Just watched this on DVD the other day and can't believe I didn't see it in the theater. What a fantastic experience! While there is a definite immature flavor to this film, (Puppet sex, a vomit scene that goes on forever, gay jokes) it is forgivable because it tackles some weighty issues with perhaps the most keen observations on war and celebrity pundits. It tackles sensationalsim, the media and best of qll Jerry Bruckheimer films.
Of the fuinniest scenes the one that cracked me up more than it should was when the Matt Damon puppet was first introduced in the Film Actors Guild line-up. Apparently he is only capable of saying his name.
Team America is a lot like South Park, primarily because it is made by Trey Parker and Matt Stone who took animation back to a primitive art form. They did the same with this movie, no CGI, all minature an impressive sets with real explosions, violence, sex and enough belly laughs for a mild abdominal workout.
To watch the behind the scenes on how the film was made really exposes Parker and Stone for the creative geniuses they are, despite their penchant for bathroom humor.
The underlying social commentary, just like South Park, is witty, smart and relevant, but if you pay too much attention to the weighty material you will miss some of the best moments of the film. Puppets haven't been so much fun since Thunderbirds, and they aren't as freaky as their 70's counterparts.
The music numbers, yes it's a musical, are funny as well. Songls like "America: Fuck Yeah!", "What would you do?", "Everyone has AIDS; a selection from the off-broadway smash LEASE!", and the power ballad of self-loathing sung by the oft-misunderstood Kim Jong-Il "I'm so ronery." are hillarious.
Treat yourself to Team Amnerica: World Police and give your brain a much needed vacation.