This 1998 version of Mighty Joe Young begins with a Gorillas in the Mist-type prologue and then jumps forward twelve years to find Bill Paxton leading a safari expedition to capture the legendary giant (two-ton) gorilla, the subject of the films title. Paxtons intentions are admirable; he wants to remove the majestic beast from the imminent danger of poachers and set him up on a posh nature reserve in California. The x-factor comes in the form of Charlize Therons beautiful jungle girl, Jill Young. Jill has been Joes soul mate from birth and is the only human who can communicate with him. She is also the reason Paxtons maverick-on-the-run lingers at the reserve after his task is completed. From there, the plot is spurred on by the nefarious actions of a poacher with an Ahab complex and a battery of money hungry scientists who want to exploit Joe. Naturally, all of this puts a burr under the towering simians skin, causing him to break free and go ape in L.A.s concrete jungle. ~ Tom Meek, All Movie Guide