The movie opens up with all of the South Park kids scouring the woods because Cartman claims he has seen a leprechaun, but of course Kyle believes it is a joke. Kyle is so adamant in his belief that he has made a bet with Cartman. If the leprechaun is not real, Cartman owes Kyle 10 dollars. If it is, Kyle must suck Cartman's, err, you get the picture. So imagine Kyle's shock when the group find and trap the little green guy. Of course, this is nothing compared to everyone's shock when the little guy tells the boys that terrorists are about to attack.
While leaving the forest that the leprechaun was found in, Jimmy, Kenny, Kyle, Stan and Butters run into a strange man who claims to be the mayor of Imaginationland. This mayor takes the boys to Imaginationland so that they can deliver the leprechaun's message. In this fairytale world, we see glimpses of characters like Gizmo, Snarf, Mighty Mouse, Flash, Count Chocula, Cinderella, Rapunzul, Orko, Lollypop King and Strawberry Shortcake in the quick pans across the scene. Unfortunately, the kids are too late as the terrorists appear just as they get used to their new surroundings.
In the attempt to flee Imaginationland on the back of Draco from Dragonheart, Butters gets left behind and captured by the terrorists. Back on Earth, Cartman tries to get Kyle to make good on the bet, but when Kyle refuses, they go to court and the judge rules against Kyle. Meanwhile, the Military analyzes a terrorist video and realizes that Butters, who is being forced to read a letter at gunpoint, isn't an imaginary character and round up Kyle and Stan to a secret military base to try and stop the terrorists, much to Cartman's protest since Cartman was about to get his victory.
Meanwhile, the terrorists successfully blow up the wall between the good side and bad side of imagination, thus releasing all of the evil characters we have imagined. This lets loose everyone from Cylons to Alien and Predator to Stormtroopers and Jason and Cartman's Woodland Critters from the most recent holiday episode.
Meanwhile, back in Washington D.C., the kids learn that the government has a portal into the imagination (that looks remarkably like the Stargate), but it doesn't quite work. It seems the kids know the final key to opening the portal and letting the American troops into everyone's imagination. Unfortunately, just as the door opens and the military group (led by Kurt Russell) begins to head into the portal, Cartman breaks into the scene and convinces the military to have Kyle fulfill the contract. Once again, this action is interrupted when a familiar group of woodland critters kills off the troops (and Kurt Russell) and Al Gore's Manbearpig makes its way back into the base, almost killing Kyle and throwing Stan through the portal.
Back in Imaginationland, Butters makes his way to a safe haven, while the evil characters begin to bicker over who will lead, the Christmas Critters appear and, after a few examples of just how demented these cute critters are, the other characters become scared and start to follow Cartman's demonic creations. Meanwhile, Butters and his small party make it to Castle Sunshine and in front of the Council of Nine, comprised of Jesus, Luke Skywalker, Wonder Woman, Aslan, Morpheus, Popeye, Zeus, Glinda the Good Witch and Gandalf. Here the council tells Butters that he, as a real person, has immense power in this world, and only he can restore Imaginationland to its rightful state.
In retaliation of Manbearpig's attack on the military bunker, the government decides the only way to stop this threat is to nuke our imagination. Can Butters fulfill his destiny before the American Army destroys it? The final third of this movie focuses on the battle between the good and bad imaginary creatures, with Butters creating good characters left and right to fight in the war, as well as Cartman's final attempt to get Kyle to fulfill his part of the bargain and the Military having to deal with protestors who believe sending a nuke into our imaginations is the wrong answer.
Also included on this DVD is not only wonderful commentary by Trey Parker and Matt Stone, but also two episodes, "Woodland Critter Christmas" and "Manbearpig," to give people who haven't seen those episodes context for those particular imaginary characters.
I have to say, the sheer volume of obscure references that are found throughout this movie is astounding. There are many scenes that are filled with crowds of imaginary characters. Let's just say, it's good to know I'm not the only one who remembers shows like "Dino-Riders" and "Silverhawks," and any fan of South Park should be proud to pick up this DVD, especially since Season 11, where these episodes take place, hasn't been released yet.
