South Park:
Bigger, Longer,
and Uncut
One Students View
When one envisions the theme or genre of apocalyptic film, one may
laugh or think that it’s a joke when hearing the title South Park: Bigger,
Longer and Uncut. After a closer look one truly discovers a well thought
out portrayal of the fear of an upcoming Apocalypse and all that go hand in
hand with it. South Park takes the
audience on a journey literally to: The gates of Heaven, to the depths of Hell,
and ultimately to site of Armageddon. Again, once the initial shock wears off,
it becomes very apparent that South Park tackles the Apocalypse like few
other films in the 90’s have dared to.
A common misconception is that the bible has constant references to a figure named the Antichrist. “four beasts arise from the sea, each different than the others (Dan 7:3-8). The first is a lion with wings; The second, a bear with three tusks; The third, a winged leopard with four heads; and lastly, a great beast with iron teeth and ten horns. As the dream continues, a new, smaller horn, which displays eyes and a mouth “speaking arrogantly”, rises from the beast’s skull, ripping out three of the previous horns in the process (7:8). As these creatures die, the words of the “Ancient One” become apparent to Daniel, telling of His “everlasting dominion” and “a kingship… that will never be destroyed”. (7:13-14) This film is no different in that the Anti-Christ in this film takes form as Saddam Hussein. Hussein plays the pivotal role of Satan’s
minion
of darkness. Throughout the film Hussein speaks “arrogantly” as if 
he is the Prince of Darkness. In one
scene in which both Satan and Hussein discuss the final sign of the Apocalypse
in which the blood of the innocent touches American soil; Hussein revels over
the fact that He will rule for 2 million years. Which is a clear reference
to the Tribulation of the war of Armageddon. Furthermore, They continue to
discuss how the 3rd war would usher in this period of darkness and
how this small town of South Park would serve as home to the great battle
between good and evil.
Ultimately, the Great War does not come to pass, but the beginning
of such was demonstrated in the final scene of the film. In which the earth
splits open and a tornado-like spiral of demons arises from the pits of Hell,
out of which come Satan and the eventual savior Kenny. This scene is similar to
Book of Revelation “When he opened the Abyss smoke from a gigantic furnace. The
sun and sky were darkened by the smoke from the Abyss. And out of the smoke
locusts came down upon the earth and were given power like that of scorpions of
the earth (Rev 9:2-3)”.
The issue of Rapture is dealt with through the character of Kenny.
Kenny is a fallen soul who finds himself in the pits of Hell after an untimely
death. While wandering through Hell
Kenny over hears the conversation between Satan and Hussein dealing with the
seven signs of the apocalypse. Kenny attempts to help his friends by appearing
to them as an angelic figure in their dreams, to warn them of the evils that
lie ahead. After failing to properly relay his message, Kenny takes on a more
direct approach. He confronts Satan about his plans and makes an attempt to
sway him from his planned course of action. However, Kenny’s words of wisdom
finally get across, and are potent enough to make even Satan himself see the
errors of his ways. Satan in turn grants
Kenny any one wish he desires.
Kenny chooses to bring peace to his hometown instead of asking for a second
chance at life. This unselfish choice literally raises Kenny to the heavens as
was promised in the scriptures. In the end, the town of South Park is shown to
return to a spring-like day in which all is peaceful and right. Friends and
enemies alike rejoice together in the defeat of a common enemy. This is a clear
allusion to the promise of an everlasting Kingdom of Peace as stated in the
book of Revelation, with promises of a New Jerusalem as a reward for
faithfulness after death (21: 1-4).
Deuteronomistic Theology preached the idea that if you obey God’s
laws, you will be rewarded here on Earth. If you disobeyed these laws, you
would be punished. This helped to deter people from breaking the Holy Laws even
if it would make their life more bearable; If people were going through hard
times, it was not that God was punishing them, but that He was testing them,
and they would reap in the benefits if they remained loyal. As it became
apparent that the “End Times” were not going to happen immediately, a new way
of thought took shape: Apocalyptic Theology, which states that the kingdom
which Daniel spoke of will happen not on Earth, but after death. This way of
thinking has lasted until even today as an effective way of having people stay
in accordance with the Holy Laws.
In conclusion, many would view the selection of South Park: Bigger, Longer, And Uncut on to this page of Apocalyptic Film in the 90’s as an error, but again as the old saying goes, one shouldn’t judge a film by it’s cover.
SATANBehold, the signs of my reign on earthare all falling into place! The fall ofan empire-He points to an ancient-looking picture of the death of Ceasar.SATAN-The coming of a comet-He points to a picture of a comet passing by Earth.SATAN....And now....Satan points to an ancient drawing on the wall. It looks like Terrance and Phillip being stabbed in the head.SATANThe seventh sign! When the blood ofthese Canadians touches American soil...It will be my time to rise!!!!!
The Devil’s Advocate South
Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut The Matrix
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