REVIEW: Congo (Released in 1995) [25th Anniversary]

DIRECTOR: Frank Marshall

PRODUCERS: Kathleen Kennedy & Sam Mercer

WRITERS: John Patrick Shanley (screenplay) & Michael Crichton (based on the novel)

PERFORMERS: Dylan Walsh Laura Linney Ernie Hudson Grant Heslov Joe Don Baker

with Bruce Campbell and Tim Curry

I remember when there was a time when Michael Crichton novels were the hottest thing on the bookshelves. For me it started with 'Jurassic Park' which later became one of the highest grossing films of all time, then continued with this one. With this one I got the same thrilling experience I got from 'Jurassic': from being scared out of my wits to extremely satisfied by the time all was said and done. This was both a scientific and technologically advanced type of film and that's what Michael Crichton was known for: combining the elements of nature and science. Congo is a film that takes you onto a journey into the world's most dangerous place ever known and makes you want to travel to exotic places just like it.

Like 'Jurassic Park' Congo revolves around science and technology and putting them in the very annals of nature, but it is about exploration, mystery and with a little bit of 'Indiana Jones' formula, lost legends foretold. The story is a simple one as you have a primatologist, a communications expert, a forest guide and a desperate treasure hunter along with a orphan gorilla on a expedition in the heart of the Congo rain forest in search of an ancient city, one that poses a deadly threat to those who enter it. As the film goes on, each person's agenda is slowly revealed. Walsh's character intends to return his gorilla to the wild. The gorilla was used as an experiment for a sign language project that allows the animal to actually speak through the device. If you ask me, that's definitely something new but within the tradition of the nature and science formula. Then there's Laura Linney who really commands the majority of this movie as she searches for her lover, only to discover that her superior's intentions are far from the well being of someone else's. The last two are Ernie Hudson who plays the guide who's just in it for money and Tim Curry as the out of his luck gold digger. These people play their parts very well and with such precision, that when in separate scenes it all works. But if there's one of them that rules the film performance wise it's Linney. Her acting is so superb that you completely buy into her character and her oddessy from start to finish. I actually discovered her through this film and ever since then have always admired her acting range in other things I've seen her in.

Over the years I saw and heard that this film got so much backlash and negativity that I just didn't get it. It isn't perfect but it doesn't need to be to please everybody. On the other hand when it comes to novel adaptations you can bet there's going to be a lot changes in the film version. That still doesn't mean you can't enjoy it. Having read the novel from long ago I understand some folks weren't happy with it but you have to admit one of the good things about this film were the grey gorillas at the film's climax. When the group are inside the city's diamond mines, they encounter an army of deadly and fierce looking apes with grey fur and hideous looks. From there it's practically 'Aliens' meets 'Indiana Jones' because the humans are fighting for their lives to escape and the clock is ticking with the volcano about to explode. That to me is good storytelling because of it's main characters being in this situation of predicament,, having very little time and not that many options at their disposal and then BAM! One of them comes through for the others resulting in their resolution, there's no better feeling than that. As I mention above this film did scare me in the sense of 'Jurassic Park' and here's how: the Hippopotamus attack. When I saw this for the first time, I covered my eyes till it was over. I mostly recall listening to sounds of the scene and when I got older, as my liking for this film blossomed so did that scene.

Director Frank Marshall really takes up an entire scale of exotic locations, a solid story and an ensemble cast of actors here. To this day, I still wonder why he never did anything else after this because he really deserved better. He directed 'Arachnophobia' and that one was just as good too, not to mention very frightening and strange. He's a awfully talented producer, but he's a good director too. I would have liked to see him go on to direct other projects after this because it was just that worthy of a film. There's not that many producers like him or Kathleen Kennedy anymore and we could certainly use their kind of expertise these days. I wouldn't even be surprised if Kennedy directs a film herself one day and hopefully her career in that particular field isn't as short lived as Marshall's was. The design of the gorillas by the late Stan Winston were also awesome. You thought they were real because they looked real, I'm still wondering if gorillas like that actually exist and if they are, how deadly and aggressive they are. Usually apes are smart, intelligent and very keen on instinct and they fight to protect those who they see or feel is threatening their existence. And if you remember the scene in which Walsh's character comes face to face with a silver-back gorilla, you'll see just how fierce they are and why you shouldn't look them directly in the eye upon encountering them.

In Conclusion, Congo was very entertaining and very interesting to look at. For some of those who are wondering why I found it so likable, well because of it's originality, structure, setting and plot-holes involved. You had several stories happening at once and with every evolution of them, came something you just don't forget. This was well adapted, well told, well structured and well performed and had it not been for the success of 'Jurassic Park' this would not have happened. Sure it may have had it's flaws but one would be willing to overlook them and just enjoy the show for what it is, not what's expected. Yes we deserve to be given what we want when it comes to these things, but sometimes the end result is better than no result at all. With every viewing of this film over the last 25 years, it's always taken me straight back to that very first time I saw it as a child. So the fact that I saw this at a young age, naive and prone to entertainment, makes it all the more worth while and without question, just something I can enjoy every time. Happy 25th Anniversary to Congo!!!

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