This amazing transfer is the best of the recent releases with barely a scratch or speck of grain to complain about. Contrast keeps the black levels accurate and strong. Clarity is downright ridiculous given the age of the print. The only problems come from the finale, tinted orange like it always has been. The compression here is understandably rough given the color, but it truly hurts the footage. It's a jarring change from the clarity showcased earlier. (****)
Audio is presented in 2.0 mono, a solid track that lets all the details through. There are only a few brief moments where the audio is scratchy or sounds dated. It's a solid presentation. (***)
While the Son of Kong disc was left barren, Mighty Joe Young contains quite a bit to watch and listen to. The lead feature is a commentary with Ray Harryhausen, Ken Ralston, and Terry Moore. It's rough going for Moore whose acting and stage stories are pushed aside while the two special effects masters discuss the on-screen happenings. Ralston has fun picking up on the flaws (strings, wires) and Harryhausen is surprised every time and can only respond with, "You're not supposed to see that!"
A Conversation with Ray Harryhausen and the Chiodo Brothers is a 15-minute piece that talks about his career, with an obvious focus on Joe Young. It's a basic roundtable discussion focused squarely on Harryhausen and his experiences, plus talk about Willis O'Brien.
Ray Harryhausen and Mighty Joe Young is a piece close to the above, just with one of the actual models used in the film (what's left of it of course) in the center of the frame. The Chiodo brothers, special effects men themselves, are obviously star struck. Harryhausen explains the process, which is redundant with the commentary. (****)
Updated in 1998, the Mighty Joe Young remake did a fine job of keeping the charm of the original. Unfortunately, it went overboard with the comedy and goofiness of the subject matter, and in the end, failed to become as memorable. Stick with the completely under appreciated original.
ED: JH
Article comments
1 - larry
i saw mighty joe young. iloved
it. it. im not sure if was the same movie that was filmed at the the pike in long beach ca. long
gone, but not forgotten. larry