On C List of Movie Reviews
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Congo (1995)
Rate:
7
Viewed:
4/25
4/25:
Why the low ratings for Congo?
It's probably because the viewers didn't appreciate characters killing gorillas and hippos. Ironically,
Delroy Lindo's character said, "Everybody in my country is so afraid of being seen in an American movie
being cruel to a gorilla." No matter what, I've found it to be an intelligent sci-fi action-adventure picture
that's among the best from Michael Crichton, causing me to think of
Gorillas in the Mist many times.
I would've given Congo an '8', but the confrontation with the evil gorillas is underwhelming
on top of the occasional cheap film quality. The last thirty minutes when the lava began to pour through
the lost city of Zinj is rather impressive. People tend to think of hippos as friendly, but they're actually
the most dangerous mammal in the world.
The most fascinating aspect of the show is sign language with gorillas. I know it can't be done which was
explored further in my review of Koko: A Talking Gorilla. Amy as
the fake gorilla can be a downer at times, but it's the only way for the premise to work. All of the signs
produced by her and Dylan Walsh are 100% accurate.
What a great cast, but Grant Heslov plays a useless character. I have to give Ernie Hudson a lot of credit
for making Congo better; otherwise, it would've been too ordinary. It's keen to see him and Adewale
Akinnuoye-Agbaje together early because of their connection.
When Laura Linney's character blasted away at the evil gorillas, I began to think about the ethical dilemma
as in "aren't her team trespassing?"
All in all, I prefer Congo over Jurassic Park.