Congo – Review

Based on a pretty dope book, Congo never reaches the same heights as the novel, but does feature some okay-ish execution and a good cast. As the African countryside is shown, animals, tribes and explorers traverse all of the terrain’s layers. An expedition team with bright red jackets climb the volcano Mt. Mukenko and head deep into the jungles. They set up matching bright red tents as well as a satellite comms link which is received in Houston, Texas by communications company TraviCom.

Charles Travis (Campbell) notes the success of finding rare flawless blue diamonds, which appear to power some laser weaponry experiments. Then, the volcano shakes with activity, leading to small earthquakes. Next, explorer Jeffrey Weems leads Charles into the jungle to see yet another discovery. They are met with an unseen force which leads to much screaming. Charles does not make the next satellite chat with Houston. Probably a bummer for Charles.

What happened to the camp?! Well, naturally the diamonds are still needed for a company laser project, so another expedition team is assembled to go deep into the Congo jungles and recover them. Dr. Karen Ross (Linney) was monitoring the satellite transmissions, so she is sent in with a team and sets her sights on finding Charles. She reaches out to all sorts of doctors and scientists.

Meanwhile, Dr. Peter Elliot (Walsh) decides to take his gorilla pal Amy home to Africa. He has created an experimental device which is a robotic speech machine, allowing Amy to make human words with her mind. Animals can talk! Karen Ross looks to bring them along, as does Romanian explorer Herkermer Homolka (Curry), who offers to fund the trip. As this group of oddly connected individuals flies toward the lost Congo crew, will talkative gorilla Amy help keep the other problematic wildlife at bay during this expedition into the jungles?

While the book was way better (Ugh, I guess I am one of those guys), and it did not feature talking gorillas, this movie has some solid parts and plenty of likeable actors. It is more of an action movie wanna-be with a semi-thin plot. The setting is cool, and the danger is ominous and feels plausible, so that all helps, buuut… some of the characterizations are only so-so. Strong actors have fun with their roles and decent production values along with a few solid ideas help keep it mostly watchable, but set expectations lower than most adventure blockbusters.

Reviews were never strong for this one, and honestly a remake could right some of the wrongs, but it is okay for at least one viewing and if you are okay with B-movies from the 90s.