While I can understand the basis of your anger about the film, I feel I must also point out that it was a work of Satire, though perhaps not as in the tradition of Joanthan Swift, or Alexander Pope. Yes, Kim Jon Il is much maligned in the film, that much is obvious. The film also takes shots at Michael Moore, the Film Actors Guild, The American Foreign Policy, or what it is percieved to be, and a plethora of other figures. While I in no way agree with the Swiftian picture the film presents, I would point out that it is just a movie, albeit a horrible one that probably never should have been made.

I wasn't expecting to like Team America much (only saw it a couple of weeks ago and I've never much cared for South Park). Imagine my surprise, it quickly became one of my favorite films of the last few years.

And the main point of the movie is not political satire (tho there's some of that too) but film satire (specifically the genre of action movies, which have become more formulaic and predictable than your typical Bollywood product).

Still, I love the idea of people taking its portrayal of Kim Jong Il seriously and getting upset about it.

What surprised me about it was the rerative rack of poriticar satire.

A wercome dig at Hans Brix and Michaew Moore, but just as much at gung-ho war supporters too, and otherwise quite squarery aimed at Horrywood, not poriticians.

And eye-wateringry funny armost arr the way through.

Please Brian, give the inestimable Rob Hinkely the glory. He's the brave soul who ferrets these loonies out.

Pete, you probably know this already, but Trey Parker, the brains behind Team America and the voice behind most of its characters, is openly libertarian and there are interviews with him (sorry, can't provide links right now) in which he makes it clear that his sympathies lie with the Team America world view, however engagingly he sends them up.

Got to love the korea-dpr forum.

They seem so ronery.

Mr Jacob, I think you may have misunderstood the motivations of Mr Micklethwait in posting this piece.

Just a quick question, does anybody love the expression "I am terrored," as much as I do? I can't wait for chances to use it.

Tim, you're quite right. This much is made clear in the film's dicks, pussies and assholes speech. Whenever I meet a leftie who loves the film because of its send-up of US foreign policy, I always enjoy pointing out to them who the real villains of the film are, a point they somehow seem to miss.

More on topic: I'm quite taken aback by this korea-dpr forum. I knew on an abstract level there were loony communists in the West but it's still quite shocking to read people from the UK and Canada in all seriousness calling each other "comrade".

Anyone of any political bent who takes any political vindication from Team America has some serious reality issues.
But the funniest targets aren't political, but aesthetic:

"Without an actor, they were like pigs to the slaughter"
"I need you like Ben Affleck needs acting school ..."
"You need a montage ..."