Maidexpl
Entertaining from beginning to end, it maintains the spirit of the franchise while establishing it's own seal with a fun cast
TrueHello
Fun premise, good actors, bad writing. This film seemed to have potential at the beginning but it quickly devolves into a trite action film. Ultimately it's very boring.
Haven Kaycee
It is encouraging that the film ends so strongly.Otherwise, it wouldn't have been a particularly memorable film
mazec666
Back in 1993, University of Colorado film students Trey Parker and Matt Stone embarked on a project that would catapult them to the big time. A black comedy musical based on the infamous Alferd Packer, the only man ever convicted of cannibalism in the United States. By all means, the determination certainly paid off as this wasn't some tedious student film they were forced to make but it's a one-of-a-kind musical that must be seen to believe.Credited under the amusing pseudonym Juan Schwartz, Trey is a laugh riot in the title role because his expressions and deadpan delivery are oblivious to the events going on around him. His character traits would serve as the basis for Stan Marsh many years down the road. And speaking of "South Park," Matt's nerdy Humphrey is dressed exactly like Kyle Broflowski right down to the green hat and orange parka. And here's another useless trivia before the five trekkers enter the general store, Trey begins to sing the opening line of "It's a Shpadoinkle Day" in his Cartman voice. Okay that's enough of "South Park."In the vibrant role of Polly Pry, Trey's ex-girlfriend Toddy Walters is a naturally beautiful looking woman with an excellent singing voice. When watching the "This Side of Me" musical number, I couldn't help but think Toddy would've have been perfect to sing the theme from "Skyfall." She's got the exquisiteness and stage presence to headline a musical number and record an album without auto tune."Cannibal! The Musical" does have its faults cinematically. For example in Packer's ballerina dream sequence, close-ups of the body double can be seen in between shots. The sets have that "cheesy-as-hell" atmosphere but it does add to the corny artificially to the film. After all, it's supposed to pay homage to the classic Hollywood musicals that Trey watched growing up.If you're a "South Park" or "Team America" fan, watch it! If you're a fan of cheesy slasher films, watch it! And if you're a fan of cult musicals like "Rocky Horror," watch it!
Tromafreak
Simply amazing!! Trey Parker's first attempt at a film would turn out to be one of the most hilarious "non-Kaufman's" Troma has to offer, and quite possibly the funniest film of all time. Not too bad for a first-time director. Now days, everyone pretty much realizes Trey Parker is a genius, and with the massive, never-ending success of South Park, you'd think Cannibal: The Muisical would have, at some point, ended up on television. but I guess there's just something about the word "Troma" that just, I don't know, repels people. Or at least the people who decide what gets played on TV. Anyway, I think it's pretty cool that Troma has the rights to this masterpiece.From what I've seen on The History Channel, The story portrayed in this outlandish musical is a whole lot more authentic than one would think. The musical aspect is practically the only thing about this movie that isn't true, and I'm not even completely sure about that. Cannibal: The Musical is about Alfred Packer, a Utah miner, who is coaxed into leading a gold-mining expedition into Colorado. Not wanting to let down the nice mormon fellows, Alfred leaves out the fact that he has no Idea where Colorado is. Now, an extreme horse-lover, a butcher, a chronic-liar, two mormons, and an eager little gipper would then embark on a comically hopeless journey which could only end with frozen starvation, or cannibalism, with a soundtrack that would become legendary within the Troma universe, as well as any real fan of South Park. Each character is hilarious in his own way, especially Dian Bachar, as the little virgin gipper. That guy is probably funnier than he will ever know. And the one mormon who's always in a good mood, makes the Cannibal: The Musical experience all the more shpadoinkle.It doesn't take long to notice the similarities between Cannibal: the Musical and South Park. In fact, it's the same humor, only, This is better than any single episode of South Park, and that's a fact (my opinion). Trey Parker really makes one wish he had more on-screen roles than this, BASEketball, and Orgazmo. Parker's performance as Alfred Packer is simply priceless, this guy has superb comic timing, and clearly knows what's funny. Native Americans portrayed by Japanese guys being just one example. Someday, hopefully in my lifetime, South Park can wrap up, then maybe Trey Parker will put more time into directing and/or acting. As far as ridiculous B-Horror-comedy/musicals go, Cannibal The Musical beats the hell out of Poultrygeist in every way, without trying nearly as hard. As far as the Troma catalogue goes, there's only a select few that absolutely must be seen by anyone who considers themself any kind of a Troma fan. And this one just might be the king of that mountain. This review was written by someone who hates musicals. 10/10
Vivekmaru45
I am amazed beyond words why this horrible film has an average rating of 7. Truth be told, I watched this film a AFTER I saw Ravenous (1999) directed by Antonia Bird. Ravenous also has an average rating of 7.Alferd Packer is a sense-less film not to be taken seriously. It is a parody of the true story of a real man, Alfred Packer (Born: January 21, 1842. Died: April 23, 1907) who was an American prospector who was accused of cannibalism.In November 1873, Packer was in a party of 21 men who left Provo, Utah, heading for the Colorado gold country around Breckenridge. On January 21, 1874 he met Chief Ouray, known as the White Man's Friend, near Montrose, Colorado. Chief Ouray recommended they postpone their expedition until spring, as they were likely to encounter dangerous winter weather in the mountains.Ignoring Ouray's advice, Packer and five others left for Gunnison, Colorado on February 9. Besides Packer, the group included Shannon Wilson Bell, James Humphrey, Frank "Reddy" Miller, George "California" Noon, and Israel Swan.The party became hopelessly lost and ran out of provisions. They were snowbound in the Rocky Mountains. Packer made three confessions which differed considerably about what followed. In the last, Packer claimed he went scouting and came back to find Shannon Bell roasting human flesh. Bell rushed him with a hatchet, so Packer shot and killed him. Packer insisted that Bell had gone mad and murdered the others.On April 16, 1874, Packer arrived alone at Los Pinos Indian Agency near Gunnison. He spent some time in a Saguache, Colorado saloon, meeting several of his previous party. He claimed self-defense, but his story was not believed.First tried for murder, Packer was eventually sentenced to 40 years in prison after being convicted of manslaughter. However, he was paroled on February 8, 1901 and went to work as a guard at the Denver Post. He died in Deer Creek, in Jefferson County, Colorado, reputedly of "Senility - trouble & worry" at the age of 65. Packer is widely rumored to have become a vegetarian before his death. He was buried in Littleton, Colorado. His grave is marked with a veteran's tombstone listing his original regiment.In conclusion: Alferd Packer The Musical is just another below average horror(?)/comedy film. You are better off watching Ravenous if you haven't seen it yet. There is another film made: The Legend of Alfred Packer (1980) and also Devoured: The Legend of Alferd Packer (2005).Cheers! :) Email me
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Coventry
This looks like the most retarded movie ever unleashed upon horror & cult film loving audiences – and perhaps it is – but at the same time "Cannibal! The Musical!" is also the most pleasant surprise I've encountered in years and undeniably an extremely relaxing comedy experience. The repertoire of Trey Parker and Matt Stone, and definitely their odd sense of humor, may be an acquired taste but at least these gentlemen deliver something totally unique each time and have the guts to approach unusual and provocative themes. Any fan of "South Park" and "Team America: World Police" is likely to agree on that. With "Cannibal! The Musical", entirely completed whilst still attending university, Trey Parker filmed his own and slightly demented version of Alferd Packer's life story. I'm not at all familiar with the case, but supposedly Parker sticks close to the general facts about the only person in Colorado ever to be convicted for cannibalism. He's a lonely traveler (with a strange affection for his horse Lianne) that gets dragged along into an expedition to seek for more fertile places to live. The journey is much longer than anticipated and the eccentric group of five men runs into wicked competition (three "cowboys" that steel Alferd's horse), a bizarre tribe of Indians (that are actually Japanese) and eventually insanity and unbearable famishing. The opening sequence in court shows how the protagonist is accused of mercilessly butchering and eating his fellow travelers, but he then tells the female reporter Polly how things 'really' happened. "Cannibal! The Musical" isn't really a horror film and doesn't contain that much gore, apart from during the opening minutes, but that's meant as a sarcastic joke as the brief prologue just mentioned that all the violent parts have been removed – and I quote – for your viewing pleasure. The script is incredibly funny, with tasteless humor as well as subtle gags and clever references towards American history and the legal system. The songs are fantastic and truly hilarious – unlike I expected, I must admit – and of course the "Let's Build a Snowman" sequences are the absolute highlights of the film. I watched this movie with a mate, and ever since we're finishing every discussion or conversation with building a tall…or a not so tall …SNOWMAN! Lloyd Kaufman's company Troma Films eventually distributed the movie. I know many people are skeptical and/or hold a grudge against Troma (I'm actually one of them) but this "Cannibal! The Musical" is a prime example of why you shouldn't judge a film based on its production company. It's a world of difference compared to what low-grade smut Troma usually soils the horror-market with and I recommend it highly!
