Movie Cosmos - Mighty Joe Young

Description:

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.

Top Cast >

Charlize Theron

As Jill Young

Bill Paxton

As Gregg O'Hara

Rade Šerbedžija

As Strasser

Peter Firth

As Garth

David Paymer

As Harry Ruben

Regina King

As Cecily Banks

Robert Wisdom

As Kweli

Naveen Andrews

As Pindi

Lawrence Pressman

As Dr. Baker

Linda Purl

As Dr. Ruth Young

Mika Boorem

As Young Jill Young

Geoffrey Blake

As Vern

Christian Clemenson

As Jack

Cory Buck

As Jason

Liz Georges

As Jason's Mother

Richard Riehle

As Commander Gorman

Cynthia Allison

As News Reporter

Ken Taylor

As News Reporter

Ray Harryhausen

As Gentleman at Party

Terry Moore

As Elegant Woman at Party

Judson Mills

As Impatient Driver

Tony Genaro

As Boxer Shorts Man

Flo Di Re

As Bambi's Owner

Kaylan Romero

As Street Kid

Hernan Ruiz

As Street Kid

Jenilee Deal

As Street Kid

Matt Deal

As Street Kid

Bethany Bassler

As Cabriolet Girl

Vicki Davis

As Cabriolet Girl

Deborah Kellner

As Cabriolet Girl

Marguerite Moreau

As Cabriolet Girl

Tracey Walter

As Conservacy Guard

Larry Brandenburg

As Animal Control Duty Officer

Damien Leake

As Cop

Neil Kopit

As Cop

Janet Eilber

As Concerned Mother

Wiley M. Pickett

As Police Sharpshooter

John Bower

As Carjack Man

Hannah Swanson

As Toddler

Laurie Kilpatrick

As Toddler's Mom

Richard McGonagle

As Panda Owner

Reno Wilson

As Poacher

Ted Hartley

As Society Man

Dina Merrill

As Society Woman

Lily Mariye

As Ticket Clerk

John Alexander

As Mighty Joe Young

Verne Troyer

As Baby Joe

John Munro Cameron

As Joe's Mother Gorilla

David St. Pierre

As Joe's Father Gorilla

Debbie Lee Carrington

As Other Gorilla

Denise Cheshire

As Other Gorilla

Darren T. Knaus

As Baby Joe (voice)

Top Crew >

Ron Underwood

Director

Paul Hirsch

Editor

Tom Jacobson

Producer

Mark Rosenthal

Screenplay

Rick Baker

Special Effects, Makeup Artist

Ted Hartley

Producer

Jacqueline Levine

Associate Producer

Gail Katz

Executive Producer

Mark Lisson

Co-Executive Producer

Michael Fottrell

Co-Producer

Jim Chory

Associate Producer

Gary Stutman

Co-Executive Producer

Ralph Winter

Supervising Producer

Matt Leonard

Stunts

Joe Bucaro III

Stunts

Julie D'Antoni

Production Office Assistant

Eugene Collier

Stunts

Tim Trella

Stunts

Doc Duhame

Stunts

Pat Romano

Stunts

James Horner

Original Music Composer

Pam Dixon

Casting

Michael Corenblith

Production Design

Molly Maginnis

Costume Design

Tom Southwell

Art Direction

Dan Webster

Supervising Art Director

Oliver Wood

Director of Photography

Merideth Boswell

Set Decoration

Donald Peterman

Director of Photography

Charlie Daboub

Art Direction

Greg Wolfson

Set Decoration

Troy Gilbert

Stunts

Paul A. Edwards

Camera Operator

Leigh Hennessy

Stunts

Troy Robinson

Stunts

Troy Brown

Stunts

Terry Leonard

Second Unit Director

Walter Scott

Stunts

Ruth Rose

Original Film Writer

Lawrence Konner

Screenplay

Merian C. Cooper

Story

Keith Woulard

Stunts

Jimmy N. Roberts

Stunt Double

Joey Box

Utility Stunts

Doc Antle

Animal Wrangler

Reviews:

Wuchak (6/10)

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-

2018-10-24

r96sk (7/10)

It's basically 'King Kong', let's be honest.

In fairness, though, 'Mighty Joe Young' does do its own thing and it's a film I did feel entertained by. Bill Paxton (Gregg) and Charlize Theron (Jill) are two of the big reasons, they are both enjoyable in this. The effects/animatronics for the gorilla are also impressive, even when Joe is shown via people in costume (incl. Verne Troyer!) he looks decent. They did a fine job in that regard.

The premise isn't anything revolutionary, but there is certainly a fair amount of heart in there. I would've liked it more without the typical happy ending, admittedly. The music and cinematography is solid. The villains, meanwhile, are probably this production's weakest area, I never really became interested in them or their story.

Good film, all in all.

2020-10-09