DVD Review: South Park - Imaginationland

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I've said it before and I'll say it again, South Park is downright flat-out hilarious! This latest DVD release of those foul-mouthed children from Colorado is no exception. South Park - Imaginationland contains South Park's first every trilogy, which basically means one story spanned over three episodes. Titled "Imaginationland", these three episodes take us to places and jokes that nobody could see coming. We start off finding Eric Cartman and Kyle Broflovski in a bet as to whether or not Cartman really saw a leprechaun... and strange as it may seem, Cartman wins. Not by deception or trickery, but because they boys actually do witness for themselves a real live leprechaun.

I won't tell you what the stakes are, because... well, because it just wouldn't be appropriate to mention here. But needless to say, Kyle does NOT want to pay up. Fortunately for Kyle, fate intervenes. Stan, Kyle, Kenny, Butters, and Jimmy encounter a magical man who whisks them away to a place called Imaginationland, where all imaginary creatures live. And I'm not talking generic imaginary characters, or even just South Park imaginary characters. Nope, you'll find Imagination land populated by all sorts of cartoon characters, such as Voltron, Optimus Prime, Smurfs, Thundercats, Strawberry Shortcake, Jack Skellington, Astro Boy, Orko (from He-Man), Count Chocula, and well you get the idea. I'm sure you'll want to constantly pause the DVD just to see all the different characters they included.

Unfortunately, our trip down memory lane is cut short when a terrorist attack suddenly throws everything into chaos. It starts with suicide-bomber, and continues on with a machine gun massacre. What follows is a scene right out of modern-day war movies, except with dead and wounded imaginary characters. But that doesn't mean they shorted us on all the nasty blood and guts! I don't think I'll ever be able to forget seeing Charlie Brown getting his leg blown off, or watching Ronald McDonald as he calmly squats down to pick up his bloodied, severed arm while in a daze. Talk about a mixed reaction, I was both horrified and laughing all at the same time. How do they think up this stuff?!

Fortunately, Stan, Kyle, Kenny, and Jimmy are able to escape with the help of a flying imaginary character... unfortunately, Butters gets left behind, and the boys have to watch the terrorists kick and beat him while they fly away to safety. But it gets even worse. The pentagon learns of this terrorist attack on imagination land, and sends in a team via a system that parodies Stargate. Of course, things don't go so well (would it be funny if it did?). I don't want to give too much away, even though you'll still laugh knowing what happens, but it's just better to see it for yourself. Oh yeah, and during the entire trilogy, Cartman is on his own quest to do whatever it takes to get Kyle to pay up on their bet.

Imagination land is one of the best episodes (or series of episodes) in recent memory, but this release also contains two additional bonus episodes, Woodland Critter Christmas and Manbearpig. Both episodes are also quite funny, though I wouldn't classify them as among the best. I'm sure the reasoning behind selecting these specific ones is that they both feature imaginary creatures that not only show up in Imaginationland, but play a role in it as well. There is also a commentary by Matt and Trey, creators of South Park, though I haven't had a chance to listen to it yet. But it matters not, as these episodes are most definitely worth owning regardless of the extra features, because THEY WILL MAKE YOU LAUGH! The only question is, should you buy this release or just waith for the season 11 box set to come out, whenever that may be.