MONKEYBONE

The first twenty minutes of "Monkeybone" could test the patience of a Buddhist monk. An animated version of the movie’s hero, Stu Miley (Brendan Fraser), is introduced at the onset of puberty getting turned on by anything female - young or old - and at the most inopportune moments. The physical manifestation of his arousal is given a life of its own as Monkeybone (read ‘boner’), a horny comic strip monkey he created that personifies his id. The screen goes dark, the lights come up, and the real life Miley is lauded by his agent and a roomful of sycophants who are prepping him for a merchandising blitz based on a "Monkeybone" TV show. He sees the comic strip as an outlet for his fears and the idea of a TV show celebrating his nightmares appalls him. He just wants to shield himself in the protective arms of Julie (Bridget Fonda), his doctor girlfriend, who he hopes to propose to later that evening. A freak accident sends him into a coma and a semi-digitally animated limbo, called Downtown, where nightmares have a life of their own. In Miley’s dream state, Monkeybone is a standup comic trying to hit on all species of female. Death (Whoopi Goldberg) presides over the gates to the next world while the rest of the bureaucracy watch nightmares for entertainment. Much of this sounds fascinating and looks fantastic, as one might expect from Henry Selick, the creator of "The Nightmare Before Christmas" but it is neither funny, nor dramatic. It’s all a set up for what follows - some of the most imaginative and uproarious comic bits ever put on screen.

Miley’s untamed id - Monkeybone - escapes from Downtown by inhabiting Miley’s body. giving Brendan Fraser a chance to act out his animal instincts and turn the world at large into one huge jungle gym. He pursues Julie with the uninhibited playfulness of his chimp within. Monkeybone also learns to embrace the merchandising world that Miley loathes. He manipulates the toy manufacturers into making a lifelike Monkeybone doll whose noxious emissions will help him fulfill a pact for his freedom with the ruler of nightmares. The real Miley has to set things right. With a little help from his friends in the netherworld, he comes back - ala "Here Comes Mr.Jordan" (or Chris Rock’s update "Down to Earth") - as a recently deceased organ donor in the person of Chris Kattan. Kattan matches Fraser’s antics, bit for bit, with some inspired lunacy reminiscent of the days of silent cinema.. The highlight of "Monkeybone" is a chase scene, executed with Mack Sennet precision with doctors chasing their cadaver through the streets like the Keystone Cops wielding their knives like night sticks with Monkeybone/Miley heading the pack. The flailing body of Kattan’s dead, but loose limbed, champion athlete throws off enough body parts to put "Hannibal" to shame. But to get there you still have to endure that laborious set up. Ultimately the physical comedy of Brendan Fraser, Chris Kattan, and a fine supporting cast makes it all worthwhile.

Copyright 2001

Some Video Pix with some funny dead people

"Beetle Juice" (1988) - Tim Burton’s classic about the rebel spirit who wreaks havoc for a ghostly couple trying to help a young girl find herself. Like "Monkeybone," the first quarter of the movie sets up the scenario for the madcap antics to follow. With an all star cast that includes Michael Keaton as the title character and Alec Baldwin and Geena Davis as the ghosts. Winona Ryder is the goth-like kid with teen angst.

"Here Comes Mr. Jordan" (1941) - The Oscar winner for best original screenplay with Robert Montgomery as a boxer who dies before his time and goes back to earth in someone else’s body. Claude Rains is his heavenly guardian. Remade as "Heaven Can Wait" in 1978 with Warren Beatty as a football player who dies ahead of his time.

"Stairway to Heaven" (1946) (English title:"A Matter of Life and Death") - Another classic from the Michael Powell ("The Thief of Bagdad" with Sabu) and producing partner Emeric Pressburger with David Niven as a WWII RAF flyer shot down who drifts back and forth between the real world and the after life where he must convince a heavenly tribunal they’ve got the wrong guy.

"Angel on My Shoulder" (1946) - Paul Muni is a murdered gangster who returns to life as a righteous judge in exchange for a lighter sentence in hell. Some more whimsy from the same writers who penned "Here Comes Mr. Jordan." Muni is always great. Claude Rains is Satan.