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Mighty Joe Young (1998)

(1998, Rated PG, Drama, Starring Bill Paxton, Charlize Theron, Regina King)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 5, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 7.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    Thrilling family fun.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The movie addresses the subjects of endangered animals and poaching.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence & scariness:

    A poacher kills Joe's mom (a gorilla) and Jill's mom (a primate specialist) in the traumatic opening scene. Joe crushes a bystander's leg and kills his attacker by throwing him against some power lines. In the climactic sequence, a child is barely rescued from a burning Ferris wheel.
  • Sexy stuff:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Mighty Joe Young (1998)

Parents need to know that a poacher kills Joe's mom (a gorilla) and Jill's mom (a primate specialist) in the traumatic opening scene. Joe crushes a bystander's leg and kills his attacker by throwing him against some power lines. In the climactic sequence, a child is barely rescued from a burning Ferris wheel. The movie addresses the subjects of endangered animals and poaching.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about whether this film, which is a remake of a 1949 monster movie, is also a monster flick. Is Joe a monster? Or is he simply ill-treated and misunderstood? Are there other so-called movie monsters that might fall into that category? What about Frankenstein? What message, if any, do you think the movie makers were trying to get across? Do monster movies often have messages?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    to vilont.... but good

    the movie is good. it has good messages but way to much vilonce shown on screen such as: people and animals being shot and killed, and people being trampled by a huge gorilla. i say on for nine but off for anyone under the age of nine.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 9 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    For every won over 9 or 8.

    I think 9 is a good age because the gorilla might seem scary to people. There is a good message which in for a gorilla saves a child.

  3. I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

    Inventive and Thrilling Family Film Garunteed to Please!

    MIGHTY JOE YOUNG tells the story of the title character, an abnormally large gorilla who is studied by Dr. Ruth Young and her young daughter Jill in the African wilderness. But one night, poachers invade and kill Ruth, who they can't make out in the darkness. But instead of helping her, they run, but not after Joe (the gorilla) bites off the leader's pointer finger (off-screen). Jill grows up protecting Joe. She moves him to the city, for safety reasons, with conservatist Gregg O'Hara. Jill becomes infatuated with Gregg as the poachers who killed Ruth draw near. Violence is the biggest issue in this family film. Poachers kill illegally, and tenseness is everywhere. Language is mild, with one or two "d**ns" and one "burn in hell". There is no sex. This is fun film garunteed to enjoy. Everyone will love it, but it might be too tense and scary for youngsters. Highly recommended.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    this movie has many different emotions

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