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South Park:Passion of the Jew
Paramount // Unrated // August 31, 2004
List Price: $19.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
Let's hear it for exploitation!
Whenever a blockbuster film comes to home video, there are multiple smaller releases, usually documentaries, which try to capitalize on the film's popularity. Whether it be a documentary about the Titanic released around the same time as the James Cameron opus or a sudden interest in Roman history centered around Gladiator, piggybacking on a major release is an art all to itself.
So there is precedent for Comedy Central/Paramount to release South Park: The Passion of the Jew on DVD the exact same date as some other film with "Passion" in the title. It certainly grabbed some headlines and extra publicity.
So, here's the disc, episode-by-episode:
The Passion of the Jew
Episode 804 – Originally aired March 31st, 2004
Cartman sees "The Passion of the Christ" and decides to adopt Mel Gibson as his personal Lord and Savior. Kyle sees the movie and wants to repent for his heritage. Stan and Kenny see the film and want their money back.
This is what makes Cartman such a twisted genius of a character. He is a mini-Hitler in this episode. He is actively talking about killing all the Jews in South Park. Yet he's still hysterical. Incredible.
The subplot with Stan and Kenny taking on Mel Gibson in an attempt to get their money back is funny, as well. While the Gibson-as-psychopath portrayal is a cheap shot, the references to the rest of his films are well placed, and the ending payoff even draws a small cheer.
Red Hot Catholic Love
Episode 608 – Originally aired July 3rd, 2002
Priest Maxi loses his congregation when it starts to believe he wants to get "Close to You." So Maxi has to go "Strollin' On" to the Vatican to try and get some changes made within the priesthood. But he soon finds out that "Love Don't Come Easy." (Enough Maxi Priest references? I think so.) Cartman, meanwhile, poops out his mouth.
The subplot does most of the heavy lifting in this episode, since no one does anal insertion humor quite like Matt and Trey. But most of the scenes at the Vatican fall flat, with Maxi not being a terribly amusing character.
Christian Rock Hard
Episode 709 – Originally aired October 29th, 2003
One of my favorite episodes of the series sees Cartman form a Christian rock band, showing off his songwriting skills by taking popular songs and substituting "Jesus" for "baby." This leads to wholesome lyrics such as, "Want to get down on my knees and start pleasing Jesus/I want to feel his salvation all over my face." Meanwhile, the rest of the boys form a band but decide to go on strike until people stop downloading music for free from the Internet after a run-in with the FBI.
The message of the episode is a little heavy-handed, but any time we get to see a great Cartman fit, a great Cartman beatdown and lots of screen-time for Token, it's a good thing.
The DVD
Whenever a blockbuster film comes to home video, there are multiple smaller releases, usually documentaries, which try to capitalize on the film's popularity. Whether it be a documentary about the Titanic released around the same time as the James Cameron opus or a sudden interest in Roman history centered around Gladiator, piggybacking on a major release is an art all to itself.
So there is precedent for Comedy Central/Paramount to release South Park: The Passion of the Jew on DVD the exact same date as some other film with "Passion" in the title. It certainly grabbed some headlines and extra publicity.
So, here's the disc, episode-by-episode:
The Passion of the Jew
Episode 804 – Originally aired March 31st, 2004
Cartman sees "The Passion of the Christ" and decides to adopt Mel Gibson as his personal Lord and Savior. Kyle sees the movie and wants to repent for his heritage. Stan and Kenny see the film and want their money back.
This is what makes Cartman such a twisted genius of a character. He is a mini-Hitler in this episode. He is actively talking about killing all the Jews in South Park. Yet he's still hysterical. Incredible.
The subplot with Stan and Kenny taking on Mel Gibson in an attempt to get their money back is funny, as well. While the Gibson-as-psychopath portrayal is a cheap shot, the references to the rest of his films are well placed, and the ending payoff even draws a small cheer.
Red Hot Catholic Love
Episode 608 – Originally aired July 3rd, 2002
Priest Maxi loses his congregation when it starts to believe he wants to get "Close to You." So Maxi has to go "Strollin' On" to the Vatican to try and get some changes made within the priesthood. But he soon finds out that "Love Don't Come Easy." (Enough Maxi Priest references? I think so.) Cartman, meanwhile, poops out his mouth.
The subplot does most of the heavy lifting in this episode, since no one does anal insertion humor quite like Matt and Trey. But most of the scenes at the Vatican fall flat, with Maxi not being a terribly amusing character.
Christian Rock Hard
Episode 709 – Originally aired October 29th, 2003
One of my favorite episodes of the series sees Cartman form a Christian rock band, showing off his songwriting skills by taking popular songs and substituting "Jesus" for "baby." This leads to wholesome lyrics such as, "Want to get down on my knees and start pleasing Jesus/I want to feel his salvation all over my face." Meanwhile, the rest of the boys form a band but decide to go on strike until people stop downloading music for free from the Internet after a run-in with the FBI.
The message of the episode is a little heavy-handed, but any time we get to see a great Cartman fit, a great Cartman beatdown and lots of screen-time for Token, it's a good thing.
The DVD
Video:
South Park: The Passion of the Jew is presented in full-frame video, just as it aired on Comedy Central. The colors look fine and there don't seem to be any digital flaws.
Audio:
The DTS track is incredible, with amazing surround effects in the shootout scene and overwhelming spacing in the car crash – you feel like you're in the front seat!
Of course I'm kidding. It's "South Park," for Saddam's sake! The episodes sounds like they did when I saw them on cable the first time around.
Extras:
Nada. This is not a definitive release, it is just an excuse to take your money.
Final Thoughts:
For those who balk at all studio double-dipping attempts, have fun waiting the two years for these episodes to show up in season sets. But for those who can justify $20 retail for three episodes, South Park: The Passion of the Jew is a must-have for any Matt 'n' Trey fan.
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