SYNOPSIS:
When a $5 billion Space Agency probe disappears into an intergalactic
wormhole, the agency recruits Ham III, grandson of the first
chimpanzee in space, to help retrieve the wayward craft. But
Ham is a free-spirited circus performer more interested in
zero gravity high jinks than living up to his illustrious
heritage. The simian slacker becomes a reluctant hero and
learns the true meaning of courage as he and his crewmates,
the fearless Lt. Luna and their uptight commander, Titan,
risk everything in an effort to save the peaceful inhabitants
of a distant planet from an evil dictator.
MOVIE REVIEW:
Heard of "Happily N’ Ever After" or "Valiant"?
Never mind, I guess most readers today would not recall these animation movies unless it’s produced by the Disney/Pixar or DreamWorks’ labels. Together with "Space Chimps", these movies are done by the little-known Vanguard Animation studio.
To be fair to the makers of "Space Chimps", let’s not hastily jump to the conclusion that this is a 'bad' animation just purely based on the fact that it’s not a product from Disney/Pixar or DreamWorks. On the whole, "Space Chimps" have a few redeeming factors to be consider a real stinker. We seen worst ones.
The story begins with a circus chimp named Ham III (Andy Samberg) who is picked by NASA to join a space program to retrieve a space probe that has disappeared into a worm hole. Joining him on this expedition is Luna, the love interest and Titan, the commander of the ship. Crash landed on a strange planet shortly after takeoff, the three chimps must stay together to battle a tyrant named Zartog (Jeff Daniels) and get back to earth safely in time.
Aside from the fact that the animation and visual flair looks like a work-in-progress, looks outright flat and the characters for example the chimps which look more like the current state of Michael Jackson and the deformed look of the strange silicon alien creatures inhibiting the planet Malgor, the production might still be appealing to the kids.
I’m not being hypocritical but then you can’t expect everything to be in the league of the two gigantic animation houses. At least if you see things from an eight year old’s perspective, "Space Chimps" contains enough excitement, adventure and humour (lots of 'chimp' jokes, pardon the pun) for the short 88 minutes. A chase in a jungle followed by another chase in a cave and also an encounter with a cute big-headed alien named Kilowatt, it’s a family friendly movie that never requires you to explain much to the younger ones. Perhaps the underlying message of 'a reluctant hero that saves the day' might help those potential parents who dozed off shortly after the opening credits as this is seriously not something for the adult demographics.
Director and co-writer Kirk De Micco accomplished something that will occupy the imagination of the younger ones. Not to be offensive, at least it beats reading a book for most hyperactive little kiddos. This of course explains why "Space Chimps 2" is currently in production. In space, no one can hear you scream.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
This Code 3 DVD contains a trailer.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The audio and visual is passable definitely not reference quality. If you wish to pick up this DVD, I’m sure the younger ones in your household won’t be that picky about the choice of audio and visual so no worries.
MOVIE RATING:
DVD
RATING :
Review
by Linus Tee
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