South Park: Seasons 21-25 Blu-ray Review: A Hilarious, Value-Focused Collection

The South Park: Seasons 21-25 Blu-ray was lately launched by Paramount Media Networks and MTV Leisure Studios. The eight-disc field set is a strong worth for followers of cable’s longest-running scripted collection. From the pandemic to the return of ManBearPig, there are many notable occasions coated over the 5 seasons — each inside the present’s canon and actual life.

It’s vital to notice what the South Park: Seasons 21-25 Blu-ray is slightly than what some followers would possibly hope it’s. These in search of a extra premium assortment stuffed with bonus options gained’t discover it right here. These are simply the unique Blu-rays of the 5 respective seasons, packaged into one set with no further bells or whistles. Should you personal the person seasons, there’s no actual cause to buy this.

This additionally means solely Seasons 21 and 22 have mini commentaries out there, with no perception from creators Matt Stone and Trey Parker for the three different seasons. In reality, Seasons 24 and 25 don’t have any bonus materials in any respect; Season 23 has idea artwork and deleted scenes, a minimum of. It’s an actual disgrace, because it’d be nice to get the creators’ ideas on how the pandemic has impacted the present and their course of — with Season 23 simply being two specials and 24 being a truncated run of six episodes.

Since these are the unique discs, discovering the episode you need might be tough. Seasons 21-23 are all on two discs apiece, and there aren’t any labels on them apart from “Disc One” or “Disc Two.” Seasons 24 and 25 don’t have any labels in any respect, as they had been one-disc releases. Until you’ll be able to acknowledge the artwork and affiliate it with its season, you’ll want to consider which disc you’re pulling out. These are comparatively minor complaints, in fact, nevertheless it actually spells out what that is — a group constructed round worth slightly than a premium one.

Nitpicks apart, there’s lots to love right here. Season 21 was a return to type for South Park, because it went again to episodes telling particular person tales after Season 20 deviated into extra linear storytelling. Seasons 22 and 23 had been glorious, with the bigger Tegridy Farms storyline attending to shine, whereas additionally lampooning all the pieces from Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker to how the U.S. responds to high school shootings. Stone and Parker have at all times had biting commentary, and the present’s constant high quality all through 20+ years is kind of exceptional and one thing that may’t be mentioned for different long-running exhibits like The Simpsons.

As talked about, Seasons 24 and 25 are shorter in size and had been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Appropriately, Season 24 is comprised of two episodes, “The Pandemic Particular” and the “South ParQ Vaccination Particular.” Each are hilarious, and I at all times considered the “chin diapers” joke every time I noticed individuals improperly sporting masks after watching it. In the meantime, Season 25 had six superb episodes, with “The Massive Repair” being the actual spotlight. It’s the most effective Tolkien Black episode but and manages to retcon the character’s identify within the funniest method potential.

Should you’re trying to personal these 5 seasons of South Park and don’t but personal any of the discs, then the South Park: Seasons 21-25 Blu-ray is a superb worth. There aren’t any frills for later seasons, nevertheless it delivers precisely as marketed. It’s a simple suggestion for followers of the present.