"At 25, South Park Movie: Extended, Expanded & Untamed Continues to Twist Our Sensitive Thought Processes"
June 30, 1999: A day that'll forever be etched in my memory. It was the night I made the blunder of attending Will Smith's Wild Wild West, while next door, one of my all-time favorite films unveiled itself. Regrets soon turned into ecstasy the very next night when I caught South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut. Ever since that moment, life's been sweeter.
Back in 1999, South Park was already a household name. Yet, strangely enough, I hadn't delved much into the series. (I was into Independence Day and Men in Black, after all, so perhaps that explains my opening night faux pas.) Regardless, curiosity was piqued, and I wanted to witness the big-screen spectacle of this TV show-turned-film, especially with the barriers of censorship knocked down.
As I settled into my theater seat, I confess, I had no idea this was going to be a musical. Perhaps it slipped my mind, but the minute those first notes started playing, I inevitably found myself grinning ear to ear. Musicals had already stolen my heart, with West Side Story being one of my all-time favorites. I'd regularly belt out the tunes of Aladdin, Little Mermaid, and Lion King. But I was not prepared for the sheer brilliance of this film's soundtrack - one that I still know every single word to, more than two decades later.
That first night, "Mountain Town" may have set the tone, but "Uncle Fucka" stole the show. It was a song so vile, so disgusting, and so hilarious it felt like a punch in the face and stomach simultaneously. The theater erupted in shock and awe – just how Trey Parker and Matt Stone planned it. It became clear that this movie was operating on an entirely new level, and just when I thought it couldn't get any wilder or funnier, it did.
Now, two and a half decades later as I watched it again to commemorate its 25th anniversary, I found myself laughing consistently and feeling nothing but sheer joy. It left me more conflicted than I expected.
By 1999, Bigger, Longer & Uncut was already incredibly offensive. But in 2024, the idea that it might be even more so seems tragically prophetic. Parker and Stone knew what censorship and fear of language could do to us. While the U.S. never declared war on Canada like in the movie, at times it certainly feels like we're fighting our own battles because of it.
This led me to ponder a bit deeper. Does my tolerance for offensive comedy and my ability to distinguish between language used for hate or humor stem from my familiarity with this movie? It very well might. I am grateful for it, as it's made me a person who understands there is a line, but crossing it can be cleverly hysterical. As Satan sings in the film, "Without evil there can be no good, so it must be good to be evil sometimes."
Following my first viewing, I continued my journey into Parker and Stone's musical world. Their earlier work, Cannibal The Musical, quickly became a favorite too. And come the release of Team America and The Book of Mormon, I was first in line. Both films shared the same style as South Park, pushing boundaries while making essential points, and I adore them for it.
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut expanded my understanding of what musicals can be. They can tell any type of story, and when they're as smart and beautiful as South Park, they can be enchanting. After all these years, the film doesn't lose its charm. During my latest watch, one thing was different - after singing along, laughing, and smiling throughout, I felt tears pricking at my eyes during the final reprise. It struck me just how much this movie means to me, how long it's been a part of my life, and how incredibly special it is from top to bottom. It's not just a movie; it's a piece of me.
South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut turns 25 on June 30. If you haven't experienced the magic for yourself yet, Paramount has graciously provided io9 with a copy of its beautifully remastered 4K release for review. Don't miss out. Grab a copy here.
Looking for more io9 fun? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
- In 1999, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, with its brilliant soundtrack and offensive humor, expanded my understanding of what musicals can be.
- As I rewatched the movie on its 25th anniversary, I found myself laughing and feeling joy, but also tears pricking at my eyes, reminding me of how much this movie means to me and how long it's been a part of my life.
- If you haven't experienced the magic of South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut yet, Paramount has graciously provided io9 with a copy of its beautifully remastered 4K release for review.
- In the future, with advancements in technology, perhaps movies like South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut will push boundaries even further, providing us with more enchanting and thought-provoking entertainment.
