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 necessary to notice what the South Park: Seasons 21-25 Blu-ray is moderately than what some followers would possibly hope it’s. These on the lookout for a extra premium assortment crammed with bonus options received’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. In the event you personal the person seasons, there’s no actual purpose 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 actual fact, Seasons 24 and 25 haven’t any bonus materials in any respect; Season 23 has idea artwork and deleted scenes, at the very least. 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 could be tough. Seasons 21-23 are all on two discs apiece, and there are not any labels on them except for “Disc One” or “Disc Two.” Seasons 24 and 25 don’t have any labels in any respect, as they have been one-disc releases. Until you possibly can 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, after all, however it actually spells out what that is — a group constructed round worth moderately than a premium one.
Nitpicks apart, there’s loads 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 have been glorious, with the bigger Tegridy Farms storyline attending to shine, whereas additionally lampooning every little thing from Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker to how the U.S. responds to high school shootings. Stone and Parker have all the time had biting commentary, and the present’s constant high quality all through 20+ years is kind of outstanding 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 have 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 all the time considered the “chin diapers” joke each time I noticed individuals improperly carrying masks after watching it. In the meantime, Season 25 had six excellent episodes, with “The Massive Repair” being the actual spotlight. It’s the perfect Tolkien Black episode but and manages to retcon the character’s title within the funniest method doable.
In the event 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 good worth. There are not any frills for later seasons, however it delivers precisely as marketed. It’s a straightforward advice for followers of the present.
Disclosure: ComingSoon was despatched a duplicate by the writer for our South Park: Seasons 21-25 overview.