Move over King Kong

Everyone will have watched the original King Kong movie of the 1930's starring fay Wray, in which a Giant gorilla is captured on a remote and secretive Island, and brought back to New York as a showpiece, this is a love affair between an Ape and a beautiful woman, in which Kong's love for the woman is his downfall.

Well Mighty Joe Young, once filmed back in 1956 has been rekindled in the up-dated version, and full colour, to its pre-decessor.

The story is set in the mountains of central Africa, where a zoologist and her daughter are observing the gorillas, Jill Young the young daughter, instantly bonds with a baby gorilla (Joe).

One night a ruthless band of poachers are heard in the jungle, trying to catch and kill the gorillas for various reasons, Jill and her mother try to go out to the area of the gorillas to protect them, only for Jill's and Joe's mother to be killed, while Jill and Joe escape.

The film then jumps 12 years later, and Jill has grown into a beautiful woman in the shape of Charlize Theron, and Joe has grown at an alarming rate weighing in at over 2000lbs and standing 18ft high.

An American Zoologist comes to the jungle to reasearch a myth about a giant Gorilla (Bill Paxton), he meets Joe who is not happy about the strangers in his land, Paxton ends up being rescued by Theron from Joe who has him pinned.

The film has some funny moments like, have you ever seen a Giant Gorilla playing fetch like a dog or even hide and seek, well you will here.

Bill Paxton is not the only one interested in Joe, soon the same band of poachers who killed Joe's mother, try to capture him. Paxton persuades Jill to bring him to California were they will be able to protect Joe on a Wildlife preserve.

Its not long though, that the poachers catch up with them in California and try again to capture Joe....

This film has a lovely story to it and is well cast, you are guaranteed to fall in love with Joe, you'll be laughing one minute and crying the next, as it is designed to pull at your heart strings no matter how tough you think you are, you will find the softer side of yourself with this film.

The special affects are brilliant, and makes you believe for a moment that your actually watching a giant ape.

It has all the ups and downs rolled into one fast paced film, leaving you wandering what will happen next.

I would recommend this film to all, it has a PG rating due to some scenes, but should be enjoyed by most of the family.

Technical Details

Actors, Charlize Theron, Bill Paxton, Peter Firth, Rade Serbedziija, David Paymer, Regina King, Naveen Andrews, Geoffrey Blake, Laurence Pressman.

Director, Ron Underwood

Certifacte, PG.

Year, 1998.

Screen, Widesreen,1.85:1

Language, English, Dolby Digital 5.1

Subtitles, English.

Duration, 1 hour 52 mins (aprox).