"DID YOU GET THE DIAMONDS!!"

Joe Don Baker, star of Congo

There are few movies that I enjoy watching as much as Congo. Now first off let me state that I realize the movie is stupid, but I don't care. There is something so funny about the whole thing that I can't help but laugh my ass off every time I watch it. Just Joe Don Baker's performance alone is priceless. His ridiculous R.B. Travis, owner of TraviCOM is perhaps the greatest character ever. Watching him scream "DID YOU GET THE DIAMONDS!!!" makes the movie. Congo is populated with a variety of interesting actors who must have thought they were in the next Jurassic Park. Dylan Walsh, star of Nip/Tuck, stars as Dr. Peter Elliot, kind-hearted gorilla teacher, trying to take his ward back to the jungle. Tim Curry is Herkermer Homolka, rich, quasi-philanthropist, with an ulterior motive and Ernie Hudson is the "great white hunter", Monroe Kelly. Other than Joe Don Baker, the other stand out performance is given by Delroy Lindo, as the odd ball Military Commander who keeps his bribe money in a stapled brown paper bag. His interaction with Tim Curry's character is amazing. The storyline of Congo is silly and perfect. It has volcanos, satellites, lasers, killer grey gorillas that dive into lava, killer hippos, skydiving, sign language and sesame cake. Everything you would ever want is in there. Like I said it's dumb, but fun. And oh yeah Bruce Campbell is in the mix for a hot second. He plays Joe Don's son Charlie. He leads the first ill-fated group into the forbidden Congo. Blink and you'll miss him. Congo is not perfect. When I bring it up, people usually sneer and throw things at me. But they're fools, they don't understand. Congo is good, Congo is really good! All hail Congo!