Next we feature 1998's "Mighty Joe Young", which stars Charlize Theron and Bill Paxton. The film centers around a fifteen-foot-tall gorilla named Joe and the fight to keep him safe and free. From the jungles of Africa to the jungles of Los Angeles, Joe navigates life with his best friend Jill (Theron), who with the help of Gregg (Paxton), tries to give Joe the kind of life he deserves, one where he is the master of his destiny. The film's supporting cast includes Rade Serbedzija, Peter Firth, David Paymer, Regina King, Naveen Andrews, Linda Purl, Richard Riehle, Ray Harryhausen, Terry Moore, Dina Merrill, and Mika Boorem.
The film opens with the death of Jill's mother and also Joe's mother at the hands of poachers. What follows is, in my opinion, one of the most moving scenes of the film, the funeral of Jill's mother. The beautiful "Windsong" is sung hauntingly by a magnificent choir as rose petals fill the air. It's a very touching moment.
Fast forward twelve years and conservationist Gregg O'Hara arrives on the scene wanting his guides to take him to this mountain so he can see Joe for himself.
They do indeed find him, and he's not in a good mood. He wrecks their vehicles and sends them to the clinic for patching up. Gregg finds out Jill saved his life.
Gregg follows Jill through the jungle, hoping to catch another glimpse of the legendary N'Gai Zamu, the sacred guardian.
It's a beautiful setting. While the film is set in Africa, the actual filming of it didn't take place there. Hawaii served as "Africa". In fact, the movie was filmed entirely in Hawaii and California.
Gregg eventually catches up with Jill and Joe, accidentally interrupting a game of "Hide and Seek". With poachers closing in on Joe, Jill agrees with Gregg that the best place for him is at an animal preserve in California.
Jill and Joe trade the jungles of Africa for the crazy jungles of California. "Everything looks the same. How do you know where you are?" Jill asks. "It's easy. The ocean's that way, the mountains are that way, Mexico's that way, and Canada's that away," he replies pointing in different directions. "You don't have to worry about the rest. You'll never see it through the smog."
The animal conservancy Joe goes to already houses many endangered animals, including this yak group.
Joe's habitat is far from ideal. Poachers make their way to his enclosure and bother him, resulting in a very agitated gorilla. He wreaks havoc on a fundraising party, which puts him in solitary confinement. (FYI, during the party scene, look for Terry Moore - the original Jill Young from the 1944 film - who stands with Ray Harryhausen, a technician who worked on the original film. Also, during the party you can spot Dina Merrill trying to get away from the enraged primate. She was married to one of the film's producers.)
Joe gets loose and eventually comes to Grauman's Chinese Theater, where he beats his chest in true giant gorilla fashion.
The film ends on a triumphant, heartwarming note. Joe is back in the wild where he belongs and everything is right with the world. Cast rundown:
Charlize Theron.....................................Jill Young
Bill Paxton............................................Gregg O'Hara
Rade Serbedzija....................................Andrei Strasser
Peter Firth............................................Garth
David Paymer........................................Dr. Harry Ruben
Regina King..........................................Dr. Cecily Banks
Linda Purl.............................................Dr. Ruth Young
Richard Riehle.......................................Commander Gorman
Ray Harryhausen...................................Gentleman At Party
Terry Moore..........................................Elegant Woman At Party
Dina Merrill...........................................Society Woman
Mika Boorem.........................................Young Jill That's it for Mighty Joe Young. I leave you with the full version of "Windsong". Should you like to comment, please remember our posting rules.
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