Mighty Joe Young (B- or 2.5/4 stars)
1998's robust adventure tale 'Mighty Joe Young' might not be amazing, but it far exceeds the 1949 version, which went on to win an Academy Award for special effects. This energetic version, directed by Ron Underwood, is designed to appeal/entertain to the 'whole family' demographic (not violent or confusing for kids, not neutered down for adults); there's a fresh innocence about it. This gorilla flick is not about it being a 'monster', but more about it wanted to be left alone in peace. It's not about a shrieking blonde who sits in the gorilla's hand, it's about a blonde woman who treasures said gorilla. It's also about a zoologist who loves said blonde. In other words, while it's impossible not to think about King Kong while watching this - no one said this script is original - this DOES tell its own story.
When Dr. Ruth Young is killed trying to defend her family of apes from big-game hunters/poachers in Tanzania, her young daughter Jill vows to look after young 'Joe', who is larger than other apes due to a rare genetic mutation. These 2 inseparable orphans grow up together on their home mountain. 12 yrs. later, Jill (now Charlize Theron) keeps her 15 ft. tall/2000 lb. pal Joe out of harm's way; that is until zoologist Gregg O'Hara (Bill Paxton) discovers his whereabouts, wanting samples of his special blood. Seems innocent enough, but some of Gregg's assistants try to sell info about Joe to a sleazy promoter named Strasser (Rade Sherbedgia) - the same poacher who went after Joe as a baby {and Joe bit-off 2 of his fingers}, trying to sell endangered species on the black market. To insure Joe's safety, Jill reluctantly agrees to Gregg's suggestion that they move from Africa to sanctuary in a California wildlife preserve. He acclimates to his new home, but the Conservatory (anxious to use their new star attraction as a fund-raising tool) haphazardly puts Joe in the media spotlight, & Strasser is hot to capture him. Inevitably, Joe escapes from said preserve & runs amok in Hollywood (charity benefit, scaling Mann's Chinese Theater, the Hollywood sign, a carnival, etc.). Chaos, sadness, & heroism ensue.
Again, this film isn't amazing, nor is it original. But it's hard to dislike; engineered to appeal to everyone ... all the time. Yes, there is a tragic death near the beginning of the film, but hey, this is a Disney film; gotta expect that at some point. Plot-wise, there's little going on. A great deal of effort is undertaken to make Joe as likable a gorilla as possible -- he's shown to be smart, childlike, even gentle (except when provoked). And this film contains genial elements of comedy, light romance (Joe is jealous of Jill & Gregg's growing attraction, haha). As for the visuals, well, 'MJY' is a masterpiece of visual effects wizardry. The African scenes, in particular, are remarkable in the way they create a convincing giant gorilla in the wild (the camerawork for these African action scenes must be praised, too). By combining CGI, animatronics, & people in costumes, 'Joe' looks more real than any giant gorilla in any Kong-like iteration. Make-up wizard Rick Baker is to be thanked for that.
The romance btwn. Charlize Theron & Bill Paxton is inevitable, but not overly intrusive. It's more of an obligatory subplot than anything else. Charlize Theron is not only a beauty, but gives a convincing turn as Jill. As for Bill Paxton, well, it's hard to dislike him, too. He's a comfortable asset to any movie he's in (A Simple Plan, Twister, Titanic). Rade Sherbedgia schemes deviously as our token villain. He's fine, but somewhat superfluous. This film probably didn't even need a traditional villain, with so much else going on in the story. Other supporting turns by the likes of David Paymer (scientist), Regina King (assistant), Peter Firth (evil sidekick), Ray Harryhausen (legendary stop-motion animator, in a cameo), & Terry Moore (Jill in the '49 version) add to the proceedings.
You know, one more thing about the special effects. These days, effects tend to overwhelm movies and, love to show a lot of carnage. One positive aspect of said effects here would be the relative civility OF them. There's no big, bad, angry, catastrophic use of them, here {where parents are lulled, the elderly are blasted out of their seats, or kids are scared}. 'MJY' is not meek or harmless, mind you. There's a lot of action. But the general tone of this film is warmer, friendlier, more humorous than your typical 'gorilla' fare. You feel good leaving the theater - as my Nana & Aunt Julie did - not pummeled. I'm reminded of the relationships btwn. the humans, the human-gorilla connections, & the ending scenes. Despite not being daring in style, plot, or execution {a personal bummer for me), 'MJY' in nevertheless a charming adventure flick in which Joe's heroics in the face of human greed, stupidity, & violence makes you want to stand up & cheer.
When Dr. Ruth Young is killed trying to defend her family of apes from big-game hunters/poachers in Tanzania, her young daughter Jill vows to look after young 'Joe', who is larger than other apes due to a rare genetic mutation. These 2 inseparable orphans grow up together on their home mountain. 12 yrs. later, Jill (now Charlize Theron) keeps her 15 ft. tall/2000 lb. pal Joe out of harm's way; that is until zoologist Gregg O'Hara (Bill Paxton) discovers his whereabouts, wanting samples of his special blood. Seems innocent enough, but some of Gregg's assistants try to sell info about Joe to a sleazy promoter named Strasser (Rade Sherbedgia) - the same poacher who went after Joe as a baby {and Joe bit-off 2 of his fingers}, trying to sell endangered species on the black market. To insure Joe's safety, Jill reluctantly agrees to Gregg's suggestion that they move from Africa to sanctuary in a California wildlife preserve. He acclimates to his new home, but the Conservatory (anxious to use their new star attraction as a fund-raising tool) haphazardly puts Joe in the media spotlight, & Strasser is hot to capture him. Inevitably, Joe escapes from said preserve & runs amok in Hollywood (charity benefit, scaling Mann's Chinese Theater, the Hollywood sign, a carnival, etc.). Chaos, sadness, & heroism ensue.
Again, this film isn't amazing, nor is it original. But it's hard to dislike; engineered to appeal to everyone ... all the time. Yes, there is a tragic death near the beginning of the film, but hey, this is a Disney film; gotta expect that at some point. Plot-wise, there's little going on. A great deal of effort is undertaken to make Joe as likable a gorilla as possible -- he's shown to be smart, childlike, even gentle (except when provoked). And this film contains genial elements of comedy, light romance (Joe is jealous of Jill & Gregg's growing attraction, haha). As for the visuals, well, 'MJY' is a masterpiece of visual effects wizardry. The African scenes, in particular, are remarkable in the way they create a convincing giant gorilla in the wild (the camerawork for these African action scenes must be praised, too). By combining CGI, animatronics, & people in costumes, 'Joe' looks more real than any giant gorilla in any Kong-like iteration. Make-up wizard Rick Baker is to be thanked for that.
The romance btwn. Charlize Theron & Bill Paxton is inevitable, but not overly intrusive. It's more of an obligatory subplot than anything else. Charlize Theron is not only a beauty, but gives a convincing turn as Jill. As for Bill Paxton, well, it's hard to dislike him, too. He's a comfortable asset to any movie he's in (A Simple Plan, Twister, Titanic). Rade Sherbedgia schemes deviously as our token villain. He's fine, but somewhat superfluous. This film probably didn't even need a traditional villain, with so much else going on in the story. Other supporting turns by the likes of David Paymer (scientist), Regina King (assistant), Peter Firth (evil sidekick), Ray Harryhausen (legendary stop-motion animator, in a cameo), & Terry Moore (Jill in the '49 version) add to the proceedings.
You know, one more thing about the special effects. These days, effects tend to overwhelm movies and, love to show a lot of carnage. One positive aspect of said effects here would be the relative civility OF them. There's no big, bad, angry, catastrophic use of them, here {where parents are lulled, the elderly are blasted out of their seats, or kids are scared}. 'MJY' is not meek or harmless, mind you. There's a lot of action. But the general tone of this film is warmer, friendlier, more humorous than your typical 'gorilla' fare. You feel good leaving the theater - as my Nana & Aunt Julie did - not pummeled. I'm reminded of the relationships btwn. the humans, the human-gorilla connections, & the ending scenes. Despite not being daring in style, plot, or execution {a personal bummer for me), 'MJY' in nevertheless a charming adventure flick in which Joe's heroics in the face of human greed, stupidity, & violence makes you want to stand up & cheer.