The Spirit of Christmas

This, as most of you know is the second "Spirit of Christmas" the first being re-titled to "Mr. Frosty" both contained the sharp wit, the crudeness that we all enjoy. It took me a while to find a good quality copy of this cartoon to watch, and I am glad I did. In this golden Parker-nugget the boys have an encounter with Jesus looking for Santa Claus...to kick the living sh*t out of him. When Ole' St. Nick and Jesus battle it out the boys consult one of their idols: Brian Biotana. Brian Teaches them the way and shows the boys that shouldn't think of things like "who's going to win Santa or Jesus" but to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. In the end the South Park boys find the true meaning of Christmas....PRESENTS!

This pilot is the second pilot for South Park, originally made as a video Christmas card.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).

A short watch, but a pretty good one! This version is much better and more funnier than the 1992 version and the animation clearly improved since then. It's pretty nice to see how South Park looked like before it aired. A must-watch for any South Park fan.

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.

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!