I watched the original MIGHTY JOE YOUNG recently and really enjoyed as a lesser variant of KING KONG. This full-colour, all-action, CGI-animated remake takes that premise and turns it into a soppy, unashamedly sentimental family film that lacks all of the characterisation, drama and danger of the oldie. And it proves, once and for all, that stop motion creations are much better at expressing character than their CGI counterparts.In some ways the movie is oddly old-fashioned, particularly in the early scenes of Naveen Andrews running around calling the white man 'boss' which I found oddly uncomfortable (inevitably, the bad guys in this are all foreign and the good guys all American). Then there's plenty of politically correct greenie stuff and an excruciating turn from Charlize Theron as a Jungle Jane type who strides from the bushes with a full face of make-up. Only in Hollywood! Once the action shifts to America I hoped it would start picking up, but it never does. The CGI effects are admittedly good but lack the charm of their olden-day versions and the large-scale mayhem is no different from two dozen similar, cookie-cutter Hollywood action flicks. I couldn't help but feel embarrassed for Bill Paxton appearing in such twee and childish fare, but then he did appear in the same year's A SIMPLE PLAN so it wasn't all bad for him.

If you're a male, or maybe a female, this movie has Charlize Theron never looking more beautiful. Frankly, 'nuf said.But wait, there's more. There's the wonderfully created creature, Might Joe Young, who will take you on a fantastic tour of iconic Los Angeles locations, from the Hollywood Sign to the Santa Monica Pier.There's the wonderful link between past and present, because this film was made partly under the auspices of RKO, the company that made the original Mighty Joe Young. And there's the predictable arc of Mighty Joe Young's sympathetic actions throughout the course of the film. If I have one criticism, it's that events near the end of the film are a little too violent for the younger set.Did I mention Charlize Theron?

I remember seeing this family film at least three times when I was younger, I obviously wouldn't realise back then and I only found out in adulthood that it is a remake of the 1949 film, from director Ron Underwood (Tremors, City Slickers, Pluto Nash). Basically in the African jungle, young Jill Young (Mika Boorem) witnesses her mother Ruth Young (Linda Purl) die, and the same night baby silver back gorilla Joe witnesses his mother killed by poachers, one of whom has his thumb and forefinger bitten off. Twelve years later, eco-minded Professor Gregory 'Gregg' O'Hara (Bill Paxton) is in the same jungle, and stumbles upon the grown up Jill Young (Charlize Theron) and genetically abnormally large Joe the gorilla living relatively peacefully. Gregg is suggesting Joe would be safer from poaching if Jill agrees to come with him with her large friend back to Hollywood, California and live in a refuge with plenty of food and space. Eventually she does agree, and they do go to the United States, and to everyone's amazement Joe does like this safe haven, and the occasional visitors, including fellow eco scientists see his good progress. But then the leader of the poachers Andrei Strasser (Rade Serbedzija) with the missing thumb and finger turns up at the sanctuary and caused the gorilla to get angry and violent, and everyone is mistaken into thinking he cannot cope with his life in L.A. With this in mind preparation are made to have Joe go back to the jungle, but he somehow escapes and ends up following a light he mistakes as a signal from Jill, and when she and Gregg catch up to him they find him, and Strasser, in a carnival. Disaster strikes when the ferris wheel breaks down, and after the villain is killed Joe is the only one who can a little boy trapped near a fire surrounding it. In the end it looks like the child is safe but Joe is dead from the fall, but thankfully he is fine and is taken back to Africa to roam free in a large bit of land with donations coming in for Jill and Gregg. Also starring Peter Firth as Garth, Quiz Show's David Paymer as Harry Ruben, Jerry Maguire's Regina King as Cecily Banks, Robert Wisdom as Kweli, Lost's Naveen Andrews as Pindi and Verne Troyer as Baby Joe. Theron is obviously gorgeous, and Paxton as usual is reliable, the gorilla does steal the show, being both cuddly and sweet, and aggressive and angry, with moments reminiscent of King Kong it is an easy to follow story that will have the kids and the adults near enough hooked, a fun fantasy adventure. It was nominated the Oscar for Best Visual Effects. Worth watching!

I wasn't sure whether I would like Mighty Joe Young. I did see it once with my family beforehand and didn't think much of it. When I did decide to give it a chance again, I am glad I did. I wasn't expecting a perfect family movie, and while this movie is very dark, it also manages to be quite sweet too. I will admit that the beginning is very dark and intense even for a family movie. I will also admit that the plot is very formulaic and that the villains are rather cartoony.What made this movie though for me was Joe. He was designed superbly and acted very convincingly. Even for an ape, I found him quite adorable, after seeing films like Congo where they scared me so much. Other pluses are the superb special effects and the splendid scenery. Not to mention the lovely music score. The acting was a mixed bag; Charlize Theron was gorgeous as Jill, and Bill Paxton was very good as Gregg. The supporting actors ranged from good to so-so. The relationship between Joe and Jill was very very convincing and sweet, well to me it was. And I know the ending was more King Kong with a happy ending, but I will confess I cried. Maybe it was because I loved Joe so much, I have a habit of empathising with characters that I grow to love.Overall, it is a decent family movie. It mayn't appeal to you first time, but if given the chance as it did with me, it may grow on you. 7/10 Bethany Cox