CONGO. Directed by Frank Marshall; written by John Patrick Shanley; produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Sam Mercer for Paramount. Starring Dylan Walsh, Laura Linney, Ernie Hudson and Tim Curry. Rated PG-13
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There may be a few kinds of movie that Congo doesn't resemble at one time or another, but I'd be hard-pressed to say what they are. Indiana Jones-like action, a Born Free-type animal story, a high-tech assault on the jungle, witty repartee as well as lower-class laughs, and even a hint (but just a hint) of romance ... did I leave anything out?
Making a (reasonably) coherent movie out of such a goulash of ingredients couldn't have been easy. Making one as generally entertaining as Congo is must rank as a minor miracle.
How did they do it? Start with strong performances by appealing actors in roles that bring some novel touches to the usual formulas. Give the players a clever script that not only keeps the story's varied strands sorted out, but also throws in some engaging little bits of comic business along the way. Add some great scenery, interesting visual effects and a nifty score, and there you have it!
The high-tech angle is supplied by engineer Karen Ross (Linney) and her company, who are after some pure diamonds they think can be found deep in the jungle. Ross, it turns out, can wield a weapon with authority when the chips are down. It's great (and unusual) to see such a strong female character in a movie like this.
The animal interest comes from primatologist Peter Elliot (Walsh) who wants to return his ward, Amy, a mountain gorilla, to her native home. Amy, incidentally, can "talk" with the help of virtual reality technology that translates her sign language gestures into speech. Peter and Amy are the sensitive innocents, filling roles usually left to the token woman and/or child in action movies.
Indiana Jones, who goes by the name Monroe Kelly in Congo, is played by Ernie Hudson and his character is the delightful standout in an entertaining cast. He's the "great white hunter" of the expedition and he has the accent and all the moves down pat. Except, of course, he's black. Kelly's entertainment value goes far beyond this visual pun, however. He's cool, competent and clever and a complete joy to watch.
Curry adds another eccentric portrayal to his credits here as the Romanian fortune-hunter Herkermer Homolka, convinced that Amy can help him find King Solomon's lost diamond mines in the jungle.
As their various quests unfold, this odd assortment of characters is beset both by well-armed para-military forces and mysteriously vicious gorillas as well as by the usual jungle dangers of inclement weather, rough terrain, spooky natives and creepy crawlies.
Yes, it's all terribly silly and makes less sense in retrospect than it does while you're watching it. But for carefree summer entertainment that's a little out of the ordinary, Congo hits the spot.
June 21, 1995