Gorilla baseball superstar hits a home run in 'Mr. Go'

Note: Review contains some spoilers

How does this sound to you: a high-budget 3D film that tells the crazy story of a teenage circus girl and his 285-kilogram gorilla who can play baseball?

Not your usual family-oriented film with a formulaic plot, Mr. Go offers a rather engaging narrative packed with ape-sized laughs and emotions that could warm anybody's heart and make it pound with thrill. Flaunting technical achievements in Asian filmmaking, the movie is a definite visual joy for all ages.

The film depicts the tale of 15-year-old Wei Wei, a ringmaster of a circus in China that houses two gorillas, the amusing Ling Ling and the disobedient Lei Ting. When her baseball fanatic grandfather dies in an earthquake, the teenager is left to head the circus - also a home to dozens of orphans - and pay the huge debt of the old man, a sports gambling addict.

The solution to Wei Wei's financial woes? The gorilla Ling Ling, whom she helped raise and train to play baseball. With his beast-like batting skills, Ling Ling attracts famous South Korean baseball agent Sung Choong Soo, who promises the circus girl a huge paycheck if the gorilla plays in South Korea.

Seen as a potential boost to the sport, the South Korean professional baseball league allows Ling Ling to play for the Doosan Bears. Hitting home runs each game and propelling his team to the tournament finals, Ling Ling instantly takes the league by storm, and becomes the lovable baseball star "Mr. Go."

But conflict arises when the gorilla showed his wild side in one game where a spectator was hurt. Then later in the film, Ling Ling sustains an injury, endangering the Doosan Bears' championship bid and Sung Choong Soo's further plans. This also cast doubts on the friendship between Wei Wei and the gorilla.

Making the viewers feel a variety of emotions, "Mr. Go" is definitely short of boredom. Certain scenes, like those showing the bond between Wei Wei and Ling Ling, could get you nearly teary-eyed. On the other hand, some moments will surely make you throb with excitement, particularly the baseball matches and the part where helicopters chase the gorilla on the stadium roof.

And between thrill and "aww" moments, "Mr. Go" also abounds in hilarity, which is mostly seen in parts where the Ling Ling and Sung Choong Soo relate to each other. Even the bad guys are comical. There is also no lack of surprises as the film is packed with twists and turns, especially during the final baseball match.

But perhaps, the film's best assets are its visuals and technical achievements, which could compete with those from Hollywood. Budgeted at US$22.5 million, "Mr. Go" is reportedly the first South Korean film to be fully shot in 3D. The baseball games, the helicopter chase, and the rampage scene in the finale looked quite well as the detailed, animated gorilla appeared realistic with clear emotions and character.

In terms of story flow, "Mr. Go" moves in a nice fashion but lacked some character progression. The film also starts a little lousy with a simple narration but it becomes exhilarating until the end, where Ling Ling finally meets his match - an unexpected but familiar foe - in an epic baseball battle that best wraps up the movie.

Overall, "Mr. Go" is a good family film that won't waste your time. With an insane premise, visual marvels and a compelling narrative that will give you just the right blend of suspense, humor and drama, this gorilla movie has definitely hit a home run.

Distributed by Reality Multimedia, Inc, "Mr. Go" opens in SM Cinemas on October 16, Wednesday.