4 out of 5

Director: Trey Parker

Commissioned as a short by a Zucker in response to a Universal takeover of something-or-other, ‘Your Studio and You’ is a 14 minute treasure that the miracle of the internet allows us now to witness (since it was never officially circulated) that confirms – for any still in doubt – the comedic intelligence of South Park creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone.  The whole thing is pitched as a satirical 50s era educational film, covering three reasons why Universal is a great company.  It’s a pretty brave piece, considering how many name stars show up in the thing and pretty much make fun of a massive conglomerate and admit – through the filter of comedy – to being puppets for profit.  The style of humor, which is closer to ZAZ sillyness than what might be assumed of a casual South Park viewer, is nonetheless spot on with how Trey and Matt have always functioned through their subversiveness.  And while the appearance of Spielberg, Stallone, Angela Lansbury, and etc. and etc. is all amusing, the piece works without all of that, which makes it worthwhile.

It gets a little repetitive by the end of it, but the creators are familiar with this as well as so address it by being flippant.

It’s free; it’s out there; it’s funny.  Even your parents will enjoy it.  (Or at least your dad who loves the Airplane! movies.)