Plot: What’s it about?
It was simply inevitable that “The Passion of the Christ” could make $400 million dollars and not get parodied in at least some way, shape or form. Leave it to the creators of “South Park” to do a parody and actually have it be pretty good. I saw “The Passion…” and thought it was a great, powerful movie. What “South Park: The Passion of the Jew” says is essentially the same thing as Mel Gibson’s movie, but it does so in twenty minutes and you don’t have to suffer through two hours of Aramaic. Trey and Matt, the insane minds behind “South Park” have never taken the safe route. In fact, it’s probably accurate to say that at one time or another, they’ve offended at least everyone in the United States if not the world. That’s what keeps them going and what makes “South Park” still a great show – even after seven years on air. I’m never sure as to which public figure (celebrity or otherwise) is free from the wrath of “South Park”. It’s clear to say that Mel Gibson surely isn’t…
It all starts when Cartman is bragging about seeing “The Passion…” some 34 times. He constantly thwarts his friend Kyle (the Jewish kid) and says that if he sees the movie, he’ll realize that his people were responsible for killing Jesus Christ (in a roundabout way, the “real” movie suggested this and hence the controversy). Kyle does see the movie and it affects him as it affected many who saw it. He tries to organize the Jewish community of South Park to make a public apology to the Christians, much to the dismay of the rest of the Jewish people who haven’t seen the movie. A subplot involves Stan and Kenny, who also see the movie, and try to get their money back. Trekking across the country, they meet up with Mel Gibson (made out to be part psychopath), and let’s just say it’s typical “South Park” from there on out. Ironically, this disc comes out the same day that the real movie (“The Passion of the Christ”) comes out on DVD and I think it’ll be interesting to watch the fireworks fly – if any.
Video: How does it look?
The episodes are presented in a full-frame transfer that reflects the original aspect ratio. For the most part, the colors are very bright and vivid, even surpassing broadcast quality. There’s not a real problem with edge enhancement, considering the source, and all of the other factors that are normally considered are thrown out the window here as we don’t really know what to expect. Bottom line, if you have seen the other South Park DVD’s, then this is how these episodes look. No major complaints here.
Audio: How does it sound?
All episodes are in Dolby Surround, which more than serves the purpose. You’ll hear each and every verbal slur as they’re constantly dished out and all of the voices and sound effects are intact. There is some depth to the tracks, however, as it tends to supercede what we would call “acceptable” when it comes to animation. Not a lot else to say here, it sounds pretty good and I wasn’t let down at all.
Supplements: What are the extras?
We don’t get a lot in terms of supplements, though I would have loved to hear Trey and Matt’s commentary on this particular episode. Two “bonus” episodes are included: “Christian Hard Rock” in which Cartman is kicked out of a band and summarily forms one of his own (making music for Jesus, no less). Next is “Red Hot Catholic Love” involves a church sex scandal that lowers attendance. And that’s it. “South Park” still shows that it has chops after all these years and to get the movie to come out on the same day as “The Passion” is a feat, too.
