Orangutan-fixated screenwriter Jeremy Joe Kronsberg ("Every Which Way But Loose") debuts as director with more primate hijinks as Foster Sabatini (Tony Danza) inherits a trio of orangutans from his late father Max, owner of a circus. He must successfully care for the apes for two years; then, only then, he'll inherit his dads' $5 million fortune. Naturally, greedy / scummy characters abound who also want their hands on the money.
"Going Ape!" is a deliberately dopey, goofy comedy complete with tons of slapstick, and culminating in some frantic chases, making it reminiscent of the kind of thing that Disney was doing in some of its live action features of the 60s and 70s. For me personally, some of the humor just fell flat, with uninspired direction from Kronsberg. As you may well expect, the orangutans completely steal the show, and they can be HILARIOUS. Thanks to them, and some good moments for Danzas' 'Taxi' co-star Danny DeVito and Jessica Walter ("Play Misty for Me"), the movie manages to not be a total waste of time. Danza, at least, is likeable as usual, and Stacey Nelkin ("Halloween III: Season of the Witch") is typically adorable as his frustrated girlfriend. The supporting cast includes Art Metrano ("Police Academy" 2 and 3), Frank Sivero ("GoodFellas"), Rick Hurst ('The Dukes of Hazzard'), Joseph Maher ("The Evil That Men Do"), Leon Askin ('Hogan's Heroes'), Jacquelyn Hyde ("Take the Money and Run"), and Ted White (Jason in "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter"). The boy at the funeral is played by Gabriel Jarret ("Real Genius"), in his film debut; he's Kronsbergs' son.
Obviously, silliness like this won't be to all tastes. Some people will find it tiresome. But, like those aforementioned Disney pictures, all of its violence is purely comical where nobody gets really hurt, and the bad guys all end up getting what they deserve. The kid(s) in your family will probably like this.
Five out of 10.
"Going Ape!" is a deliberately dopey, goofy comedy complete with tons of slapstick, and culminating in some frantic chases, making it reminiscent of the kind of thing that Disney was doing in some of its live action features of the 60s and 70s. For me personally, some of the humor just fell flat, with uninspired direction from Kronsberg. As you may well expect, the orangutans completely steal the show, and they can be HILARIOUS. Thanks to them, and some good moments for Danzas' 'Taxi' co-star Danny DeVito and Jessica Walter ("Play Misty for Me"), the movie manages to not be a total waste of time. Danza, at least, is likeable as usual, and Stacey Nelkin ("Halloween III: Season of the Witch") is typically adorable as his frustrated girlfriend. The supporting cast includes Art Metrano ("Police Academy" 2 and 3), Frank Sivero ("GoodFellas"), Rick Hurst ('The Dukes of Hazzard'), Joseph Maher ("The Evil That Men Do"), Leon Askin ('Hogan's Heroes'), Jacquelyn Hyde ("Take the Money and Run"), and Ted White (Jason in "Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter"). The boy at the funeral is played by Gabriel Jarret ("Real Genius"), in his film debut; he's Kronsbergs' son.
Obviously, silliness like this won't be to all tastes. Some people will find it tiresome. But, like those aforementioned Disney pictures, all of its violence is purely comical where nobody gets really hurt, and the bad guys all end up getting what they deserve. The kid(s) in your family will probably like this.
Five out of 10.