Mighty Joe Young (1998) - Movie Synopsis & Plot

On a farm in the heart of Africa, a gentle young girl named Jill Young lives happily with her orphaned playmate Joe, a Tanzanian gorilla. As the years cultivate the extraordinary bond between these two unlikely friends, Jill marvels not at Joe's gargantuan 15-foot-tall physique, rather it is Joe's benevolent temperament and capacity to love that astounds her the most. It is only when Joe is brought to civilization that he learns to regard the human race with antipathy. Walt Disney Pictures proudly presents the remake of the beloved 1949 adventure film, "Mighty Joe Young."

In this update of the classic "Mighty Joe Young," zoologist Gregg O'Hara (BILL PAXTON) is exploring the remote Pangani Mountains in Central Africa when he comes upon an incredible discovery - an astonishing 15-foot gorilla. Fearsome and dangerous when provoked, he is tame in the hands of Jill (CHARLIZE THERON), the 21-year-old orphan who raised the gorilla and named him Joe. When poachers threaten Joe's life, Gregg and Jill rescue Joe by moving him to a California animal preserve.

However, Joe is not safe for long. His newfound notoriety makes him a target for an enemy from his past - a ruthless poacher who is eager to steal Joe away for his unique value in the endangered species black market. Feeling threatened and confused in his man-made confines, Joe finally escapes from captivity. With only Los Angeles and its terrified residents in his way, this powerful force of nature attempts to traverse a modern metropolis, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in his wake. Jill and Gregg race to save Joe's life before he is destroyed by the encircling authorities, and the chase culminates in an incredible and selfless display of courage by the mighty Joe, proving that within his fearsome frame beats a noble and heroic heart.

blog comments powered by Disqus