Mighty Joe Young

1998 • 114 minutes

About this movie

MIGHTY JOE YOUNG is a thrilling story full of excitement, friendship, courage, and heart. The legendary Joe, a playful, smart fifteen-foot-tall gorilla, and his lifelong best friend Jill Young (Charlize Theron) have grown up together in the remote mountains of Central Africa. When Joe's peaceful existence is shattered by poachers, Jill and zoologist Gregg O'Hara (Bill Paxton) rescue their innocent friend and move him to the safety of an animal conservancy in California. But Joe's safety is short-lived. No longer a myth, his notoriety makes him a target for an enemy from his past -- a ruthless hunter who will do anything to capture the Mighty Joe. From the moment you meet him to his incredible display of courage, Mighty Joe Young will fill your eyes with wonder and your heart with magic.

Ratings and reviews

I could watch this movie over and over again and cry every time it's a great family movie and it's an intense and heartwarming movie if you want to buy this movie PLEASE DO NOT second guest yourself you'll be glad you listened to me if you buy this movie

A gorilla's reputation as a savage monster is undeserved. Gorillas are normally shy, peaceful, gentle giants, unless you provoke them, especially when you come face to face with the alpha male gorilla called the silverback. There have been many movies about the overrated King Kong that motivated people to be afraid of gorillas, the greatest of all primates. Not only that gorillas are one of the most misunderstood, but also one of the most endangered animals on the planet. This Disney film based on the 1949 film of the same name, really shows that accurate truth. It's a bout a young girl named Jill Young (Charlize Theron) who has a bond towards Joe, a young mountain gorilla. Until Joe's mother got shot and killed by a group of poachers led by the dastardly Andrei Strasser (Rade Serbedzija) who's thumb and index finger got bitten off by Joe. Twelve years later, the rare cause of gigantism made Joe grow to great monstrous size at up to fifteen feet tall and tipping the scales at one ton heavy. When Joe gets provoked, he gets into a ferocious rage that leads to destruction. Jill meets a Gregory O'Hara (Bill Paxton) who wants to help Jill to protect Joe from sadistic poachers. This film has wonderful storytelling that delivers inspiring messages about protecting the endangered species and not be exhibited. And kids will learn about the real accurate behavior of gorillas as they will find out that they are not savage monsters. The movie has some amazing structure too; the director (Ron Underwood) has provided some effective craftsmanship, like when the camera quickly zooms in for the character's close up for dramatic effect. He also did a really good job at letting my guard until I got the shock value (usually when Andrei comes out of nowhere). There are some flashbacks as well. The script contains some very clever lines of dialogue for the characters to follow; mostly showing the wits of the main protagonists, including Joe. The score James Horner is emotionally robust with the effective use of the poignant string section, the dramatic piano, and the intense percussion. The scenes involving Jill and Joe are so uplifting and charming as they play hide and seek and when Jill sings a lullaby to Joe that Jill's mother used to sing to her. latter (occurring nearer to the end) is the most emotional part of the whole movie; it's rousing, and I barely broke a tear; I almost cried, all thanks to how Ron Underwood provides a special unique approach to this whole enterprise. The characters are very effective because of the phenomenal acting performances from the whole cast; Jill Young is an utterly likable protagonist; She has the tenacious ability to keep promises and never ever breaking them. She is very protective of Joe as she will go up against all odds, particularly villains, no matter how many or how bad they are. Gregory O'Hara has the wits that are on par with Jill and he is a very supportive character. Andrei Strasser is the main antagonist of the film. He is a Romanian poacher who has a personality that is subtle and conniving which makes him menacing. Not only that he is a killer towards gorillas, he is also a killer responsible for the deaths of Jill's parents. Joe (John Alexander) is a giant mountain gorilla who is a rare creature celebrity that everyone wants a piece of. He has a behavior has emotional power; On his gentle side, he is very playful, good-natured, and even heroic. On his dark side, he is violently destructive and intimidating. The effects are some of the most extraordinary I've ever seen since Jurassic Park; They are a convincing use of digital special effects and practical effects, like animatronic suits. The structure and shape of these gorilla effects look like the exact replica of mountain gorillas with great precision. In conclusion: This rare and unique charmer is an engaging and moving crowd-pleaser that will enchant the entire family and will inspire them to get into wildlife conservation and get to know creatures with misunderstood reputations. Suitable for ages 8 and up. Highly Recommended!

I've been watching this movie since it first came out on VHS and I cry every time especially at the beginning and the ending, I hope one day I can share the same bond with any animal that jill and joe share