The animation will dazzle undemanding tots, but the writers must have been paid peanuts for a script that flings around hit and (mostly) miss gags, ranging from fart funnies to Freudianism (!), like so much monkey mess.
Space Chimps (2008)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:89
Fresh:33
Rotten:56
Average Rating:4.7/10
Consensus: Space Chimps' cheap animation and overabundance of monkey puns feels especially dated in a post-Wall-E world.
Theatrical Release:Jul 18, 2008 Wide
Box Office: $29,942,542
Synopsis: Circus monkey Ham III (voiced by Andy Samberg) works in a circus where he's regularly shot from a canon but he still lives in the shadow of his father's legacy (Ham I was the first chimp shot into... Circus monkey Ham III (voiced by Andy Samberg) works in a circus where he's regularly shot from a canon but he still lives in the shadow of his father's legacy (Ham I was the first chimp shot into space in 1961). A natural born rebel against authority, Ham the third is initially reluctant to go on a dangerous space mission to rescue a lost space probe, but away he goes, for lots of RIGHT STUFF-style astro-training alongside two highly prepared chimps, Luna and Titan (Cheryl Hines and Patrick Warburton). NASA's by-the-book methods jar with Ham's mischief-making of course, but once the space training ends, the mission begins, with myriad dangers along the way, including: a big-toothed monster and a run amok alien named Zartog (Jeff Daniels) whose harnessed the previous space probe for world-domination purposes, all good opportunities for Ham III to redeem himself. Despite all the fangs, parents shouldn't worry too much; not a hair on any chimp is seriously singed, and along the pratfall strewn way there's time for lessons about responsibility and realization of one's full potential. While the animation here is not quite up to Pixar level, it's still pretty and colorful, with a pleasing Candyland quality to the alien planet surface. Samberg brings a savvy zest to his vocal duties as the Ham, Stanley Tucci is a nefarious senator and--getting big laughs with flawlessly deadpan elan--Patrick Breen as one of the trio of egghead scientists. Kird De Micco directed; based on the computer video game. [More]
Starring: Andy Samberg, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Daniels, Patrick Warburton
Starring: Andy Samberg, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Daniels, Patrick Warburton, Kristin Chenoweth, Stanley Tucci, Omid Abtahi, Patrick Breen, Kenan Thompson, Carlos Alazraqui, Kath Soucie, Jane Lynch
Director: Kirk De Micco
Director: Kirk De Micco
Screenwriter: Kirk De Micco, Rob Moreland
Story: Kirk De Micco
Producer: John H. Williams, Barry Sonnenfeld
Composer: Chris Bacon
Studio: 20th Century Fox
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Release:
Jun 16, 2009
Reviews for Space Chimps
It may look half-finished, but it's bright and silly and passes the time.
Space Chimps isn't so terrible - unashamed kids stuff that addresses no bigger question than how to pee in a space suit.
Unfortunately, the film-makers assume that pre-adolescent audiences will only identify with a smug, hyperactive central character such as the Andy Samburg-voiced Ham. Still, it’s remarkable that they managed to smuggle an oral sex joke into a U-rated film
At a time when we are bombarded with dazzling CGI creations, the release of a film with such dull animation is intriguing. A film with clear adult aspirations held back by its supposed audience.
Coupling the men-on-a-mission antics of ‘Armageddon’ with the catch-all sci-fi pastiche of TV’s ‘Futurama’, ‘Space Chimps’ is an underwhelming slice of lowbrow CGI entertainment.
Up against WALL-E and Kung Fu Panda this CGI 'toon looks flat and unoriginal. Who's trying to ape Pixar?
Entertaining, nicely animated and frequently funny family adventure with superb vocal performances and an extremely witty script.
The best that can be said for Space Chimps is that it's utterly undistinguished.
A decidedly disapppointing, if occasionally diverting, digitally animated feature.
Given that we have a gorgeously-animated, beautifully-constructed interstellar fantasy like Wall-E currently in theaters, why would anybody waste their time on Space Chimps?
Modestly entertaining and moderately painless. Under the circumstances, perhaps it would be unfair to ask for more. In any case, you won't get it.
This banana-brained picture doesn't deliver. Parents will prefer shuttling everyone to a second showing of WALL-E.
Maybe I've been spoiled because WALL-E and KUNG FU PANDA were so good, but this is just garbage.
I have to admit, there’s a sort of dopey, cute, harmless charm to this movie. It actually doesn’t stink.
The beauty of this rather conventional, kiddy adventure is that it revels in not taking anything seriously. The script is peppered with stupid physical comedy, silly puns and dry witticisms on the concepts of space and monkeys.
From the animation to the plot to the characterizations, Space Chimps is second-rate goods, and that's only if you're being kind.
You won't go ape over 'Space Chimps.' But it won't hurt your kids to monkey around with this for 90 minutes.
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