As a longtime fan of South Park, I must say, “The End of Obesity” and “The Streaming Wars” are two mini-movies that showcase the unparalleled satirical prowess of Trey Parker and Matt Stone.
For nearly three decades on the air, Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s infamous show, South Park, has needed to evolve to stay relevant. Remarkably, it has managed to do so in many aspects. One example of its evolution is the 2021 deal with Paramount+ to create 14 movies. However, Trey and Matt have dismissed these as films, which makes sense given they are more like extended episodes rather than the actual South Park movie from 1999.
It’s time to rank the seven movies we have so far, as we’ve reached the midpoint. However, I should clarify that only the specials released following the deal will be considered in this ranking. Therefore, you won’t find “The Pandemic Special” or “South ParQ Vaccination Special” here because they are essentially extended episodes (forming Season 24), and they were published before the Paramount+ agreement.
7 (Not Suitable for Children)
If anything these days is ripe for parody, it’s the combination of OnlyFans and social media influencers. They’re two semi-professions that are both lucrative and utterly devoid of any sort of discernible skill or talent. Social media influencing takes the A-plot, with the kids of South Park all being obsessed with a sugary drink called Cred.
A Swing and a Miss
In this episode, the main plot of Cred underperforms, so it heavily depends on a secondary storyline. Interestingly, Randy, who powers the B-plot by creating endless content for OnlyFans (which, as expected, doesn’t bring in much money), manages to keep one running joke entertaining.
In this revised version, the text maintains its original meaning while being more easily understood:
6 Joining the Panderverse
Experiencing the Panderverse predominantly revolves around “compulsory political correctness,” particularly in relation to Disney. Traditional intellectual properties are resurrected and reimagined with a contemporary, politically correct twist, which fails to significantly enrich the content. Instead, it’s a strategy aimed at appealing to a broader audience. In essence, one could say it’s about playing it safe. Similar to some other specials, it features Cartman venturing into an alternate universe where he and his friends are in their mid-thirties, and composed of racially diverse women.
B-Plot Before A-Plot
The main storyline, or A-plot, isn’t usually successful. It’s puzzling to imagine Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy embodying Cartman’s appearance and character traits. However, the subplot, or B-plot, is effective, at least temporarily. Randy Marsh is on a quest to find a repairman, but he’s discovered that their prices have skyrocketed because their expertise has become more sought after in the market than ever before.
Nowadays, you’d find folks opting for TikTok dances over acquiring useful abilities more often. This jest, though waning towards the end of the hour, holds a grain of truth that makes Joining the Panderverse an entertaining watch at least once due to its uncanny accuracy.
5 Post COVID: The Return of COVID
South Park has consistently been influenced by real-life occurrences, with this impact growing over time. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, both South Park: Post COVID and its sequel, The South Park Pandemic Special, were unveiled in 2021 at the peak of the health crisis. However, given that it’s a comedy series produced during such a somber period, it didn’t quite manage to evoke laughter. This is because it delved into the tragic events surrounding Stan’s sister, Shelley, and their mother’s subsequent suicide.
The First Part Was Better
In the sequel to “Post COVID,” ideas about the future that were once fresh now seem outdated, with one exception: the idea that doorbells might someday sound like Trey Parker singing. This is particularly noticeable when it comes to the increased presence of cyborg Amazon Alexas, a joke that didn’t resonate in the original and seems even less effective in the second installment.
One unique aspect it has that the post-COVID era lacks is the presence of Butters. Firstly, the fact that his parents left him mirrors reality quite accurately. Secondly, the idea of him being institutionalized for selling absurd NFTs is a humorous twist, as is the climax of the two-part series showing Cartman as a screaming, homeless, irritable, overweight, and more obese alcoholic.
4 The Streaming Wars Part 2
Among the standout moments in “The Streaming Wars Part 2,” it’s the bold opening that truly shines, where a reporter sarcastically remarks about a dismissed court case by saying something like, “and yet again, streaming platforms have managed to turn everything into a disappointment.” This commentary is particularly brave given that the mini-movie itself is a product of a deal with a streaming service, reflecting the satirical spirit that “South Park” is known for.
Additionally, there’s a playful jab at well-known cryptocurrency supporters such as Matt Damon. Instead of promoting a mythical currency that left many bankrupt, he is seen eating pasta cooked with urine in this scenario, rather than enjoying the wealth amassed from an Ocean’s Eleven-style heist.
At Least It’s Still Funny Seeing ManBearPig in a Suit
But, in the end, The Streaming Wars Part 2 is another case of one of the “movies” failing to wrap up with a satisfying payoff. Tolkien’s dad going missing at the end of the first part remains a major part of the second, and it’s never particularly interesting. That said, Part 2 does kill off Pi Pi, a character first introduced back in Season 13 then kept out of the spotlight for a decade…the randomness of which (having him be the specials’ big bad) is humorous.
3 Post COVID
Focusing on the grown-up versions of the fourth graders, “South Park: Post-COVID” is the initial episode from the 14 specials. With the time leap, it manages to establish itself as distinct. However, since it didn’t actually take 40 years for the COVID-19 pandemic to end in real life, this special was more effective when first released in 2021 than it is now.
“Her Name’s Yentl.”
Despite some parts still functioning, its portrayal of the future is quite amusing, especially its depiction of the boys growing into men. Kenny’s face is now just a shaggy beard, Stan seems to be always down, Kyle continues to hold them together to an extent, and Cartman, remarkably, has transformed into a rabbi. Unquestionably, it’s the transformation of Cartman in Post COVID that is both unexpected and the most captivating aspect.
2 The End of Obesity
“The End of Obesity” is particularly fitting for Cartman, as it seems tailored just for him. The film revolves around Ozempic, a potential solution for him, but instead of contemplating its potential benefits on the length and quality of his life, he amuses himself with the thought of mocking everyone without consequence. In his mind, the only response they could give him is a jibe about his weight. It offers an intriguing glimpse into his profound disconnection from reality regarding the impact of his actions on others…and his unconcerned indifference towards it.
Only the Third Act Is Outright Weak
One way to rephrase the given text in a more natural and easy-to-read manner could be:
At an insurance office, the boys are initially welcomed with friendliness and cheerfulness. However, when they mention requiring assistance instead of planning to purchase something, the friendly demeanor vanishes, and they’re given a representative who moves at a snail’s pace. This situation seems reminiscent of episodes from a mid-period (Seasons 8-13) rather than any other specials. Given that this period might have been the strongest, this is a positive association.
After Kyle and Butters begin creating semaglutides on their own, and the sugar industry dispatches all their breakfast cereal mascots to harass them, the situation starts to get overly absurd.
1 The Streaming Wars
The initial segment of “The Streaming Wars” shines due to its insightful critique on creators producing content for numerous streaming platforms, which often results in a decline in quality. However, this observation doesn’t apply to “South Park“. It appears that Trey and Matt understand this exception. Additionally, the depiction of ManBearPig in this piece is its most effective since the “Imaginationland” trilogy.
Continuing the Trend of the First Part Being Better Than the Second
The recurring joke of Randy acting like a stereotypical Karen remains entertaining initially and fortunately isn’t overused to the point of irritation. On the other hand, Cartman’s entry into the boys’ boat-building venture under the pretense of his mother needing surgery (actually, he desires breast augmentation so they can relocate from their shuttered hotdog restaurant) aligns with his character flawlessly, as does its subsequent development.
Read More
- BODEN PREDICTION. BODEN cryptocurrency
- GHST PREDICTION. GHST cryptocurrency
- BETA PREDICTION. BETA cryptocurrency
- STRD PREDICTION. STRD cryptocurrency
- Mango Markets Exploiter Found Guilty Of Fraud And Manipulation
- GBP EUR PREDICTION
- MATIC PREDICTION. MATIC cryptocurrency
- LOOKS PREDICTION. LOOKS cryptocurrency
- BRN/USD
- TNSR PREDICTION. TNSR cryptocurrency
2024-09-08 06:32