String Cheese

So - we actually did something different and saw a new movie on opening day: Trey Parker and Matt Stone's Team America: World Police. Although not a nonstop laugh-fest like the South Park movie, it was an enjoyable and fast paced skewering of hyper patriotism, dumb action blockbusters, and egotistical celebrities. I got a huge kick out of the duo's fidelity to that whole super-cool Thunderbirds aesthetic reflected in the movie's super detailed props, costumes and sets. Trey and Matt seem to enjoy the fact that - despite their sophisticated, expressive faces - the puppets themselves are awkward and stupid looking, with visible strings proudly not covered up through CGI. This miniaturized puppet world becomes so compelling that the biggest laughs (in my opinion) came whenever life-sized objects intruded into the movie. Especially the part where -- well, you gotta see it. I'm particularly impressed with Trey, who directed, wrote every original song, and did most of the voices (including a very Cartman-esqe Kim Jong Il). Such a talented guy.
Posted by mhinrichs at October 16, 2004 03:30 PM