Team America!!!!!!!!!! - The Orange Mane

Atlas · 10-16-2004, 04:08 AM

AP) -- "Team America: World Police" arrives in theaters with what has to be the most unusual, unprecedented blurblet explaining why it received an R rating from the Motion Picture Association of America.

The movie contains "graphic, crude and sexual humor, violent images and strong language, all involving puppets."

But nothing can prepare you for the hilarity of hot sex between a couple of marionettes -- which almost earned the film an NC-17 rating and will make you laugh so hard, you'll cry -- or for the surprising levelheadedness that emerges from what seems, at least superficially, like wild, wacky satire.

Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the mad geniuses behind "South Park," spare no one from skewering in their all-puppet extravaganza about a globe-trotting team of overly energetic peacekeepers -- not the so-called evildoers, or the self-righteous forces trying to stop them, or the Hollywood stars who feel compelled to use their celebrity to comment on the evildoers and the self-righteous forces trying to stop them.

The result is a film that works on every imaginable level: as a comedy, as sharp political commentary, as a send-up of bombastic action flicks, even as a musical. As in Parker and Stone's 1999 film "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut," some of the most inspired moments come in song, including Team America's rockin' theme, "America, (Expletive) Yeah!" which blares as they blast off in jets from their James Bond-style headquarters hidden inside Mount Rushmore.

That Parker (as director) and Stone (who co-wrote the script with Parker) are equal opportunity offenders is one of the movie's great strengths: They ridicule both Michael Moore and the U.S. government. And by placing their words in the mouths of marionettes, their observations never seem heavy-handed. "Team America" is loud, fast and in-your-face. But in some ways it's also the most balanced and sane political offering in a box office that's stuffed with them.

Visually sharp
It's also a great visual achievement. The puppets' faces are remarkably human and the sets and costumes are impressively detailed; in that way, "Team America" couldn't be more different from the cut-out kitsch of "South Park."

Yet the characters also move with an awkward jerkiness that provides big laughs, especially during the aforementioned sex scene, which takes place between pretty-boy Gary, an actor formerly starring on Broadway in "Lease: The Musical," and Lisa, who specializes in terrorist psychology and has the blond locks and big facial features that call to mind Cybill Shepherd, if Cybill Shepherd were made of wood.

Kim Jong Il is the primary -- but not the only -- villain in "Team America."
At the film's start, Gary is recruited by Spottswoode, the group's silver-haired mentor, to use his acting skills and go undercover as a terrorist to find out when and where the next big attack is planned. (Spottswoode believes Gary is "the perfect weapon" since he's an actor who double majored in theater and world languages at the University of Iowa.)

Gary's crude terrorist transformation consists of some cotton balls dyed black and stuck to his chiseled facial features, a little shoe polish and a bath towel wrapped his head. (Parker and Stone have never exactly been known for being politically correct, so why should they start now?)

Their depiction of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il won't endear them to the Asian community, either -- he whines and mopes about his palace in a powder-blue leisure suit, singing about how lonely he is, but in his heavy accent the word comes out as "rone-ry."

The puppetized actors in the movie won't be happy with their portrayal, either. Alec Baldwin, head of the Film Actors Guild (which is frequently abbreviated -- you can figure it out for yourself), is as madly power-hungry as the terrorists themselves. Janeane Garofalo urges her fellow celebs to read the newspaper and then regurgitate the information as their own opinions. Matt Damon is only capable of shaking his fist and grunting his name.

It all may sound adolescent and goofy, and a lot of the time it is. But "Team America" also may be the best film of the year. It's easily the funniest.

"Team America: World Police," a Paramount Pictures release, is rated R for graphic, crude and sexual humor, violent images and strong language, all involving puppets.

Sideburn · 10-16-2004, 07:41 PM

Yeah I went and saw this last night (opening night) and it's friggin hilarious. Kinda sucked that I'm sick, because I don't remember a time where I stopped laughing which created extreme coughing. The storyline is actually pretty good, and when you think about the work put into this movie (using puppets) you gain a little bit of respect for the people involved. So many people get busted on in this movie from Alec Baldwin, to umm, well everyone. Every Liberal actor gets destroyed in this movie, Kim jung Il is freaking hilarious. The songs are great (actually not enough songs).
The Good: Liberal actors being made fun of especially Matt Damon.
The Bad: Finding myself liking a southpark version of Kim Jung Il.
The Ugly: Watching a few minutes worth of raunchy puppet sex with positions such as Missionary, Doggy, cowgirl, reverse cowgirl, more doggy, more missionary, and of course piledriver.
In the end, I give this one 4.5 stars out of 5. It had me rolling the entire time. No one escapes being made fun of. It is easily one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. And the use of puppets made it even more hilarious. Can't wait for the DVD.

DB-Freak · 10-16-2004, 08:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sideburn

Yeah I went and saw this last night (opening night) and it's friggin hilarious. Kinda sucked that I'm sick, because I don't remember a time where I stopped laughing which created extreme coughing. The storyline is actually pretty good, and when you think about the work put into this movie (using puppets) you gain a little bit of respect for the people involved. So many people get busted on in this movie from Alec Baldwin, to umm, well everyone. Every Liberal actor gets destroyed in this movie, Kim jung Il is freaking hilarious. The songs are great (actually not enough songs).
The Good: Liberal actors being made fun of especially Matt Damon.
The Bad: Finding myself liking a southpark version of Kim Jung Il.
The Ugly: Watching a few minutes worth of raunchy puppet sex with positions such as Missionary, Doggy, cowgirl, reverse cowgirl, more doggy, more missionary, and of course piledriver.
In the end, I give this one 4.5 stars out of 5. It had me rolling the entire time. No one escapes being made fun of. It is easily one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. And the use of puppets made it even more hilarious. Can't wait for the DVD.

Right wingers to Liberals so many of them. Man it was a great movie. The sex was somewhat sickening and funny i guess. King Jung Il(not really him but who cares) was the star of this movie. Man it was hysterical. This movie made fun of too many people though. I wished they got more into the characters. BUt w.e

Great movie. Go see it. Moderates like me will like this movie.

Sideburn · 10-16-2004, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freekofnature

Right wingers to Liberals so many of them. Man it was a great movie. The sex was somewhat sickening and funny i guess. King Jung Il(not really him but who cares) was the star of this movie. Man it was hysterical. This movie made fun of too many people though. I wished they got more into the characters. BUt w.e

Great movie. Go see it. Moderates like me will like this movie.

I was shocked that there wasn't a Dubya puppet. That would have added a little bit more to it. I agree about the lack of character depth, but we have to remember it was puppets...and it's hard for a puppet to show emotion. Kim Jung Il singing I'm so lonely was great. And the country music satire of Do you remember was hilarious. Oh yeah, I forgot about the vomiting part...that was IMO the worst part. It was funny as hell, but really really disgusting.

Pezman · 10-16-2004, 09:29 PM

Dammit, I flew to Oklahoma today just to catch this movie and during the entire movie, some fool just kept coughing and coughing and coughing

But, seriously, I can't wait to catch it later... I'll be catching the late show tomorrow methinks...

Sideburn · 10-16-2004, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pezman

Dammit, I flew to Oklahoma today just to catch this movie and during the entire movie, some fool just kept coughing and coughing and coughing

But, seriously, I can't wait to catch it later... I'll be catching the late show tomorrow methinks...

You've got to see this movie. If anyone can enjoy it, I think you can. Matt and Trey have outdone themselves this time.

Sideburn · 10-16-2004, 10:11 PM

Even while working on the movie. Trey still showed his love for the Broncos.

Popps · 10-17-2004, 12:18 AM

Seeing it tonight after the games. Can't friggin' wait.

Crushaholic · 10-21-2004, 09:33 PM

I saw it tonight. I thought it was a bit stupid until they introduced the celebrities into the mix. Then it picked up and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, Kim Jong Il was hysterical.

Popps · 10-22-2004, 11:26 AM

Brilliant.

The songs alone are worth admission.

Stone/Parker managed to make a more realistic commentary on the current global climate with puppets than fat boy could make with hours of "documentary" footage.
Plus, it was actually entertaining.

Even better, it crapped all over the Hollywood elite through the whole movie. Even the team America "star" had to.... well, I won't ruin it for you.

Great stuff. Refreshing as hell.

Goobzilla · 10-23-2004, 10:34 AM

Best...Puppet...Movie...EVER!

Hilarious. "Freedom costs a buck oh five"

The wife and I enjoyed it tremendously, the puppet sex scene is a cinematic triumph.

Ron

RhymesayersDU · 10-23-2004, 01:29 PM

Question: Is it just a lot of Bush bashing, or does it make fun of different groups/people?

Sideburn · 10-23-2004, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhymesayersDU

Question: Is it just a lot of Bush bashing, or does it make fun of different groups/people?

Honestly, I didn't notice any bush bashing. Not direct anyways. I was looking forward to atleast a Bush puppet, but alas, he wasn't in it. They really tear up the hollywood elite, which is beyond great. Just a damn good movie. I don't remember a part where I didn't laugh. Even if you just watch the puppet movements...those crack you up too.

Crushaholic · 10-24-2004, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RhymesayersDU

Question: Is it just a lot of Bush bashing, or does it make fun of different groups/people?

They get in a couple of good jokes about bad intelligence when it comes to WMDs. However, they don't mention Bush or Kerry. There's a lot of celebrity bashing, though...

Clockwork Orange · 10-23-2004, 03:41 PM

If Parker & Stone hold true to form they'll make fun of everyone.

Much like the goobacks episode of South Park (They took our jerbs!) when they referred to one side as, "pissed off redneck conservative" and the other as, "aging hippie liberal douche."

I'm sure Team America will be no different. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

missingnumber7 · 10-24-2004, 09:43 PM

I need to watch it again...thank god for limewire. As was already said the Songs were worth it alone. The funniest thing was the Michael Moore. And it really didn't have anything to do with bashing which side he supported...just bashed him. Was about like the cartoon on Comedy Central where they apologize if they haven't made fun of you yet...cuz they hit about everyone.

10-16-2004, 04:08 AM	#1
Atlas Draft Defense Early&Often Join Date: Oct 2004 Posts: 18,526	Team America!!!!!!!!!! AP) -- "Team America: World Police" arrives in theaters with what has to be the most unusual, unprecedented blurblet explaining why it received an R rating from the Motion Picture Association of America. The movie contains "graphic, crude and sexual humor, violent images and strong language, all involving puppets." But nothing can prepare you for the hilarity of hot sex between a couple of marionettes -- which almost earned the film an NC-17 rating and will make you laugh so hard, you'll cry -- or for the surprising levelheadedness that emerges from what seems, at least superficially, like wild, wacky satire. Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the mad geniuses behind "South Park," spare no one from skewering in their all-puppet extravaganza about a globe-trotting team of overly energetic peacekeepers -- not the so-called evildoers, or the self-righteous forces trying to stop them, or the Hollywood stars who feel compelled to use their celebrity to comment on the evildoers and the self-righteous forces trying to stop them. The result is a film that works on every imaginable level: as a comedy, as sharp political commentary, as a send-up of bombastic action flicks, even as a musical. As in Parker and Stone's 1999 film "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut," some of the most inspired moments come in song, including Team America's rockin' theme, "America, (Expletive) Yeah!" which blares as they blast off in jets from their James Bond-style headquarters hidden inside Mount Rushmore. That Parker (as director) and Stone (who co-wrote the script with Parker) are equal opportunity offenders is one of the movie's great strengths: They ridicule both Michael Moore and the U.S. government. And by placing their words in the mouths of marionettes, their observations never seem heavy-handed. "Team America" is loud, fast and in-your-face. But in some ways it's also the most balanced and sane political offering in a box office that's stuffed with them. Visually sharp It's also a great visual achievement. The puppets' faces are remarkably human and the sets and costumes are impressively detailed; in that way, "Team America" couldn't be more different from the cut-out kitsch of "South Park." Yet the characters also move with an awkward jerkiness that provides big laughs, especially during the aforementioned sex scene, which takes place between pretty-boy Gary, an actor formerly starring on Broadway in "Lease: The Musical," and Lisa, who specializes in terrorist psychology and has the blond locks and big facial features that call to mind Cybill Shepherd, if Cybill Shepherd were made of wood. Kim Jong Il is the primary -- but not the only -- villain in "Team America." At the film's start, Gary is recruited by Spottswoode, the group's silver-haired mentor, to use his acting skills and go undercover as a terrorist to find out when and where the next big attack is planned. (Spottswoode believes Gary is "the perfect weapon" since he's an actor who double majored in theater and world languages at the University of Iowa.) Gary's crude terrorist transformation consists of some cotton balls dyed black and stuck to his chiseled facial features, a little shoe polish and a bath towel wrapped his head. (Parker and Stone have never exactly been known for being politically correct, so why should they start now?) Their depiction of North Korean leader Kim Jong Il won't endear them to the Asian community, either -- he whines and mopes about his palace in a powder-blue leisure suit, singing about how lonely he is, but in his heavy accent the word comes out as "rone-ry." The puppetized actors in the movie won't be happy with their portrayal, either. Alec Baldwin, head of the Film Actors Guild (which is frequently abbreviated -- you can figure it out for yourself), is as madly power-hungry as the terrorists themselves. Janeane Garofalo urges her fellow celebs to read the newspaper and then regurgitate the information as their own opinions. Matt Damon is only capable of shaking his fist and grunting his name. It all may sound adolescent and goofy, and a lot of the time it is. But "Team America" also may be the best film of the year. It's easily the funniest. "Team America: World Police," a Paramount Pictures release, is rated R for graphic, crude and sexual humor, violent images and strong language, all involving puppets.

10-16-2004, 07:41 PM	#2
Sideburn Thanks for the memories Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 3,390	Yeah I went and saw this last night (opening night) and it's friggin hilarious. Kinda sucked that I'm sick, because I don't remember a time where I stopped laughing which created extreme coughing. The storyline is actually pretty good, and when you think about the work put into this movie (using puppets) you gain a little bit of respect for the people involved. So many people get busted on in this movie from Alec Baldwin, to umm, well everyone. Every Liberal actor gets destroyed in this movie, Kim jung Il is freaking hilarious. The songs are great (actually not enough songs). The Good: Liberal actors being made fun of especially Matt Damon. The Bad: Finding myself liking a southpark version of Kim Jung Il. The Ugly: Watching a few minutes worth of raunchy puppet sex with positions such as Missionary, Doggy, cowgirl, reverse cowgirl, more doggy, more missionary, and of course piledriver. In the end, I give this one 4.5 stars out of 5. It had me rolling the entire time. No one escapes being made fun of. It is easily one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. And the use of puppets made it even more hilarious. Can't wait for the DVD. __________________ The 2004 Neck Pony Nation / Orangemane Fantasy Football Champion Sideburn's Evil Head Brigade (14-1)

10-16-2004, 09:29 PM	#5
Pezman Livin the dream Andy did you hear about this one? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Smoggy SoCal Posts: 9,833 Adopt-a-Bronco: DJ Williams	Dammit, I flew to Oklahoma today just to catch this movie and during the entire movie, some fool just kept coughing and coughing and coughing But, seriously, I can't wait to catch it later... I'll be catching the late show tomorrow methinks... __________________ Sitting on a beach, earning 20%

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

10-17-2004, 12:18 AM	#8
Popps TEAM FIRST. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29,786	Seeing it tonight after the games. Can't friggin' wait.

10-21-2004, 09:33 PM	#9
Crushaholic Armchair Poster Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Topeka, KS Posts: 22,044	I saw it tonight. I thought it was a bit stupid until they introduced the celebrities into the mix. Then it picked up and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Also, Kim Jong Il was hysterical.

10-22-2004, 11:26 AM	#10
Popps TEAM FIRST. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 29,786	Brilliant. The songs alone are worth admission. Stone/Parker managed to make a more realistic commentary on the current global climate with puppets than fat boy could make with hours of "documentary" footage. Plus, it was actually entertaining. Even better, it crapped all over the Hollywood elite through the whole movie. Even the team America "star" had to.... well, I won't ruin it for you. Great stuff. Refreshing as hell.

10-23-2004, 10:34 AM	#11
Goobzilla Lights Out B*h! BA-ZING!!** Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Wellington Posts: 6,526 Adopt-a-Bronco: Mitch Erickson	Best...Puppet...Movie...EVER! Hilarious. "Freedom costs a buck oh five" The wife and I enjoyed it tremendously, the puppet sex scene is a cinematic triumph. Ron

10-23-2004, 01:29 PM	#12
RhymesayersDU Go Broncos, Nuggets, Rox GANGNAM STYLE Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Back In The 303! Posts: 14,813 Adopt-a-Bronco: Ty Lawson	Question: Is it just a lot of Bush bashing, or does it make fun of different groups/people?

10-23-2004, 03:41 PM	#15
Clockwork Orange Persona Non Grata I seen him! Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 21,438	If Parker & Stone hold true to form they'll make fun of everyone. Much like the goobacks episode of South Park (They took our jerbs!) when they referred to one side as, "pissed off redneck conservative" and the other as, "aging hippie liberal douche." I'm sure Team America will be no different. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

10-24-2004, 09:43 PM	#16
missingnumber7 Vote Joe Mays to Pro Bowl Joe 4 Pro Bowl ST's Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Bismarck Posts: 4,760 Adopt-a-Bronco: Joe Mays	I need to watch it again...thank god for limewire. As was already said the Songs were worth it alone. The funniest thing was the Michael Moore. And it really didn't have anything to do with bashing which side he supported...just bashed him. Was about like the cartoon on Comedy Central where they apologize if they haven't made fun of you yet...cuz they hit about everyone.