“Mighty Joe Young” – A giant gorilla and his human friend search for freedom and safety in an unkind work in director Ron Underwood’s film. Joe comes to life thanks to Rick Baker’s special effects and wonderful performances by Charlize Theron and Bill Paxton. This uplifting tale showing the good side of humanity has a nice balance between action and characters, happiness and sadness, and emotionally riveting scenes. Admit it, when that kid said “I have some money for you, Joe,” you wished you had brought some Kleenex.
– John Hansen, NDSU Spectrum, January 1999