Episode 160 - Congo (1995)

About this episode

The hosts review the 1995 film 'Congo' and discuss its merits and flaws.

Cooper and Nolan are going ape this week when they cover 1995's CONGO by special request! After the wild, unbridled success of Jurassic Park, studios were practically tripping over themselves to adapt more Michael Crichton novels. But whatever hopes Paramount Pictures might have had for this one went up in a cloud of talking gorillas, diamond-powered lasers, and VERY questionable European accents. Are there enough action scenes and old-timey adventure elements to keep this thing interesting, or at least as interesting as Nolan found it as a 13-year-old? Or is this all just a shameless cash grab/theme park ride masquerading as a blockbuster movie? Much like the list city of Zinj, the answer may be hard to find, but either way this episode (featuring a beer from the Aquanova Brewing Company) is an expedition that's worth taking.

People in this episode

Hosts: Cooper, Nolan

Topics covered

• film review
• Congo
• Michael Crichton
• 1995 movies
• adventure films
• blockbuster analysis

Keywords

• Congo
• 1995 film
• Michael Crichton
• Jurassic Park
• action scenes
• adventure elements
• blockbuster

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Paramount Pictures

Books & works: Congo

More episodes of Bad Movies & Beer

• Episode 163 - Cliffhanger (1993) · June 8, 2026 · 55 min
• Episode 162 - Howling II: Your Sister is a Werewolf (1985) · May 23, 2026 · 60 min
• Episode 161 - Samurai Cop (1991) · May 7, 2026 · 59 min
• Episode 159 - Mad Max (1979) · April 3, 2026 · 58 min
• Episode 158 - Child's Play 3 (1991) · March 13, 2026 · 42 min
• Episode 157 - Hammer (1972) · February 27, 2026 · 55 min