Congo (1995)

A brilliant film that helped define a genre

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

It really made me laugh, but for some moments I was tearing up because I could relate so much.

The movie turns out to be a little better than the average. Starting from a romantic formula often seen in the cinema, it ends in the most predictable (and somewhat bland) way.

Not only is this one of Michael Crichton's worst books it's one of the worst movies based on one of his books. Silly 40's style cliffhanger foolishness about a search for diamonds leads to a discovery of mutant apes. Along for the ride is the scientific teams gorilla, based on Koko the signing Gorilla. The end is totally ridiculous and Laura Linney looks embarrassed to be in this. Worst part is Bruce Campbell getting killed at the beginning.

I'm slightly dismayed at the low regard for this film since it is one of the better realizations of a Michael Crichton novel. Coming as it was just 2 years after the block-buster movie "Jurassic Park" (based on another Crichton novel) perhaps many in the target audience expected more and felt short-changed by this film. And for sheer spectacle, "Congo" obviously isn't going to top the earlier film. In my view though, for sheer viewing pleasure this film is nearly as good in many ways. The action is almost non-stop: From the start, "Congo" proceeds apace with almost no wasted lines, scenes or characters and something important is happening in almost every scene.Unusual among this type of action film are the many likable characters. Heading up the excellent cast is Laura Linney as Karen, the very serious but quite competent leader of the expedition. She has been dispatched to the Congo to discover what has happened to an earlier expedition sent by her employer JB Travis, (Joe Don Baker) whose son has been mysteriously lost (on a search for industrial diamonds for communications satellites). Also good are Dylan Walsh as a primatologist seeking to return his lab gorilla (Amy) to the wild; Ernie Hudson as Captain Kelly, the very likable American/British/? fixer and guide; and Tim Curry as Hormulka, a greedy Romanian "philanthropist" who is secretly funding the expedition in a search for diamonds "in the mysterious city of Xingh" (after mentioning this, Kelly asks Hormulka "Have you been taking your medication?")Although all of this sounds like the makings of a cartoon,"Congo" is anything but cartoonish: There are enough exciting plot elements, likable characters, low-level intrigue, fascinating technology, and elements of real danger that you could easily fill two similar movies. I am as discerning as any other IMDB commenter, and so I usually find myself agreeing with 5 star ratings on clinker movies. However, this is one time I strongly feel a movie should be rated a lot higher then it is. For great plot development, gorgeous scenery, interesting animals (even the ones with people in monkey suits) cool tech, decent gun-play and interesting, likable and well-played characters, I feel this movie deserves a solid 9.

Congo is a silly safari adventure. Almost King Solomon Mines meets Jurassic Park (with wild apes and gorillas instead of dinosaurs.) Based on a Michael Crichton novel, this was made when Crichton was hot property back in the 1990s.Director Frank Marshall better known as a producer for Steven Spielberg movies was not a strong enough director to make a serious adventure film opting accidentally for camp and cheese.When an expedition to discover rare diamonds in the Congo go missing. A scientist is sent in to find out what happened especially as one of the missing men was her fiancé. She joins a crew that consists of a primatologist who is taking a trained talking gorilla back to the wild and a Romanian treasure hunter trying to locate the lost city of Zinj.When they arrive they meet their expert guide but are captured by a local militia leader and have to bribe themselves out of trouble.The guide tells the group that other expeditions to find the 'Lost City of Zinj' have ended in disaster.Laura Linney and Dylan Baker are bland in the lead roles, out-acted by the talking gorilla. It is left to Tim Curry to ham it up as the Romanian Herkermer Homolka and Ernie Hudson in the great white African adventurer role, Captain Munro Kelly who happens to be black with an English accent. He steals the show.

I think this was a pretty good movie, aside from the monkey being obviously fake and burping after drinking a martini? there were some great moments. For instance using the flares for the heat seeking ground launched missiles. That was pretty cool.The chick isn't bad looking either. The movie is always moving, with something to keep your attention.I think it is a pretty good movie.I like the black guy, don't know his name but he's like the alpha, but he's polite.