Mighty Joe Young
As a child living in Africa, Jill Young saw her mother killed while protecting wild gorillas from poachers led by Andrei Strasser. Now an adult, Jill cares for an orphaned gorilla named Joe -- who, due to a genetic anomaly, is 15 feet tall. When Gregg O'Hara arrives from California and sees the animal, he convinces Jill that Joe would be safest at his wildlife refuge. But Strasser follows them to the U.S., intent on capturing Joe for himself.
Critics Sentiment
Joe climbs burning Ferris wheel to save trapped child
Joe trashes the fundraising gala after being frightened
The film recovers from its lowest point at the gala disaster to achieve its emotional peak during Joe's heroic Ferris wheel rescue, a swing of 3.3 points.
Critics found Mighty Joe Young to be a competent but unremarkable family film that showcased impressive special effects but suffered from formulaic plotting and weak villains. The film's emotional core around the Joe-Jill relationship and the spectacular Ferris wheel climax earned praise, though many felt it was too derivative of King Kong and lacked the original's charm. Most reviewers appreciated it as decent family entertainment while noting it fell short of Disney's better offerings.
Full cast
Showing 20 of 52
Charlize Theron
Jill Young
Bill Paxton
Gregg O'Hara
Rade Šerbedžija
Strasser
Peter Firth
Garth
David Paymer
Harry Ruben
Regina King
Cecily Banks
Robert Wisdom
Kweli
Naveen Andrews
Pindi
Lawrence Pressman
Dr. 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
Richard Riehle
Commander Gorman
Cynthia Allison
News Reporter
Ken Taylor
News Reporter
Ray Harryhausen
Gentleman at Party
Terry Moore
Elegant Woman at Party
Crew
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