Mighty Joe Young (1998)
Directed by Ron Underwood
Genres - Action, Adventure, Fantasy, Drama, Children's/Family |
Sub-Genres - Animal Picture, Family-Oriented Adventure, Jungle Film |
Release Date - Dec 25, 1998 (USA) |
Run Time - 114 min. |
Countries - United States |
MPAA Rating - PG
Share on
Synopsis by Tom Meek
This 1998 version of Mighty Joe Young begins with a Gorillas in the Mist-type prologue and then jumps forward twelve years to find Bill Paxton leading a safari expedition to capture the legendary giant (two-ton) gorilla, the subject of the film's title. Paxton's intentions are admirable; he wants to remove the majestic beast from the imminent danger of poachers and set him up on a posh nature reserve in California. The x-factor comes in the form of Charlize Theron's beautiful jungle girl, Jill Young. Jill has been Joe's soul mate from birth and is the only human who can communicate with him. She is also the reason Paxton's maverick-on-the-run lingers at the reserve after his task is completed. From there, the plot is spurred on by the nefarious actions of a poacher with an Ahab complex and a battery of money hungry scientists who want to exploit Joe. Naturally, all of this puts a burr under the towering simian's skin, causing him to break free and go ape in L.A.'s concrete jungle.
Characteristics
Moods
Themes
Keywords
ape, beauty-and-the-beast, capture, expedition, giant, gorilla, jungle, King Kong, love-triangle, man-vs-animal, poacher, soulmate
Attributes
High Production Values