Summary
As a child living in Africa, Jill Young saw her mother killed while protecting wild gorillas from poachers led by Andrei Strasser. Now an adult, Jill cares for an orphaned gorilla named Joe -- who, due to a genetic anomaly, is 15 feet tall. When Gregg O'Hara arrives from California and sees the animal, he convinces Jill that Joe would be safest at his wildlife refuge. But Strasser follows them to the U.S., intent on capturing Joe for himself.
Cast
Charlize Theron
Jill Young
Bill Paxton
Gregg O'Hara
Rade Šerbedžija
Strasser
Peter Firth
Garth
David Paymer
Harry Ruben
Regina King
Cecily Banks
Robert Wisdom
Kweli
Naveen Andrews
Pindi
Lawrence Pressman
Dr. Baker
Linda Purl
Dr. Ruth Young
Mika Boorem
Young Jill Young
Geoffrey Blake
Vern
Christian Clemenson
Jack
Cory Buck
Jason
Liz Georges
Jason's Mother
Richard Riehle
Commander Gorman
Cynthia Allison
News Reporter
Ken Taylor
News Reporter
Ray Harryhausen
Gentleman at Party
Terry Moore
Elegant Woman at Party
Judson Mills
Impatient Driver
Tony Genaro
Boxer Shorts Man
Flo Di Re
Bambi's Owner
Kaylan Romero
Street Kid
Hernan Ruiz
Street Kid
Jenilee Deal
Street Kid
Matt Deal
Street Kid
Bethany Bassler
Cabriolet Girl
Vicki Davis
Cabriolet Girl
Deborah Kellner
Cabriolet Girl
Marguerite Moreau
Cabriolet Girl
Tracey Walter
Conservacy Guard
Larry Brandenburg
Animal Control Duty Officer
Damien Leake
Cop
Neil Kopit
Cop
Janet Eilber
Concerned Mother
Wiley M. Pickett
Police Sharpshooter
John Bower
Carjack Man
Hannah Swanson
Toddler
Laurie Kilpatrick
Toddler's Mom
Richard McGonagle
Panda Owner
Reno Wilson
Poacher
Ted Hartley
Society Man
Dina Merrill
Society Woman
Lily Mariye
Ticket Clerk
John Alexander
Mighty Joe Young
Verne Troyer
Baby Joe
John Munro Cameron
Joe's Mother Gorilla
David St. Pierre
Joe's Father Gorilla
Debbie Lee Carrington
Other Gorilla
Denise Cheshire
Other Gorilla
Darren T. Knaus
Baby Joe (voice)
Crew
Director
Ron Underwood
Original Film Writer
Ruth Rose
Screenplay
Lawrence Konner
Screenplay
Mark Rosenthal
Story
Merian C. Cooper
Reviews
Wuchak
October 24, 2018
6
***Disney flick about “Kong Jr.” with Charlize Theron and Bill Paxton***
A young woman (Charlize Theron) who has raised a giant gorilla named Joe from infancy brings him to an animal sanctuary in Southern California with the aid of a zoologist (Bill Paxton). Meanwhile, a poacher from the past seeks vengeance on the creature (Rade Serbedzija), which breaks free to cause havoc.
“Mighty Joe Young” (1998) was loosely based on the 1949 movie of the same name. I can watch it and enjoy it for what it is, a more kid-friendly version of King Kong with essentially Kong Jr. But, despite a good cast, great F/X and lots of action & adventure, the movie's somehow shallow with cardboard thin characters. When little Johnny gets stuck on the Ferris wheel, compelling Joe to rescue him, I just rolled my eyes. Yet the movie's still well done for what it is: a movie for kids (and the kid IN adults) about a lovable but menacing-when-necessary giant gorilla.
The movie runs 1 hour, 54 minutes and was shot in Kaua'i, Hawaii (the Africa scenes) and Los Angeles, Hollywood & Long Beach, California.
GRADE: C+/B-
Media
Recommendations
Mighty Joe Young
A Woman's Revenge
Born to Be Wild
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Mr. Magoo
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Casper Meets Wendy
Celebrity
D3: The Mighty Ducks
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LEGO DC Comics Super Heroes: The Flash
