Mighty Joe Young DVD with Bill Paxton, Charlize Theron, Rade Serbedzija (PG) +Movie Reviews

MIGHTY Family fun

K. Fontenot | The Bayou State | 11/11/2003

(3 out of 5 stars)

"A feel good story for the whole family, don't expect "Mighty Joe Young" to knock you off your feet. Instead, watch it for the good "Beauty and the Beast" storyline that is well outlined for any age group to watch.
There is some violence in this movie, and smaller children may be frightened by "Joe" at first, but if they can control themselves through the first few minutes, they'll fall in love with him. There is very little, if any, foul language.
The story is simple: Girl and giant ape are moved to the city, girl and giant ape want out, man in love with girl helps, everyone ends up happy.
If you're interested, "Joe" looks fairly realistic, especially for the time this flick was made.
Overall, a good family show that all can watch. I highly recommend it for its entertainment value."

Who Needs King Kong?

Lee Neville | London, ENGLAND | 09/17/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Jill Young's mother is killed by a poacher while trying to protect a baby Gorilla named Joe who is rather big for his age. Jill grows up with the giant Gorilla and takes care of him in honor of her mother. Unfortunately poachers are always on the lookout for the giant gorilla, and so Jill and Joe have to relocate to a mini-preserve in California. Unfortunately the poacher that killed Jill's mother is out for revenge since Joe bit off his finger during the original encounter, and now it seems nowhere is safe for Joe.

What a beautiful movie! Charlize Theron brings real heart to her character and it is her love for Joe as part of her family that makes this a movie to believe in. Bill Paxton does a fine job as the male lead, and they are well supported by great characters and actors (Regina King among them). Also watch out for Naveen Andrews who currently appears in the television series "Lost". The movie is extremely well directed by Ron Underwood, and the beautiful score by James Horner adds the movie's soul to Charlize Theron's heart.

The picture quality on the DVD is good, thanks in part to the amazing cinematography, and the film is in a nicely balanced Dolby Digital 5.1. This movie is a rare gem. So yes it is a remake to the original Mighty Joe Young, and yes we have a new King Kong movie coming up, thus making this a bit of a middle child. Still, once you've seen it, you'll see how wonderful it is. Who needs King Kong? Who needs the original Mighty Joe Young? Hell, who needs Planet Of The Apes? This movie has real heart and soul, once more I credit Charlize Theron and James Horner for that. It won me over. I hope it does you too."

Best Bresson Movie Not Made By Bresson

Kevin Killian | San Francisco, CA United States | 06/16/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Surprised this picture didn't do better at the box office. After making the dreadful Hearts and Souls (with Alfre Woodard, trying to out-do GHOST) and Speechless (the romantic comedy which killed the careers of both its stars, Geena Davis and Michael Keaton) director Ron Underwood bounced back with this inventive, lively remake of an earlier 1949 movie.

It should have made Charlize Theron, who plays Jill Young, a big, big star, but instead, Charlize had to bumble on for a few more years before winning an Oscar.

James Horner's music outdoes his heart-wrenching symphonic themes for TITANIC, BRAVEHEART, and THE ROCKETEER, with a touch of African percussion and wood and wind instruments that bring the plains of Africa into mind whenever you hear them. Charlize has a lovely song, "Wind Song," sort of a lullaby for Mighty Joe, that should have been a hit on the scale of "MY HEART WILL GO ON." But somehow people just weren't interested in this picture. Maybe the forthcoming remake of KING KONG by Peter Jackson will have better luck with audiences. It will have more publicity, for sure, for I don't think the studio was really behind Ron Underwood to the same degree that New Line supports Jackson.

What a cast! Beyond Charlize and Bill Paxton, the movie also features Naveem Andrews (who plays Sayid on ABC's LOST) in a rather comic role, and also everyone's favorite REGINA KING from RAY.

If you liked AU HASARD BALTHAZAR by Robert Bresson, you will also enjoy MIGHTY JOE YOUNG the remake."

NEARLY A CLASSIC

tee-vee-stevie | 06/09/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For a movie that, to me, sounded so wrong it somehow managed to get it so right. I was expecting a King Kong "rip off" which had been given a Free Willy style plot, that would be purely for kids. The main problem I usually have with movies about Gorillas, and associated this with Mighty Joe young, is that they seem to be the one animal that effects people still haven't quite been able to perfect yet and always feel fake. In fact the only reason I watched this movie in the first place was because I was bored and my friend had left a copy at my house...oh the joys of fate! This is an enchanting tale that will capture kids and adults alike, with its story of a giant gorilla that is taken to America to keep it "safe" away from poachers. But of course, things don't go as planned and a heart warming struggle to help Joe find safety and happiness ensues. It basically is an alternative telling of the King Kong story, but it does with grace and a charm that only Disney can provide. The beautiful Charlize Theron is perfect in her jungle woman role and works superbly alongside Bill Paxton. Although the effects still aren't perfect, they are the best gorilla effects I have seen in a movie; at least they don't make you cringe.The sound and picture quality on the dvd are very good, but the extra features (or lack of them) lets down the film. An insight into the effects would have been good, but no, you have to make do with a poxy trailer and featurette. But don't let this put you off. And if you are the same as I was and are doubting whether you will like it, I urge you to give in. You too might be surprised."

Awwwww :)

Meg Cummins | Lansdale, PA United States | 11/10/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ok, this movie makes me cry every time i see it. stupid i know, but what the hey. I love both Bill Paxton and Charlieze Theron, so that was why I saw it initially, but I just love it. Joe looks realistic with the exception of his tongue, which looks goofy, but it still works for me. great kids movie i think too."

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