Congo (film)

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Congo

DVD cover for Congo
Directed by Frank Marshall
Produced by Frank Marshall,
Frank Yablans,
Kathleen Kennedy,
Sam Mercer
Written by Michael Crichton(novel)
John Patrick Shanley
Starring Laura Linney,
Dylan Walsh,
Ernie Hudson,
Tim Curry,
Bruce Campbell
Music by Jerry Goldsmith
Cinematography Allen Daviau
Editing by Anne V. Coates
Distributed by Paramount Pictures
Release date(s) 1995
Running time 109 min
Country Flag of United States USA
Language English
American Sign language
IMDb profile

Congo is a 1995 movie, based on Michael Crichton's novel Congo. It was directed by Frank Marshall and stars Dylan Walsh, Laura Linney, Tim Curry, Ernie Hudson, Grant Heslov and Joe Don Baker. The screenplay for the movie was written by John Patrick Shanley. The music was composed by Jerry Goldsmith.

Contents

[edit] Differences from the Book

There are significant differences between the book and movie:

  • The gray apes are smaller than regular Gorillas and appear the same in the book. In the movie they are very large and monstrous in appearance.
  • Amy does not have an electronic device that talks for her in the book.
  • There is a humorous element to the movie that is not present in the book.
  • The gorillas in the book kill using paddles, which is not present in the movie.
  • Most of the back-story of how the Grays were created was not mentioned in the movie.
  • In the book, the Grays exist as normal primates, other than their built-in reaction of attacking people who they perceive as threatening the mine. In the movie, this is not mentioned.
  • The book has an epilogue describing Amy's behavior after returning to the wild, teaching her own young sign language, which is not mentioned in the movie.
  • The character Munro is stated to be white in the book, while he is played by Ernie Hudson, a black man in the film who claims to be the "great white hunter" that happens to be black.
  • The character Khahega lives in the book, while in the movie he is killed by the grey gorillas.
  • Tim Curry's character is not in the book.
  • In the novel, Dr. Ross is a mathematical genius and is 24 years of age; her mathematical aptitude is not mentioned in the film and she appears a few years older.
  • In the novel, the company that Dr. Ross works for is called ERTS, while in the film, the company is called TraviCom.

[edit] Innovations and Explanations

While many have complained about the electronic sign language interpreter, it was an innovative way to show what Amy was saying, since few understand ASL, and fewer still could have followed it on the screen. The other options would be subtitles, or having Peter repeat everything signed. Since he understands sign language, it makes no sense for him to say out loud everything Amy signs. While the device is only present on one hand, and typical ASL uses both hands, it is possible that a special version of sign language was created to communicate with the motions of just one hand.

[edit] Box Office & Critical Reaction

Congo opened with a weekend total of $24,642,539, eventually going onto gross $152,022,101 worldwide ($81,022,101 domestic) making a profit back on its $50,000,000 budget. However the critical reaction was less successful. Roger Ebert said that Congo is a splendid example of a genre no longer much in fashion, the jungle adventure story, and was a fairly lonely voice in the critic world. He gave it 3 out of 4 stars. Most critics called it a theme park that can't decide whether it's a spoof or a thriller.

A big part of the disappointment among fans was that the gorillas were costumes and puppets after Jurassic Park brought us CG dinosaurs. In fact, CG was orignally planned for the grays, but the technology had not been developed to the point where realistic hair could be created. While smooth skinned dinosaurs were possible, the hairy apes would have looked cartoonish. Therefore, animatrionics, masks and pupetry had to be used.

[edit] Awards

[edit] Won (2)

BMI Film & TV Awards:

Sci-Fi Universe Magazine, USA:

  • Best Supporting Actor in a Genre Motion Picture (Ernie Hudson)

[edit] Nominated (11)

Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films, USA

Kids' Choice Awards

  • Favorite Animal Star - "Amy, the gorilla"

Razzie Awards

  • Worst Director (Frank Marshall)
  • Worst New Star "Amy the Talking Gorilla"
  • Worst Original Song (Jerry Goldsmith) (Lebo M) For the song "(Feel The) Spirit of Africa"
  • Worst Picture (Kathleen Kennedy) (Sam Mercer)
  • Worst Screenplay (John Patrick Shanley)
  • Worst Supporting Actor (Tim Curry)
  • Worst Supporting Actress "Amy the Talking Gorilla"

[edit] Quotes

  • "Mr. Hamolka, stop eating my sesame cake. Stop eating my sesame cake!"


[edit] External link

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