The lush green valleys and abundant tropical overgrowth of Hawai‘i contribute to the perfect African jungle setting for the 1998 film “Mighty Joe Young.” Filmed in Kualoa Valley (O‘ahu) and Hanalei, this story of strength and courage takes us on
The lush green valleys and abundant tropical overgrowth of Hawai‘i contribute to the perfect African jungle setting for the 1998 film “Mighty Joe Young.”
Filmed in Kualoa Valley (O‘ahu) and Hanalei, this story of strength and courage takes us on the adventure of a young girl and an infantile gorilla and their immeasurable bond of love and sacrifice.
Young Jill and the baby gorilla named Joe both lose their mothers at the hand of poachers. Joe even goes so far as to severely wound one of his soon-to-be captors. Before succumbing to a gunshot wound during a foot chase with the hunters, Jill’s mother makes her promise to always keep Joe safe. Jill and Joe escape.
Twelve years after that harrowing experience, Jill, played by Academy Award winner Charlize Theron, and Joe live a peaceful life. There is always, however, the threat of hunters.
Due to a genetic abnormality, Joe has grown to be a 15-foot, 2,000 pound beast; his status has become legendary to predators, who try to prove his existence. However, wildlife director Gregg O’Hara, played by Bill Paxton, is intrigued by this African myth and sets his course for the jungle to study this mighty creature.
Gregg’s intentions are soon revealed when he talks Jill into taking Joe to California. He promises a safe environment for Joe, but Jill is unconvinced. While at their new home, Jill and Joe find life difficult and only seek comfort with one another.
In a very short time, Joe’s fame reaches the masses and he becomes a spectacle.
The poachers responsible for the death of the mothers of Jill and Joe see a news report about Los Angeles’ latest find. They come to the City of Angels posing as rich benefactors to attend a black-tie event in honor of Joe.
While at the affair, these posers break away from the festivities to see Joe in his habitation; they rattle and taunt him. Joe recognizes these men as the hunters who killed his mother. He goes berserk and chaos ensues. Joe is subdued with a tranquilizer dart then caged. He and Jill await his fate.
Talk of euthanizing makes Jill turn to desperate means. She makes an agreement with the “benefactors”: Joe will be released to their care as they have promised her a large reserve for Joe’s freedom. Little does she know of their evil intentions of killing Joe and selling his body parts on the black market.
Jill soon realizes that these men killed her mother. While Jill and Joe escape their captors, they are separated due to the bedlam of traffic, helicopters and utter mayhem that has now taken over the busy streets. While searching for Jill’s “light” (a flashlight she uses to let Joe know her whereabouts), Joe reaches a small amusement park where the colossal being is overwhelming. As the patrons run every which way, havoc takes over, destroying the rides and food stands.
Joe hears a small boy atop a stuck Ferris wheel. As it slowly burns and becomes unhinged, Joe climbs the ride to save the boy. He becomes an instant hero. Jill and Gregg return Joe to his home in Africa where a reserve has become his new home. He can no longer be hunted or threatened. Joe is home.
