And this brings us to American Exceptionalism. The assumption the parents make is that ideas and language are dangerous, but as the story escalates, the real assumption is that the American way of life is the right way. People are even asked to join the army to show their commitment to their country and see the ultimate American concert. Notably, the only people who see something wrong with this hysteria are the children, but their small revolution (both physically and in numbers) isn't strong enough to stop the people in power from acting in what they perceive to be their interests.
It seems very befitting that our first century of film ends with the release of South Park in 1999. In the 1920s, the Hays Code was established on account of a few celebrity sex-scandals, and was industry regulated as a compromise to government intervention on behalf of lobby groups. The code, based on self-censorship, wasn't abolished until the 60s and was replaced by the rating system we know today.
Perhaps what has driven groups to demand mass media regulation has a lot to do with fairness. Mass media forms like film have a large impact, and they do tend to perpetuate myths and push certain ideologies, but centralized ownership does not facilitate a dialogue between these different ideas, and simply holds up a few of them. It's no wonder people fear the power that mass media can have.
That's why it seems suited that the twentieth century be capped off by the most offensive Hollywood film about censorship in mass media. Especially since a new problem is being posed for the twenty-first century in the form of fragmentation and the internet.
But this isn't the only aspect of the film that stands it in good stead. Of particular note is the use of animation. The Simpsons gave the 90s an all-ages satire with openness about family relationships, but South Park is what broke with common decency.
Traditionally, animation has been a kids' genre in the west. Disney musicals held a virtual monopoly on the animation genre ever since Snow White (1937), and it has only been since Pixar that the lead characters haven't sung and danced. The choice to make South Park a musical harks back to the tradition, but the material invites us to think critically, and by this stylistic choice, the film asks us if these old films are as innocent as we remember them. The traditional Disney film often featured black and white, good/evil dilemmas and you can only wonder if they really are appropriate for children.
Article comments
1 - Sterfish
Excellent, spot on review of that movie.