wanted to reproduce the nature thriller The Day After Tomorrow entirely with puppets. As awesome as that would have been, the idea was promptly shot down. Instead, they diverted to what they do best"¦showing us just how lame we all can be.

Before we get started on some plot reasons for you to see the movie, let me say this. I haven't laughed this hard in the theatre since I saw Van Helsing"¦no, seriously it's that hilarious. As the years have gone by in the South Park series, even the average viewer can see how Matt and Trey have become very skilled at weaving in messages with a very current undertone. They use and refine that same skill in this film, making you leave the theatre with a sense of 'Damn, I guess everything really is that simple'. Congratulations to Matt and Trey for proving that satire, be it crude of soft, is a great way to get your point across.

In the new global war on terrorism, America is in desperate need of heroes. No need for worry compatriots"¦here comes Team America. Headed by the wise and experienced Spottswoode, the Team finds themselves in trouble when terrorists are beginning to arm themselves with the dreaded W.M.D. They need a man with the ability to go undercover and find out where the terrorist bastards are getting their weapons. Who can they turn to? Who are the most heroic and noble beings on the face of America? Yes, that's

it! They need an actor! As Spotswoode tries to recruit Gary Johnston, famed American actor, Kin Jong Il maneuvers to take control of the terrorist organizations to rule the world. Will Gary join the Team? Can he be all that he can be"¦for freedom? Only Kim Jong Il and Alec Baldwin stand in his way. Let freedom soar!

The film is literally laced with pop culture and political fodder that will hit a chord with anyone who doesn't live under a rock these days. You may be surprised to know that no one is off limits in this tirade. Liberals, conservatives, Americans and foreigners all get equally harsh treatment from Matt and Trey. This is quite a refreshing take which allows you to take a real good look at yourself no matter where you stand on the "issues". The most daring poke is to the Hollywood actors or 'Film Actors Guild' (F.A.G) who try to pacify any violence with"¦well, violence. Among the those caricatured are Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Robbins, Matt Damon, and who can forget"¦Michael Moore.

Trey Parker is once again all over the place on this project. He directed, co-produced, co-wrote, voiced over half of the characters, and wrote and performed most of the songs. The soundtrack may just be the feather in Trey's cap with songs like "America, F**k Yeah!" and "I'm So Ronery" which may very well be up for an Oscar just like "Blame Canada" was. Matt stone has his shining moments as well, and we may never know how far their collaboration runs, but Trey really took the reigns on this one. You won't be disappointed.

In the end, dude it's a sweet action movie with puppets"¦what are you still doing at your computer? Go see it! Bring a change of trousers because you may very well piss yourself. And who knows, you might just learn something about being an American.

Movie Grade: A

Generating an all new marionette action genre, the creative minds behind “South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut,” have assembled an entirely wooden cast as a daring team of puppets who thwart the world’s evil forces, including every ilk of enemy from terrorists to washed-up celebrities. — © Paramount Pictures