Thursday, October 28, 2004

"Team America:" Freedom...With Strings Attached

Psssst.

Hey. You. C'mere. You wanna see some puppets hump? Yeah! For real. I also got puppets puking a keg's worth of green soup. C'mon. Check it out.

Well, you can check that out and much more in "South Park" authors and provocateurs Trey Parker and Matt Stone's new film, Team America: World Police. The movie literally stars visibly-stringed marionettes, voiced by their creators, as Team America, an elite task force whose main goal is to kill WMD-wielding terrorists, without prejudice, no matter where in the world they may be hiding. The biggest shock value delivered by the movie has nothing to do with the Meet The Feebles-inspired inanimate shenanigans illustrated above. That honor instead goes to the amazing irony that, despite it being conceived, created and watched in a post-9/11 world, the movie has less to do with that post-9/11 world and more to do with a satirical, biting look at Hollywood and the famous, overly outspoken, self-important actors who live there.

Consider this: there is no mention or direct reference to the following in Team America: President Bush, or any real or fake American President for that matter; Senator Kerry; the election; the words Republican, Democrat or any political party; there is no mention of any Armed Forces beyond Team America, meaning no stereotyped, stuffy, war-mongering Dr. Strangelove generals. Iraq is mentioned, and only barely, twice. In further eye-winking irony, 9/11 is mentioned many times (as part of what becomes an increasingly tired joke) as a numeral, not an event. While it could be argued that the focus on terrorism, weapons of mass destruction and a "World Police" type American foriegn policy put the film squarely in a post 9/11 context, I would argue that those issues were around and were a consideration well before September 11th. Indeed, what at first seems to be a mockery of America's "World Police" policy ends up vindicatation by the time the credits roll. What the current global and political environment does allow, is a perfect womb for this film to be born and to be popular.

What's more readily apparent in the movie are Parker and Stone's desire to skewer and satire Hollywood and the soapboxing actors who live in richly in them thar Hills. For anyone even moderately familiar with South Park, this is not new territory for them; I can recall recent episodes of that show where Rob Reiner, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg were targets for their caustic wit. This time, Parker and Stone aim their sharp darts at the more liberal, peace-loving celebrity element, whom they count Alec Baldwin, Tim Robbins, Susan Sarandon, Michael Moore, Sean Penn and a half-retarded (and funny) Matt Damon among its ranks. Formulaic Bruckheimerian action films and more specifically war movies like Pearl Harbor receive similar satirical treatment in song as well as the purposefully brainless tone of the action sequences and some of the dialogue thorughout the movie. But it is those actors, however, that receive more of the pointed and poisoned focus for Parker and Stone. It is highly refreshing that this duo can move past back-patting and ass-kissing, remove any fear of killing their careers and put this piece out. Even more refreshing is knowing the movie was put out by the same Hollywood machine that is at the very core of these rogues' barbs. Oh, by the way, the movie is damn funny, too.

The main message I got from Team America, is that it is impossible to have an important political or world opinion if you are rich, self-important and dining on caviar served by your personal chef; especially when you are only well-known because you play make-believe on celluloid (Playing fake? Perhaps the motivation for puppet usage?). This message provides an even greater argument as to why Parker and Stone could not create an overtly political film; they would have been skewering themselves. Ultimately, the lone actor in the film who makes a difference is the one who shuts his mouth and jumps into the action...the REAL action. An even clearer message is conveyed when you consider that this character is the only actor portrayed in the film who is, in reality, fictional.









33 comments:

Anonymous said...

Cool blog mr :) i have a site to on Mp3 downloads maybe we could exchange links TAKE CARE JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Hi JollyG15 i was just passing by reading blogs just getting the idea of how blogs should be anyways i got a site on Free mp3zz see if i am good to be a webmaster Ps2 cheat codes and keep putting blogs like with good content in future to :)bye

Anonymous said...

Cool blog mr :) i have a site to on Free mp3 downloads maybe we could exchange links TAKE CARE JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Hi JollyG15. I was looking for free movie downloads related information and came across your blog. Very good reading! I have a free movie downloads site. In addition to movie downloads, you can find options for downloading various movie players. Check it out when you can :)

Anonymous said...

Hi JollyG15 i was just passing by reading blogs just getting the idea of how blogs should be anyways i got a site on Free mp3zz see if i am good to be a webmaster Mp3 downloads and keep putting blogs like with good content in future to :)bye

Anonymous said...

Hi JollyG15 i was just passing by reading blogs just getting the idea of how blogs should be anyways i got a site on Free mp3zz see if i am good to be a webmaster Mp3 downloads and keep putting blogs like with good content in future to :)bye

Anonymous said...

Hello JollyG15 just trying to find some blogs on Free mp3 downloads the same keywords that i have check OUT mye page maybe i can get some good ideas from you i am just a new to making pages one of my lifes best hobbies okeii take care JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Cool blog mr :) i have a site to on Free mp3 downloads maybe we could exchange links TAKE CARE JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Hi JollyG15 i was just passing by reading blogs just getting the idea of how blogs should be anyways i got a site on Free mp3zz see if i am good to be a webmaster Free mp3 downloads and keep putting blogs like with good content in future to :)bye

Anonymous said...

Hi JollyG15 i was just passing by reading blogs just getting the idea of how blogs should be anyways i got a site on Free mp3zz see if i am good to be a webmaster Keyshia cole mp3 and keep putting blogs like with good content in future to :)bye

Anonymous said...

Hello JollyG15 just trying to find some blogs on Cheatcodes the same keywords that i have check OUT mye page maybe i can get some good ideas from you i am just a new to making pages one of my lifes best hobbies okeii take care JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Cool blog mr :) i have a site to on Cheatcodes maybe we could exchange links TAKE CARE JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Hello JollyG15 just trying to find some blogs on Keyshia cole mp3 the same keywords that i have check OUT mye page maybe i can get some good ideas from you i am just a new to making pages one of my lifes best hobbies okeii take care JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Cool blog mr :) i have a site to on Cheatcodes maybe we could exchange links TAKE CARE JollyG15

Home Site said...

JollyG15 On health problem like Acid Reflux Diet, I hope I am not getting off topic here but Gastroesophageal reflux disease, commonly referred to as GERD, or acid reflux, is a condition in which the liquid content of the stomach regurgitates (backs up, or refluxes) into the esophagus.I have suffered from this myself The liquid can inflame and damage the lining of the esophagus although this occurs in a minority of patients.Anyone who has also suffered from acid reflux knows the pain one feels.I have a site about this at Acid Reflux Diet. Anyway enjoyed your site will return soon.

Anonymous said...

Cool blog mr :) i have a site to on Sean and paul and mp3 and download maybe we could exchange links TAKE CARE JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Cool blog mr :) i have a site to on Cheatcodes maybe we could exchange links TAKE CARE JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Hello JollyG15 just trying to find some blogs on Sean and paul and mp3 and download the same keywords that i have check OUT mye page maybe i can get some good ideas from you i am just a new to making pages one of my lifes best hobbies okeii take care JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Cool blog mr :) i have a site to on Sean and paul and mp3 and download maybe we could exchange links TAKE CARE JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Hello JollyG15 just trying to find some blogs on Cheatcodes the same keywords that i have check OUT mye page maybe i can get some good ideas from you i am just a new to making pages one of my lifes best hobbies okeii take care JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Hello JollyG15 just trying to find some blogs on Sean and paul and mp3 and download the same keywords that i have check OUT mye page maybe i can get some good ideas from you i am just a new to making pages one of my lifes best hobbies okeii take care JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Hello JollyG15 just trying to find some blogs on Keyshia cole mp3 the same keywords that i have check OUT mye page maybe i can get some good ideas from you i am just a new to making pages one of my lifes best hobbies okeii take care JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Cool blog mr :) i have a site to on Cheatcodes maybe we could exchange links TAKE CARE JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Hi JollyG15 i was just passing by reading blogs just getting the idea of how blogs should be anyways i got a site on Free mp3zz see if i am good to be a webmaster Keyshia cole mp3 and keep putting blogs like with good content in future to :)bye

Anonymous said...

Cool blog mr :) i have a site to on Cheatcodes maybe we could exchange links TAKE CARE JollyG15

Anonymous said...

Fantastic blog you've got here JollyG15, I was looking for free movie downloads related information and found your site. I have a free movie downloads site. In addition to movie downloads, you can find options for downloading various movie players. Stop by and check it out when you can.

Anonymous said...

Hi there JollyG15, I was just browsing, looking for movie download websites related information and found your blog. Very Nice! I have a movie download websites site. In addition to movie downloads, you can find options for downloading various movie players. Please visit, check it out and enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Hi there JollyG15, I was just browsing, looking for movie downloads related information and found your blog. Very Nice! I have a movie downloads site. In addition to movie downloads, you can find options for downloading various movie players. Please visit, check it out and enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Hi there JollyG15, I was just browsing, looking for movie downloads related information and found your blog. Very Nice! I have a movie downloads site. In addition to movie downloads, you can find options for downloading various movie players. Please visit, check it out and enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Fantastic blog you've got here JollyG15, I was looking for movie downloads related information and found your site. I have a movie downloads site. In addition to movie downloads, you can find options for downloading various movie players. Stop by and check it out when you can.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading some of your posts JollyG15. I was looking for movie download websites related information and found your blog. I have a movie download websites site. In addition to movie downloads, you can find options for downloading various movie players. Come and check it out if you get time :-)

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed reading some of your posts JollyG15. I was looking for movie download websites related information and found your blog. I have a movie download websites site. In addition to movie downloads, you can find options for downloading various movie players. Come and check it out if you get time :-)

Anonymous said...

Hi JollyG15, very unique blog you have! I was looking for free movie downloads related information and came across your site. Very good info, I'm definitely going to bookmark you! I have a free movie downloads site. In addition to movie downloads, you can find options for downloading various movie players. Please visit it.
If you have a site similar to mine and would like to exchange links, please contact me through my website.