Team America

We have looked at several different types of musicals from classical narratives like Singin’ in the Rain to more contemporary narratives like Rent. However, none of the musicals are quite like this one. I am talking about Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s Team America: World Police. It is a musical because it contains all the necessary elements of the genre. It is unique because it uses puppets instead of actors or animation and acts as a critique on society.
Parker says, “Team America is a metaphor for America. So obviously the movie is political” (Smith 81). He addresses the question about whether someone should feel proud to be an American or not. With catchy songs like “America: Fuck Yeah,” it blatantly expresses America’s ignorant notion it is the only country in the world that matters. The song is both humorous and satirical.

The movie even spoofs other musicals with the song “Everyone has AIDs!” The scene begins with a shot of a Broadway musical sign called Lease. One can easily see this as a reference to the play Rent. It then cuts to a wide shot of several puppets on scaffolding belting out the chorus. The scene goes back and forth between the lead singer and shots of puppets in the audience crying. With lyrics like “come’on everybody we have some quilting to do!” it is both campy and witty. Parker and Stone are not critiquing Rent, but society’s response to the musical.

Team America shows that musicals can be edgy, different, and act as a critique on the status quo. As one can see the movie musical genre is very broad and possesses infinite possibilities.