South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut

The 4K UHD Blu-ray presentation of "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" provides a notable visual upgrade over its Blu-ray predecessor, largely benefiting from the new Dolby Vision HDR grading and the 4K master. The film, originally animated in a style emulating construction paper cutouts, retains its unique aesthetic while showing improvements in color saturation and textural detail. Enhanced black levels and sharpness of fine lines and edges contribute to a cleaner and more stable image. However, some mixed reactions exist regarding the color depth, with darker tones being a double-edged sword—offering a more filmic appearance but displaying inconsistencies, especially noticeable in characters' signature wardrobes.

Despite these inconsistencies, the 4K transfer impressively eliminates previous telecine issues and introduces an organic grain structure that maintains the film's inherent texture. The meticulous line work and faux paper texturing are more visible than ever, although the overall nature of the animation limits the extent of perceived upgrades. HDR capabilities expand the color and contrast space subtly, without dramatic enhancement. Instances of vertical banding and minor zoom inconsistencies were noted but do not detract significantly from the overall experience.

In summary, this 4K release is a substantial improvement in terms of visual fidelity. The balanced, yet striking enhancements make it feel like a refreshed viewing experience. Nevertheless, due to the intrinsic simplicity of the animation style, it might not register as a revolutionary upgrade for some viewers. These refinements collectively set a new benchmark for watching this classic, despite its inherent visual limitations.

The audio presentation of the 4K UHD Blu Ray of "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" retains the same 5.1 Dolby TrueHD track used in its 2009 Blu-ray release, foregoing any upgrade to a DTS:X or Dolby Atmos track. While this may disappoint some fans hoping for more immersive audio, the existing track delivers a solid listening experience. The mix is predominantly front-heavy, emphasizing dialogue clarity with a wide but largely front-focused soundstage. Musical numbers benefit significantly from this approach, featuring excellent imaging and a robust bass response, while other scenes exhibit limited low-frequency extension and surround activity.

Despite its age, the track holds up well in delivering clean and consistent dialogue and sound effects. Rear channels provide light support for atmospheric and directional cues, but dynamics are fairly restrained outside of key musical sequences. Noteworthy moments include Kenny's descent into hell, which remains a highlight with bold audio design. The package also features English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles for accessibility. While it may lack modern surround sound enhancements, the 5.1 Dolby TrueHD mix aligns well with the film’s original audio aesthetic, providing a satisfactory auditory experience reflecting its era of production.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray of "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" features a modest array of extras, most of which are carried over from previous editions. Key among these is the inclusion of an audio commentary by creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker, which offers a humorous and insightful dive into the film's production, complete with anecdotes and unscripted guest appearances. A karaoke-style Sing-A-Long Edition, however, comes without an option to turn off subtitles. Additional materials include a nostalgic music video for "What Would Brian Boitano Do?", a couple of theatrical trailers, and a teaser trailer. These extras are exclusively available on the included 1080p Blu-ray disc rather than the 4K disc, a limitation that might disappoint 4K purists.

Extras included in this disc:

Sing A-Long Edition: Features karaoke-style lyrics for the film's songs, but lacks a subtitle toggle option.

Audio Commentary with Matt Stone and Trey Parker: Engaging and humorous commentary with creators and various staff members.

What Would Brian Boitano Do Music Video: Punk version by Parker & Stone’s band D.V.D.A., with film and band footage.

Teaser Trailer: Promotional teaser for the film.

Theatrical Trailers: Official trailers released for the movie.

South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut, released in 1999, remains a riotous amalgamation of satire and irreverence, epitomizing the edgy humor for which the series is known. The film – a daring venture by creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker – plunges into the boys' mischievous escapade of sneaking into an R-rated movie, leading to a chaotic clash between the US and Canada. This animated feature unapologetically pushes boundaries, confronting censorship, military aggression, and societal norms head-on with biting wit and vulgarity. The movie's blend of crude humor and incisive social commentary has aged well, making it both nostalgic and relevant.

Embracing its R-rating, the film liberates itself from the constraints of television censors, showcasing Parker and Stone’s trademark satirical prowess. Music plays a significant role with infectious songs like "Blame Canada" and "What Would Brian Boitano Do?", paralleling the duo’s Broadway success with The Book of Mormon. The absurdity peaks with Kenny in Hell, encountering a romantically frustrated Satan and Saddam Hussein, layering humor with sharp cultural critiques. Although some jokes feel dated, the core themes tackling conservative censorship, reactionary politics, and hypocrisy retain their potency.

Technically, the 4K UHD release restores and preserves this spirited satire, giving fans a pristine viewing experience that enhances both the visual and auditory spectacle. While some viewers may find the humor abrasive or passé years later, South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut continues to engage with its audacious lampooning. It's a film that delighted fans at its initial release and still provokes thought and laughter 25 years on. The brilliance of Parker and Stone lies in striking a balance between entertaining absurdity and meaningful critique, making this film an enduring pillar in adult animation.

The 4K UHD Blu-ray release of "South Park: Bigger, Longer & Uncut" brings the 1999 animated cult classic into the modern era with mixed results. Paramount's new master provides a significantly improved visual experience with a noticeably enhanced detail level. However, this comes with subtle changes to the series' traditional color palette, which might be jarring for long-time fans. Notably, the audio remains a direct clone of the original Blu-ray's Dolby TrueHD 5.1 track. While still competent, it could sound slightly dated to more discerning ears. It is also disappointing that no new special features have been added, making this release feel somewhat underwhelming in terms of additional content.

Technically, the release includes an aspect ratio of 1.85:1 in HEVC, with audio options in English (Dolby TrueHD 5.1), French, and Spanish DD 5.1, and subtitles in English, English SDH, French, and Spanish. Directed by Trey Parker and starring the likes of Trey Parker, Matt Stone, Mary Kay Bergman, and Isaac Hayes, the film retains its sharp satire and comedic flair that fans appreciate.

Ultimately, while the 4K presentation offers enough visual improvements to justify the purchase for diehard fans, casual viewers might prefer sticking to their existing Blu-ray copies or waiting for a discounted price. This release stands as a nostalgic piece for "South Park" enthusiasts but might fall short of expectations for those seeking more substantive upgrades in audio and special features.

Conclusion: Maybe it's just nostalgia talking, but having grown up with "South Park," there's a unique charm to revisiting its first major project. Despite some missed opportunities with the 4K release—primarily the unchanged audio track and lack of new extras—Paramount’s new master does justice to the film's visual experience, making it a worthwhile addition for dedicated fans.