Film Review
RKO's third and final ape-themed movie showcasing the talents of
effects master Willis O'Brien is little more than a revamped version of
the studio's earlier
King Kong (1933), although it
is so liberally coated with saccharine and whimsy that you would hardly notice
it. In contrast to the monstrosities seen in
King Kong and
Son of Kong, the ape
protagonist this time is little more than an overgrown gorilla but, as
the film demonstrates, size isn't everything. Charisma is
what counts, and Joe Young has that in abandance (which is more than
can be said for his human co-stars).
Although much pacier than the preceding
Kong movies,
Mighty Joe Young is lumbered with a
plot that piles contrivance on top of contrivance and ultimately
becomes so silly and mawkish that you can almost hear the original Kong
spinning in his grave. RKO executive Merian Cooper had planned to
make a sequel in which Mighty Joe would team up with Tarzan, but this
was abandoned when the film bombed at the box office.
This is the film that won Willis O'Brien his one and only Oscar, for his
remarkable effects work. Here, O'Brien was assisted by Ray
Harryhausen, who greatly admired his techniques and would use them with
great success in his own films. 1998 saw the release of a so-so
remake of
Mighty Joe Young,
directed by Ron Underwood.
© James Travers 2009
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.
Film Synopsis
Impresario Max O'Hara sets out for Africa in search of new attractions
for his New York night club. He can hardly believe his good
fortune when he comes across a large gorilla, Joe Young, which obeys
every command given to it by its owner, Jill. Promising
fame and wealth, O'Hara persuades Jill to come with her pet gorilla to
New York, where they will be the star attraction at his night
club. All too soon, Jill realises she has made a
mistake. She knows that Joe is miserable with his new life and
longs for his home in Africa. One evening, Joe escapes from his
cage and creates pandemonium in the nightclub. When the
authorities decide to shoot Joe, Jill makes a desperate attempt to save
her beloved gorilla...
© James Travers
The above content is owned by filmsdefrance.com and must not be copied.