Mighty Joe (1998)
"Mighty Joe Young" (original title)

After Mighty Joe Young is brought to America for safety reasons, he escapes and rampages through Hollywood, spurred by tormentors out for revenge.

Director:

Ron Underwood

Writers:

Merian C. Cooper (story), Ruth Rose (earlier screenplay),

Stars:

Charlize Theron, Bill Paxton, Rade Serbedzija

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 1 win & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Charlize Theron	...	Jill Young
Bill Paxton	...	Professor Gregory 'Gregg' O'Hara
Rade Serbedzija	...	Andrei Strasser
Peter Firth	...	Garth
David Paymer	...	Harry Ruben
Regina King	...	Cecily Banks
Robert Wisdom	...	Kweli
Naveen Andrews	...	Pindi
Lawrence Pressman	...	Dr. Elliot 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

Storyline

The baby gorilla left in her care grows up to become a hugely tall and broad specimen by the name of Joe, living in the mountains as a mostly unseen legend among people who live there. Along comes an eco-minded emissary from a California sanctuary, who talks the jungle girl into providing safe haven for Joe at the L.A. facility. The transition is not without discomfort, but everything is aggravated via a conspiracy of poachers to get Joe into their own greedy hands!

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Plot Keywords:

gorilla | poacher | hunter | california | rampage | 

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Taglines:

Survival is an instinct.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Family | Fantasy | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG for some menacing action violence and mild language

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English Swahili

Release Date:

25 December 1998 (USA)

Also Known As:

Store Joe Young

Filming Locations:

Hawaii, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$90,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

£450,947 (UK) (26 March 1999)

Gross:

£4,307,343 (UK) (18 June 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

RKO Pictures, Walt Disney Pictures

Technical Specs

Runtime:

114 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The melody being played on the boardwalk is "Beautiful Dreamer," the favorite of Joe in the original film.

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Quotes

Jill Young: [Gregg is holding out his hand to shake on their deal that Jill is in charge of Joe if they go with him to L.A] That's not how we make deals around here. You have to get bitten by a Mahooky Spider, you'll get a fever and delusions. You'll start to say things. Then if you're intensions prove true... we trust you.
Greg O'Hara: [pausing] If I get bit and prove true, you'll come with me?
Jill Young: Yep. What do you think?
Greg O'Hara: [staring at her] I think that's the biggest load of crap I've ever heard.
Jill Young: [smiles] maybe you're not such ...

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Connections

Edited into Scorcher (2002)

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Soundtracks

"Calliope Music"
Written and Performed by Richard Gibbs

User Reviews

Fantasic effects that are very realistic

This update of "Mighty Joe Young" features incredible visual effects. They are so seemlessly blended into the picture that Joe seems more than real.

Bill Paxton is great as usual. In fact, most of the cast is pretty good. Charlize Theron is both tough and sexy. She worked better with Paxton than the contrived relationship he had with Helen Hunt in "Twister".

I watched this movie with my kids and they loved it too. Definately a thumbs-up as a family movie. I recommend it.