Reel Talk - Pt. 1 - Kong: Skull Island Series

Reel Talk

Pt. 1 - Kong Skull Island

I. Introduction

Godzilla. The Creature from the Black Lagoon. The Blob. Frankenstein. All classic monster characters. However, the one monster that has stood the test of times and continues to end up on film is King Kong. The story line doesn't change much. King Kong arrives on the scene and there seems to be this perpetual conflict between man and the beast while at the same time the giant ape seems to have a soft spot for the woman lead in the movie. Not too much different in the Kong Skull Island except for a small twist in plot. You saw the basics of the story line. Scientists discover what they believe is the last frontier. An uncharted island which unbeknownst to them is not uninhabited. They make their way to Skull Island and begin dropping seismic charges from helicopters. These charges provide scientific data about the island. However, in the middle of dropping the bombs Kong shows up and attacks. This begins the one on one war with Samuel Jackson's character who believes that Kong is determined to destroy them. So, after crash landing, Samuel Jackson goes on a mission to kill Kong in retribution for killing his men. It is on this mission that you hear one of Jackson's men make the statement "Sometimes the enemy doesn't exist until you go looking for one!" In the mean time, the scientists encounter an old soldier was stranded on the island since after World War 2. He informs them that Kong is actually not attacking them but reacting to the bombs because the bombs wake up creatures from the under earth called "Skull Crawlers". So in other words, Kong isn't against them. He is, in fact, for them. He isn't trying to destroy them but rather protecting them and the lost people group that inhabits the island.

"Sometimes the enemy doesn't exist until you go looking for one!"

Text: 1 Kings 16:29-30 (Message)

Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah. Ahab son of Omri was king over Israel for twenty-two years. He ruled from Samaria. Ahab son of Omri did even more open evil before God

than anyone yet—a new champion in evil!

1 Kings 17:1

And then this happened: Elijah the Tishbite, from among the settlers of Gilead, confronted Ahab: “As surely as God

lives, the God of Israel before whom I stand in obedient service, the next years are going to see a total drought—not a drop of dew or rain unless I say otherwise.” (NIV - Except at my word)

Elijah, at the direction and leading of God and in response to Ahab's evil, proclaims there will be a drought. He also says this drought will only conclude by my word. I don't know about you but if I come into contact with someone who can not only turn the rain off but is also the only one who can turn the rain back on, then I am going to go out of my way to protect that individual at all cost. If you hold the key to ending my famine, then I am going to guard you! However, 3 years later, Elijah arrives on the scene to bring an end to destruction, danger, and drought and instead of honor, favor, protection you see a downward progression in Ahab's attitude toward Elijah.

1 Kings 18:17-18

The moment Ahab saw Elijah he said, “So it’s you, old troublemaker!”“It’s not I who has caused trouble in Israel,” said Elijah, “but you and your government—you’ve dumped God’s ways and commands and run off after the local gods, the Baals.

So, Elijah calls the famous showdown between himself and 450 prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. The prophets try to call fire down on an altar and fail. Elijah soaks the altar in water and with a short prayer calls down fire from God to engulf the altar. A stunning victory. Elijah kills the 450 prophets. The nation repents and rain falls again on the parched earth. Friend. Protector. Savior. Not so fast . . . Check out the next exchange between these men.

1 Kings 21:17-21 (NIV)

Then the word of the Lord came to Elijah the Tishbite: “Go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, who rules in Samaria. He is now in Naboth’s vineyard, where he has gone to take possession of it. Say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: Have you not murdered a man and seized his property?’ Then say to him, ‘This is what the Lord says: In the place where dogs licked up Naboth’s blood, dogs will lick up your blood—yes, yours!’” Ahab said to Elijah, “So you have found me, my enemy!” “I have found you,” he answered, “because you have sold yourself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord. He says, ‘I am going to bring disaster on you. I will wipe out your descendants and cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel—slave or free.