Cannibal! The Musical

Cannibal! The Musical is an eccentric, bold, and somewhat bizarre cinematic experience that was released in 1993, and it undeniably lays the groundwork of the South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone's signature brand of humor. Parker serves as the director, protagonist, and co-writer of this movie, along with his University of Colorado classmate, Jason McHugh. It also includes Dian Bachar and Stephen Blackpool, both integral parts of later Park and Stone productions.

This comedic horror musical film stands out due to mixing historical drama, horror, and western genres, in line with notorious occurrences wrapped around with the uniquely peculiar and satirical sense of humor. It satirizes the true story of Alfred Packer, played by Trey Parker, and his ill-fated journey to the Colorado Territory, which ended in disaster and allegations of cannibalism. The movie attempts to unravel Packer's life and the journey he took with his fellow prospectors, who are all losing their sanity one by one as hunger taking its toll on them.

Even though it contains all the elements of a horror film dabbed with occasional gore scenes, at its core, Cannibal! The Musical is far from your typical fright fest. It is a black-comedy filled with satirical humor, irreverence, and lively musical numbers that provide a counterbalance to the film’s gruesome roots. Both the storyline and characters are purposefully caricatured, creating an atmosphere that is anything but terrifying.

Despite being filmed on a shoestring budget as a student film, Cannibal! The Musical is well-produced. Its bizarre and innovative twist on a dark historical period is both engaging and enjoyable. Although it is a parody of epics like Oklahoma! and Friday the 13th, it is very much its own original entity. The film takes delight in its inane dialogue, absurdly charming musical numbers, and endearing camaraderie among the doomed troupe.

The musical numbers in the film, written by Parker, are inexplicably catchy and fit seamlessly into the narrative – contributing largely to the quirkiness of the film. Songs such as "Shpadoinkle" and "Hang the Bastard" become unexpected earworms with their genuinely amusing lyrics and spirited performances.

In terms of performances, Trey Parker leads the cast effortlessly. His natural comic delivery, coupled with the occasional unnerving stare, effectively captures the character of Packer - a man stuck in overwhelming circumstances. The rest of the cast, including future South Park collaborators Bachar and Blackpool, offer memorable comedic performances - each quirky character more outlandishly entertaining than the last. Their individual and collective comedic timing ensures that there is never a dull moment in the narrative.

The supporting performances are also commendable, such as Ian Hardin, who plays the deranged yet hilarious Prospector, and Toddy Walters as the love interest, who brings sincerity to her role amidst all the chaos and insanity. Parker's direction excels in drawing out the unique characteristics of the ensemble cast and highlighting their performances, making each character memorable.

So, if you're a fan of out-of-the-box thinking or Trey Parker and Matt Stone's unique styles, Cannibal! The Musical is a stylish, dark, hilarious, and absurdly charming cinematic experience. It's a mash-up of the humor, quirkiness, and tonal shifts that would eventually go on to become part of their hallmark humor in subsequent works, notably South Park.

As a disclaimer, while this movie is rich in humor and musical satire, it does contain graphic content due to themes of cannibalism, something potential viewers should be aware of. Despite taking a lighter, comedic approach to history's darker chapters, it might not be everyone's cup of tea. But for those who enjoy such dark humor, Cannibal! The Musical is undoubtedly a thrilling and amusing ride from start to finish, displaying the early work of two of television's most enduring and controversial creators.