The Spirit of Christmas

'The Spirit of Christmas' is the animated short film made by Trey Parker and Matt Stone that would lead up to the big comedy hit 'South Park' and the movie 'South Park: Bigger, Longer and Uncut'. If you like 'South Park' you just have to see this hilarious piece of comedy.

The characters as we know them meet Jesus and later Santa Clause. The two get in a fight over who is more important for Christmas. Brian Botano shows up and learns them about the true meaning of Christmas.

'The Spirit of Christmas' is too offensive for some people, like 'South Park' is, but if you understand it is all in good fun there is good a chance you will appreciate this very funny short.

This is probably the sickest, most demented thing ever put on film. Which, of course, is what makes it so brilliant. It is disgusting and banal, not to mention perverse and profane. But simply the idea of Santa and Jesus fighting it out at a Mall to decide who Christmas is really about is something worth watching. There's a reason SOUTH PARK is such a brilliant television show and it's all here.

This pilot is the second pilot for South Park, originally made as a video Christmas card. More known as the "Santa Vs. Jesus" pilot (as the first pilot from 1992 has the same title, but is known as Frosty Vs. Jesus), this pilot would set the characters tropes that would carry onto the show (like Kyle being Jewish), and the formula, as the boys meet Jesus, who has come to South Park to reclaim his birthday from Santa, leading to a fight between the two (set to music from Mortal Kombat 3, no less). Almost 30 years since it was made, this special still stands out (especiall as the show it spawned would eventually lose the charm it had and become just another raunchy cartoon that some people lost interest in). This was back from before South Park was a show, and it had the formula down and worked a lot (even having a moral about the holidays).

stars: Trey Parker as Stan, Cartman, Santa and Brian Boitano.

Matt Stone as Kyle, Jesus and Kenny.

A cheaply done 5 minute Chrismtas card....and it's pretty good. it's about Jesus coming to South Park to find Santa and they get in a fight (killing Kenny). Meanwhile the foul mouthed boys cuss and cuss and even meet Brian Boitano. i watched it on the internet and I'm not sure where to find it. It's good though and any fan of South Park should watch it. Contains language and violence.

My rating: B. 5 mins.

Funny!

The Spirit of Christmas (a.k.a South Park The Un-Aired Plot of 1995), is actually the second instalment of South Park Christmas shorts, with 1992 The Spirit of Christmas: Mr.Frost being the pioneer. And if you are looking for an original South Park short with what every fan loves most about, you shouldn't miss this one. And here is why:

* A strong character goal -->> Stan and Kyle seek the true meaning of Christmas during a discussion

* One Amazing Story Catalyst -->> Jesus descends into town in the middle of Stan and Kyle's discussion

* Not a character driven story, but story driven characters -->> One of the unique episodes that doesn't follow what Stan does, it follows instead what Jesus does

* Memorable lines -->> (1) Jesus: Tomorrow is my birthday

Stan: Your birthday is on Christmas? That sucks dude!

(2) Cartman: I say we help Santa Claus.

Kyle: Your just saying that because he brings you candy.

Cartman: Hey I don't have to take that kind of sh*t from a Jew.

Kyle: Your such a fat f*ck Cartman that when you walk down the street people go darn that kids a big fat f*ck.

* Kenny is getting killed losing her nob, alongside to 6 other Southpark civilians, her screaming for death is her only line

* And the best of all -->> Jesus combats Santa Claus hand to hand.

If my research is not wrong, this animation short has come out just before the Chipmunks' Christmas Special that year, remember where Dave tells the chipmunks that Christmas is not just about presents when Alvin collects money to buy himself a Christmas gift. Of all the Christmas animations and cartoons, I'd vote for the South Park Christmas short. This is pure and original fun.