They've grown up together in the wild. And Joe really has grown up - to some 2,000 pounds and 15 feet tall. His chest-pounding roar and indelicate footsteps reverberate throughout the theater. Strasser remains a threat to Joe and to Jill. He persuades Jill to bundle off the big guy to a preserve in California where Joe will be safe.
Nothing goes quite as planned.
Strasser shows up, Joe freaks out, and havoc ensues. Joe is caged, which is precisely what Jill sought to avoid. With some strategic help, Jill and Gregg smuggle Joe out of captivity. Again, things go awry. Joe escapes and wanders away to an oceanfront amusement park, the setting for the final showdown.