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Pretty Good

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

This is a must-see and one of the best documentaries - and films - of this year.

The plot isn't so bad, but the pace of storytelling is too slow which makes people bored. Certain moments are so obvious and unnecessary for the main plot. I would've fast-forwarded those moments if it was an online streaming. The ending looks like implying a sequel, not sure if this movie will get one

Broadway actor Gary Johnston is selected for a covert mission by Spottiswoode who is the head of a counter-terrorist organisation AKA Team America. Spottiswoode selects Johnston as he believes that Johnston's excellent acting skills will be a key asset to his organisation in helping to uncover information about a planned terrorist attack which is being orchestrated in Cairo. Spottiswoode (along with the assistance of his team) sends Johnston to Cairo to put his acting skills to good use by infiltrating the terrorist's plans and ultimately help Team America prevent a potential world disaster.When done right films like Team America can be a breath of fresh air which can provide a bit of escapism. They give Joe Public the opportunity to forget about real world problems and try to essentially laugh in the face of adversity. For me, these sort of satires have to have a modicum of intelligence to really work and despite Team America having its moments a lot of this fell flat for me....I found, at times, that Team America actually fell victim to its own satire; this is highlighted in the clichéd melodrama that we see between Lisa and Johnston. We're presented with a heavy on/off romance between the two characters, but it's never shown in an amusing or ironic way which seemed strange as it's supposed to be a satire. The character failings are further evidenced with everyone welcoming Johnston with open arms except the one tough guy who doesn't trust him. Stuff like this always seems at odds with what the whole point of the film is and again in all of this I saw very few examples of good satire.I also found that Parker used the wrong approach with Kim Jong Il - whilst I'm prepared to accept that the character they presented us with is probably a fairly accurate presentation of Kim Jong Il (albeit in an exaggerated sense) I just didn't find his character funny and again perhaps it's because he was portrayed in an obvious and mostly serious way rather than in a satirical way.It's not all bad though and Team America does have some very good moments; the scene between the United Nations bloke and Kim Jong Il was one of the better examples of satire. I have to admit that my childish side did find the F.A.G gag to be funny as well - although it may be quite offensive to some of those who 'get' the joke. Johnston's moment where he 'takes one for the team' was also amusing. Oh yeah and the puppet sex is also pretty funny!!Team America isn't a total waste of time and it's fairly short running time means that it is a tolerable film at the very least. However, it's wildly uneven and sadly only a few gags worked for me (with only one gag being a truly good example of satire). There are very few laughs on offer here and sadly a handful of funny gags in a film that's close to 100 minutes simply isn't good enough. Fans of South Park may enjoy it, but I found it to be a film which missed more than it hit.

Team America: World Police (2004): Dir: Trey Parker, Matt Stone / Voices: Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Kristen Miller, Daran Norris, Skyler Stone: Vulgar and distasteful computer generated string puppet action film about a team of fighters who destroy terrorism. They seem to be a metaphor for the senseless attack on Iran. They destroy every important landmark they come across and seek a stage actor to disguise himself as a terrorist and gather information. They find him performing a musical called Everybody Has A.I.D.S. With his help they confront a terrorist enemy who assembles members of the Screen Actors guild for support. Totally offensive yet detailed film directed by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, the creators of South Park. Some characters are broad while others are types. Parker and Stone voice many of the puppet characters including actor Gary and terrorist villains. Kristen Miller voices agent Lisa who falls for Gary, and Daran Norris voices the agency head who seeks Gary out. Skyler Stone voices Chris who confesses why his attitude is so bad. Numerous celebrities are maimed in response towards publicity stunts. Jokes include two naked puppets engaging in various sexual positions, and an extended puking scene. While the film is offensive, it also strives for creativity while attacking media bullshit. The puppets are a hoot within all the turmoil. Score: 7 / 10

Because the movie is told through puppets, it will likely be off- putting for many right off the bat but it's also what made me appreciate the movie most (as a technical feat). Team America: World Police hilariously nails many of the action genre's tropes and easy American stereotypes but coincidentally shares the same tasteless, uncomfortable humor that South Park manufactures. It's too extreme for me but was a good introspective laugh in the meantime.My rubric:2. You and I, we could make something more engrossing with a million dollars and the length of the runtime. Absolutely dreadful, a total drag - save yourself.4. Average. Post-mortem of your mildly entertained time, you are unenthused.6. The threshold for willful re-watching. You get excited when it's brought up casually in conversation.8. The go-to movies. You've employed yourself to actively advertise someone else's work to share the satisfaction. The obsession extends beyond promotion and into understanding. You exhaust yourself, concerned in the detail and ensuring no one could ever introduce you to an element you haven't explored.10. A work of art that radically develops one's self comically, emotionally, morally or imaginatively with lasting affect.

Back in 2004 Team America rode a tidal wave of controversial hype to theaters, where it quickly vanished off screens. A grueling production and a rushed post production to meet a silly release date timed for election season, keeps Team America from being as tightly edited as it should. It runs about 15 minutes too long and needs some tinkering, but as sloppy as the film can get, it's sheer audacity as not only a technical accomplishment but as a deranged satire is something to behold. The last thing I was expecting from Trey Parker was a meticulously crafted film - something hilarious, of course - but not brilliant cinematography, well lit models and well staged action, while skewering the visuals of Bruckheimer productions. Even if a particular joke falls flat, I find it hard not to still have a smile on my face from watching absurd puppets in absurd sets - the whole film is a visual gag. While Parker and Stone certainly mine laughs at the expense of self righteous actors, the gags worked best as a TV newscast punchline, but turning that punchline into a last act plot thread doesn't fully work. The screenplay never really finds its footing, but my criticisms are dwarfed by the fact that just looking at the film makes me laugh out loud.