Gorillas in the Mist (1988)reviewed by Benn "Where's the Humanity?" Farrell
"Gorillas in the Mist" is the story of Diane Fossey, played by multi Academy Award® nominee Weaver (Working Girl), a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and who eventually became the species' most memorable activist and protector until her unexplained murder. The picture's material goes around in circles through act two, especially when it introduces the countryside's poachers as a nemesis. Fossey spends much of the later half of act two reeling about the gorillas safety and the money involved in motivation the poaching of the gorillas. After a while, I found myself not caring since it was a constant nagging on the viewer. However, Fossey, as the poaching war continues, becomes more mentally unstable, and Weaver's performance become more fun and gripping to watch. She makes the second half of this 2 hour, 9 minute movie worth watching. The more crazy she became, the more interested the viewer becomes. She was awesome; maybe my favorite performance of hers ever. Director Michael Apted (Coal Miner's Daughter, The World is Not Enough) also gave this picture a special role allowing the camera crew and Weaver to interact with actual gorillas in some scenes, animatronics in others, and costumed human in a couple quick shots. Apted mingled all the gorilla sequences flawlessly, to where it's nearly seamless. Overall, I think if you're a Sigourney Weaver fan, you can't go without seeing this movie. Otherwise, the second half may feel long for a spell, but Weaver really keeps every minute worth watching closely. It's a very heart felt picture. Benn - Where's the Humanity?
This picture is very exciting in some sequences and goes around in circles in others. The best thing about it however is watching Sigourney Weaver tear it the f**k up.