One of South Park's finest hours is by turns profound, profane, and—eye of the beholder considerations aside—a little obscene. This madly ambitious trilogy of episodes is set in Imaginationland, a fantastic cross between the Pepperland of the Beatles' Yellow Submarine and Toontown in Who Framed Roger Rabbit? In this neighborhood dwell "the wonderful and goofy things humans have made up," including Dick Tracy, Charlie Brown, Count Chocula, Mighty Mouse, Waldo, a Mutant Ninja Turtle, and a host of other literary, cinematic, TV, cartoon, and pop culture icons. When terrorists launch an attack on Imaginationland—threatening to destroy the barrier that keeps evil characters at bay—the military responds with a counterattack. How do the South Park kids figure in all this? Butters has been stranded there (don't ask) while Cartman is bent on humiliating Kyle by forcing him to perform an unprintable act (again, don't ask). From Saving Private Ryan and Dragonheart to South Park itself (the satanic Woodland Critters and Manbearpig, whose own episodes are included on this disc as a helpful bonus), there are enough in-jokes and references here to fill a term paper. The profanities (and there will be profanities) are unbleeped on this so-called "Director's Cut." In addition to the bonus episodes, South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone offer audio commentary that lasts for most of the running time. Very representative of South Park's take-no-prisoners satiric worldview, Imaginationland stands on its own, but will also turn up before long as part of the complete 11th season set. Recommended, especially for those who aren't collecting the season sets. (D. Liebenson)
South Park: Imaginationland
Paramount, 65 min., not rated, DVD: $19.99 Volume 23, Issue 3
South Park: Imaginationland
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