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Mighty Joe Young

    Adventure
    Family
    Action
    Fantasy
63%tmdb logo
•
Dec 25, 1998
Rated PG

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.

Details

  • Directors
  • Budget
    $90,000,000
  • Vote Average
    6.3
  • Vote Count
    794
  • Popularity
    13
  • Language
    Kiswahili
  • Origin Country
    US

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  • Disney Plus logo

    • Cast

    Background image 1
    Charlize Theron
    Jill Young
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    Bill Paxton
    Gregg O'Hara
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    Rade Šerbedžija
    Strasser
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    Peter Firth
    Garth
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    David Paymer
    Harry Ruben
    Background image 6
    Regina King
    Cecily Banks
    Background image 7
    Robert Wisdom
    Kweli
    Background image 8
    Naveen Andrews
    Pindi
    Background image 9
    Lawrence Pressman
    Dr. Baker
    Background image 10
    Linda Purl
    Dr. Ruth Young
    Background image 11
    Mika Boorem
    Young Jill Young
    Background image 12
    Geoffrey Blake
    Vern
    Background image 13
    Christian Clemenson
    Jack
    Background image 14
    Cory Buck
    Jason
    Background image 15
    Liz Georges
    Jason's Mother
    Background image 16
    Richard Riehle
    Commander Gorman
    Background image 17
    Cynthia Allison
    News Reporter
    Background image 18
    Ken Taylor
    News Reporter
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    Ray Harryhausen
    Gentleman at Party
    Background image 20
    Terry Moore
    Elegant Woman at Party
    Background image 21
    Judson Mills
    Impatient Driver
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    Tony Genaro
    Boxer Shorts Man
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    Flo Di Re
    Bambi's Owner
    Background image 24
    Kaylan Romero
    Street Kid
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    Hernan Ruiz
    Street Kid
    Background image 26
    Jenilee Deal
    Street Kid
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    Matt Deal
    Street Kid
    Background image 28
    Bethany Bassler
    Cabriolet Girl
    Background image 29
    Vicki Davis
    Cabriolet Girl
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    Deborah Kellner
    Cabriolet Girl
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    Marguerite Moreau
    Cabriolet Girl
    Background image 32
    Tracey Walter
    Conservacy Guard
    Background image 33
    Larry Brandenburg
    Animal Control Duty Officer
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    Damien Leake
    Cop
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    Neil Kopit
    Cop
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    Janet Eilber
    Concerned Mother
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    Wiley M. Pickett
    Police Sharpshooter
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    John Bower
    Carjack Man
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    Hannah Swanson
    Toddler
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    Laurie Kilpatrick
    Toddler's Mom
    Background image 41
    Richard McGonagle
    Panda Owner
    Background image 42
    Reno Wilson
    Poacher
    Background image 43
    Ted Hartley
    Society Man
    Background image 44
    Dina Merrill
    Society Woman
    Background image 45
    Lily Mariye
    Ticket Clerk
    Background image 46
    John Alexander
    Mighty Joe Young
    Background image 47
    Verne Troyer
    Baby Joe
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    John Munro Cameron
    Joe's Mother Gorilla
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    David St. Pierre
    Joe's Father Gorilla
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    Debbie Lee Carrington
    Other Gorilla
    Background image 51
    Denise Cheshire
    Other Gorilla
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    Darren T. Knaus
    Baby Joe (voice)

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    Reviews

    (2)
    Wuchak
    60%
    ***Disney flick about “Kong Jr.” with Charlize Theron and Bill Paxton*** A young woman (Charlize Theron) who has raised a giant gorilla named Joe from infancy brings him to an animal sanctuary in Southern California with the aid of a zoologist (Bill Paxton). Meanwhile, a poacher from the past seeks vengeance on the creature (Rade Serbedzija), which breaks free to cause havoc. “Mighty Joe Young” (1998) was loosely based on the 1949 movie of the same name. I can watch it and enjoy it for what it is, a more kid-friendly version of King Kong with essentially Kong Jr. But, despite a good cast, great F/X and lots of action & adventure, the movie's somehow shallow with cardboard thin characters. When little Johnny gets stuck on the Ferris wheel, compelling Joe to rescue him, I just rolled my eyes. Yet the movie's still well done for what it is: a movie for kids (and the kid IN adults) about a lovable but menacing-when-necessary giant gorilla. The movie runs 1 hour, 54 minutes and was shot in Kaua'i, Hawaii (the Africa scenes) and Los Angeles, Hollywood & Long Beach, California. GRADE: C+/B-
    r96sk
    70%
    It's basically <em>'King Kong'</em>, let's be honest. In fairness, though, <em>'Mighty Joe Young'</em> does do its own thing and it's a film I did feel entertained by. Bill Paxton (Gregg) and Charlize Theron (Jill) are two of the big reasons, they are both enjoyable in this. The effects/animatronics for the gorilla are also impressive, even when Joe is shown via people in costume (incl. Verne Troyer!) he looks decent. They did a fine job in that regard. The premise isn't anything revolutionary, but there is certainly a fair amount of heart in there. I would've liked it more without the typical happy ending, admittedly. The music and cinematography is solid. The villains, meanwhile, are probably this production's weakest area, I never really became interested in them or their story. Good film, all in all.