Mighty Joe Young (1998)

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

Great story, amazing characters, superb action, enthralling cinematography. Yes, this is something I am glad I spent money on.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

A great movie, one of the best of this year. There was a bit of confusion at one point in the plot, but nothing serious.

I watched the original MIGHTY JOE YOUNG recently and really enjoyed as a lesser variant of KING KONG. This full-colour, all-action, CGI-animated remake takes that premise and turns it into a soppy, unashamedly sentimental family film that lacks all of the characterisation, drama and danger of the oldie. And it proves, once and for all, that stop motion creations are much better at expressing character than their CGI counterparts.In some ways the movie is oddly old-fashioned, particularly in the early scenes of Naveen Andrews running around calling the white man 'boss' which I found oddly uncomfortable (inevitably, the bad guys in this are all foreign and the good guys all American). Then there's plenty of politically correct greenie stuff and an excruciating turn from Charlize Theron as a Jungle Jane type who strides from the bushes with a full face of make-up. Only in Hollywood! Once the action shifts to America I hoped it would start picking up, but it never does. The CGI effects are admittedly good but lack the charm of their olden-day versions and the large-scale mayhem is no different from two dozen similar, cookie-cutter Hollywood action flicks. I couldn't help but feel embarrassed for Bill Paxton appearing in such twee and childish fare, but then he did appear in the same year's A SIMPLE PLAN so it wasn't all bad for him.

This remake of Mighty Joe Young updates the story to present day but keeps the same plot beats, and dresses it in state of the art special effects.The story - misunderstood ape in the city, hunted, but redeems himself by heroic action during calamity - works as well as it did in the original, and is augmented by wicked hunters.Charlize Theron and Bill Paxton are attractive leads, but the film belongs to Joe. He is achieved by a mix of animatronics and CGI (and, I suspect, the occasional bloke in an ape suit), but he succeeds as a character who displays emotion and engages audience sympathetic.This bright, colourful film is a charming and exciting family movie.

I watched this film years ago and finally have come to comment on it. The film is a tale of a ape and a woman who decides after the death of Joes mother to take him back to the US. But Joe escapes and hysteria ensues.The film is a kids movie bringing the tale of King Kong back with a different kind of twist that works if you haven't watched King Kong; there are similarities but Joe has a softer quality almost a human touch to him that makes the audience connect.The CGI is quite convincing and the way the animal moves is brilliantly done..... A nice kids movie...

I've seen this film several times and have to say I thoroughly enjoyed it each time. The performances from from Charlize Theron and Bill Paxton are excellent and the Special Effects are tremendous. The film has a relatively straightforward plot, but also has some powerful emotional scenes as well. The film is well written and directed with it ensuring it appeals to children who will not be frightened by Joe. Moreover, this is not a horror film but rather a story of a misunderstood creature that wants to be at peace. Mighty Joe You is one of the better films out there suitable for both children and adults to enjoy and I highly recommended it.10/10