August 31, 1999 -- "Mighty Joe Young" is a remake of the 1949 film starring Ben Johnson and Robert Armstrong. Armstrong also starred in the 1933 classic film "King Kong," which set the standard for giant monster movies.

While this film is no "King Kong," it is cute, with convincing giant gorilla special effects and good performances by the lead actors. This particular version is made by Disney studios, so there are lots of cute animals, including a very cute baby mountain gorilla named Joe.

Joe, of course, grows up, and up, and up to become Mighty Joe Young. Separated at birth from his mother who was killed by an evil poacher, Strasser (Rade Serbedzija of "The Saint"), the giant gorilla is cared for by Jill Young (Charlize Theron) the daughter of a scientist who was also killed by Strasser. Jill manages to keep Joe's existence in a remote African jungle a secret until he is discovered by Gregg O'Hara, a wildlife biologist (Bill Paxton of "Twister").

O'Hara persuades Jill and Joe to come to America where they will be safe in a special wildlife preserve. Everything seems to work out O.K. until Strasser finds out about Joe's existence. Strasser, who was wounded by Joe years ago, wants revenge. That sets up the conflict around which the last part of the film revolves.

Good special effects and good acting by Paxton, Theron and Serbedzija (who is a great villain) put this film over the top. It is a standard kind of Disney film, with animals in danger, but there aren't many kids in the film, instead, there's a love story between O'Hara and Jill. It isn't high art, but it is fun. It rates a B.