Time to join Team America

If I were at a restaurant and I ordered the 2004 pre-election, merry-go-round brouhaha for a main course, I would order Team America as the perfect dessert.

Team America, the new movie from the creators of the South Park series features an all-marionette cast of characters. This movie, sure to be a cult classic, features “an international police force dedicated to maintaining global stability.”

Hence, it is no wonder that the first scene in the movie starts in Paris, France, where everyone was minding their own business when some terrorists with dramatic facial expressions decide to do some damage with weapons of mass destruction.

Team America, orchestrated by their leader Spottswoode, comes in to save the day while blowing up the Eiffel tower and a few other iconic French structures.

The movie features a rich set of characters. Spottswoode is in charge of recruiting and stays at the base while interacting with his supercomputer called I.N.T.E.L.L.I.G.E.N.C.E. Of course, I.N.T.E.L.L.I.G.E.N.C.E. is in charge of intercepting communications around the globe in order to help foil the intentions of terrorists.

Gary, who was a rising Broadway star with a double major in acting and international languages, was recruited to act his way into terrorist organizations as a mole. Other characters include Lisa, the blonde chick; Chris, the hot-headed martial arts expert; Joe, the jock and Sarah, the token brunette.

The antagonist, Kim Jong Il, is the leader of North Korea who sells nuclear arms to terrorist organizations all around the world. He also plans to rule the world. In his spare time he likes to sing Broadway show tunes.

The fact that Kim sounds a little too much like Cartman from South Park makes a person wonder: when he grows up, will Cartman become the manager of your local Target store or would he instead become a renowned international terrorist?

With respect to creativity, the movie is able to tell its story very well. The audience can empathize with some of the frustrations that the characters feel from their posture, gestures and interaction with one another.

The token ballad in the movie contains lyrics that are reminiscent of rap lyrics and also contains mini movie reviews. Every bit of the movie seemed to be backed by a soundtrack that was over the top for the film. Even Gary falling onto a pool of his own vomit was accompanied by a dramatic orchestral piece.

Would I recommend seeing this movie? Yes! It’s very funny with just enough tongue-in-cheek humor to keep you laughing for a few weeks. So take a friend or a group of friends and pick out the hilarious one-liners you’ll be blurting out for weeks to come. You will not be disappointed.