Team America *Contains Dialogue Spoilers

[MacGuffin]

'TEAM AMERICA' DUO FEELS STING OF SEAN PENN PEN

Sean Penn isn't mad about how he's portrayed in the upcoming film "Team America: World Police." But he's ready to go to war with the filmmakers over some off-camera comments about voting.

The film, a satire of the action genre featuring a team of butt-kicking marionettes, has already engendered criticism from figures on the right, who have claimed that it makes fun of the war on terror. Yet the film also takes swipes at a number of outspoken left-wing celebrities such as Susan Sarandon, Tim Robbins and Penn, who's shown opining about how great Iraq was before the war, with rivers of chocolate and children playing with gumdrop smiles.
 
Earlier this week, the Oscar-winning actor, who made a trip to Iraq before the war, wrote an angry letter to "Team America" filmmakers Trey Parker and Matt Stone. "I never mind being of service in satire, and silliness," he wrote.

What was offensive to Penn, though, was when Stone said in Rolling Stone, "If you don't know what you're talking about, there's no shame in not voting."

"It's well to joke about me and whomever you choose," added Penn. "I do mind when anybody who doesn't have a child, doesn't have a child at war, or isn't or won't be in harm's way themselves, is encouraging that there's 'no shame in not voting.' "

Penn concludes his letter with a pejorative expletive, and adds as an afterthought a personal invitation to show the filmmakers around Fallouja and Baghdad. "When we return, make all the fun you want," he wrote. Penn declined to comment.

Stone, the film's co-writer and producer, says he was "incredulous" when he received the letter. "I was so surprised. Basically, it's some sort of alien logic. He said that he's not mad at all at us starring him or using his name." According to Stone, what he was actually suggesting is that people should get informed before they vote. "There's this whole concept that you should be ashamed if you don't vote. The only shame is if you're uninformed, on either side, and haven't looked at the issues, and you feel like you should still vote. Encouraging uninformed people to vote doesn't help our country," he said.

Despite the dust-up, Stone insists that Penn does a great job in "Team America." "He has a couple of good scenes in the movie. Even as a puppet, he's a great actor."

[Sleuth]

here is the letter

To Trey Parker and Matt Stone,

I remember a cordial hello when you guys were beginning to be famous guys around Hollywood at some party. I remember several times getting a few giggles out of your humor. I remember not being bothered as you traded on my name among others to appear witty, above it all, and likeable to your crowd. I never mind being of service, in satire and silliness.

I do mind when anybody who doesn't have a child, doesn't have a child at war, or isn't or won't be in harm's way themselves, is encouraging that there's "no shame in not voting" "if you don't know what you're talking about" (Mr. Stone) without mentioning the shame of not knowing what your talking about, and encouraging people to know. You guys are talented young guys but alas, primarily young guys. It's all well to joke about me or whomever you choose. Not so well, to encourage irresponsibility that will ultimately lead to the disembowelment, mutilation, exploitation, and death of innocent people throughout the world. The vote matters to them. No one's ignorance, indcluding a couple of hip cross-dressers, is an excuse.

All best, and a sincere fuck you,

Sean Penn

P.S. Take this as a personal invitation from me to you (you can ask Dennis Miller along for the ride as well) to escort you on a trip, which I took last Christmas. We'll fly to Amman, Jordan and I'll ride with you in a (?) 12 hours through the Sunni Triangle into Fallujah and Baghdad and I'll show you around. When we return, make all the fun you want.

[Jeremy Blackman]

Holy mother of God, this must be the best movie about terrorism ever made.

That's really all I can say. And there's an excrutiatingly profound scene involving vomit.

I don't think Sean Penn gets it... has he seen the movie?

[Pozer]

Holy mother of God, this must be the best movie about terrorism ever made.

That's really all I can say. And there's an excrutiatingly profound scene involving vomit.

I don't think Sean Penn gets it... has he seen the movie?

Sean Penn isn't mad about how he's portrayed in the upcoming film "Team America: World Police." But he's ready to go to war with the filmmakers over some off-camera comments about voting.

[hedwig]

Holy mother of God, this must be the best movie about terrorism ever made.

That's really all I can say. And there's an excrutiatingly profound scene involving vomit.

I don't think Sean Penn gets it... has he seen the movie?

Sean Penn isn't mad about how he's portrayed in the upcoming film "Team America: World Police." But he's ready to go to war with the filmmakers over some off-camera comments about voting.

mmmhmmm

[Jeremy Blackman]

Sean Penn isn't mad about how he's portrayed in the upcoming film "Team America: World Police."

That's what the article says, but the full letter is a little more bitter and sarcastic, don't you think?

I remember several times getting a few giggles out of your humor. I remember not being bothered as you traded on my name among others to appear witty, above it all, and likeable to your crowd . . . When we return, make all the fun you want.

Maybe I'm just bitter because I know this movie is doomed to be misunderstood, because I think it's much more than

satire and silliness

[ono]

Wow, Sean Penn can't write very well.

So Jeremy, I guess you've seen this?  Anything else to add about it?  I mean, along the lines that it's more than "satire and silliness," because it looks to me like that's what it is, and there's nothing wrong with that.

I didn't think it was opening until next week, and then I find there was one screening in my town tonight, and I missed it.  Oh well.

[Jeremy Blackman]

So Jeremy, I guess you've seen this?  Anything else to add about it?  I mean, along the lines that it's more than "satire and silliness," because it looks to me like that's what it is, and there's nothing wrong with that.

I didn't think it was opening until next week, and then I find there was one screening in my town tonight, and I missed it.  Oh well.

I was also surprised by a sneak preview... I caught it in time.

I think the movie is far more cinematic and visual than the trailer suggests. It actually looks like it was harder to make than a human live action movie. The puppets are absolutely captivating, and the only reason they're there is to magnify the absurdity of everything.

And there's like a trinity of satire, three different levels of irony... one for Team America, one for the terrorists, and one for the celebrities... which I'm still trying to get straight.

The scenes where Team America goes into battle are the most poigniant and stinging. This is really one of the best movies I've seen this year, and I think it should be taken seriously.

It's also really, really, really funny (except for most of the Kim Jong Il stuff).

[MacGuffin]

I didn't think it was opening until next week, and then I find there was one screening in my town tonight, and I missed it.  Oh well.

I was also surprised by a sneak preview... I caught it in time.

Paramount was under pressure to solve the ratings question because it plans to screen the film in 800 theaters this weekend as part of a national sneak preview. The studio faced a deadline today for placing ads in newspapers nationwide to advertise the sneaks.

Without the R rating, Paramount would have been forced to pull the sneaks from their scheduled dates.

[Sal]

This was brilliance.  It was the best thing i've seen all year.  Maybe in all the last two years.  I'm still too excited about it to give constructive opinion, but hopefully you will all see it and judge for yourselves.  To tide things over, here's a letter from Sean Penn from thedrudgereport, typos and all:

Hi, I'm Sean Penn.  I didn't require any training for my role in "I Am Sam"

[ono]

Yes, that was posted like five posts up.  Guess you missed it in your excitement.  Much like I missed Mac's posting about the sneak previews.  Guess I just never thought one would actually pop up where I live.

[Sleuth]

No, it's okay, he can post it again.  I'll forgive him

Sal

I'll forgive you

I'll forgive you, Sal.

[MacGuffin]

Why are you responding to Sal? He obviously won't read it.

[Pubrick]

yeah but his mother will.

[Sal]

my mom just told me.  Problem FIXED. Sorry folks!