Greenes Please don't spend money on this.

GurlyIamBeach Instant Favorite.

Chirphymium It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Calum Hutton It's a good bad... and worth a popcorn matinée. While it's easy to lament what could have been...

poe-48833 As with most of what he's done, George Romero's MONKEY SHINES focuses on Human interaction(s)- to the Nth degree, one might say (thanks to telepathy). Not unlike many of the low budget sci-fi and horror movies of the 1950s and '60s, MONKEY SHINES presents its concepts in a straightforward fashion, without the often off-putting tongue-in-cheek attitude of filmmakers whose attitudes suggest they're just slumming in the genre(s). It would be interesting to find out if Romero's decision to direct this one had anything to do with the monkey that he once owned (see the NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEAD filmbook by John Russo or THE ZOMBIES THAT ATE PITTSBURGH by Paul Gagne). (One of my many misadventures driving a cab involved a monkey: I was sent to pick up "the monkey lady." When I asked what that meant, I was told, "You'll see." It turned out that the woman had a pet monkey on a leash. The little guy was only about ten inches tall- if that. He was wearing a little black leather jacket. I made the mistake of smiling at him. He clutched my forearm with both hands, bared his fangs, and BIT me. His teeth didn't penetrate my jacket, but I felt as if I were being pinched very, very hard. The woman pulled him off of me and explained that looking a monkey in the eyes and "flashing my fangs" at him was an "act of aggression." Suffice it to say, I don't own a monkey...)

Leofwine_draca For his follow-up to DAY OF THE DEAD, George Romero chose this adaptation of a novel which manages to be scary thanks to the fact that it's an extremely realistic film. I don't think the scientific experiments on monkeys portrayed here are that far-fetched, do you? Of course, it wouldn't be a very good film if there weren't some fantastic moments, but for the most part this is an accurate and bleak tale. It's also a rather unpleasant one, albeit a film without the graphic gore which Romero usually delivers. Fans of his zombie trilogy will probably be disappointed with the total lack of blood and guts on here, as instead we get a slow-moving, character-focused drama which runs for nearly two hours. Yes, there are a number of deaths, but most of them are off screen. Tom Savini is credited with effects but seriously, they're few and far between.What makes this film an interesting one for me is the unusual story that it has. Monkeys have always seemed to be quite evil creatures (check out OUTBREAK if you don't believe me) and this film dwells on an evil monkey, called Ella. The nature-running-amok theme is handled quite well, leading to a lot of creepy moments amid the more typical shocks. The acting can best be described as adequate, seeing as this is a late '80s movie... although I rather liked Jason Beghe's Jekyll/Hyde routine as the lead. But the real star of the show here is Ella, the monkey, who frequently does astonishing things. Watching a monkey running around with a straight razor and stabbing needles into people is something I found to be quite disturbing.Although the film is gore-free, it's also not for the squeamish, as lots of nasty things happen to people involving needles and implied violence (especially when that needle gets too close to someone's ear, ugh!). The climax is quite good, highlighting the shortcomings of Beghe's disability as he desperately fights for control against the monkey which is now openly murdering all and sundry. And I defy you not to be shocked by the ending, which sees Beghe literally biting and ripping the monkey apart using only his teeth (as he's paralysed from the neck down). All this and there's time for a happy ending too. MONKEY SHINES is a film with a great idea behind it, only let down by the long running time and slow pace which frequently mean scenes verge on boredom. I would call it an interesting curiosity piece, but not one to go out of your way to see and not one you would want to watch again.

gwnightscream Jason Beghe, John Pankow, Kate McNeil and Joyce Van Patten star in George Romero's 1988 sci-fi/horror film based on the novel. This focuses on former athlete, Allan (Beghe) who gets paralyzed in an auto accident. Soon, his scientist friend, Geoffrey (Pankow) decides to give him an experimental monkey, Ella to help him recover. Allan and Ella bond immediately, but Allan starts having a telepathic link with her causing behavioral changes and Ella becomes dangerous. McNeil (The House on Sorority Row) plays Melanie, an animal specialist who finds romance with Allan and Van Patten plays Allan's overbearing mother, Dorothy. This is a pretty good 80's sci-fi/horror flick with a decent cast and great make-up effects by Tom Savini as usual. I recommend this.

SnakesOnAnAfricanPlain George Romero does an excellent job of swapping Zombies for Monkeys. This film may sound ridiculous in the most preposterous way. But then again, we now live in a world of Snakes on a Plane and Burning Bright, so this is a little easier to swallow. In its genre, it is one of the best examples, and I'm not just talking about killer animals. I'm also referring to the stalker/obsessive partner/friend genre. What Romero does brilliantly, is to take a number of characters and the audience on a journey of emotions and self discovery. For example, I started off wanting one of these monkeys. The relationship built up is a genuinely loving one. It's really cute, and this could easily be one of those lifetime inspirational movies. If the monkey wasn't a genetically modified, telepathic, homicidal, psycho monkey. The well trained monkey takes us from tragic victim of experiments, to a loving carer. We get a wonderful cleaning montage, as the monkey helps the friendship expands. The monkey's obsession grows steadily. It starts off with a few temper tantrums and escalates into bananas in the slippers. Soon bananas turn to murder. It's the evolution of all species.None of this would work if it wasn't for a dramatic human connection. Beghe is a law student/athlete that is paralysed. He goes through acceptance, denial, frustration, which is understandable as his girlfriend leaves him for his doctor (a sleazy Tucci), he gets a patronizing nurse, and then his overbearing mother. It's great to see how the characters react to Beghe's quadriplegia, as it enforces Beghe's later anger. Beghe also does a terrific job of facial acting, which is most important as he can't use his body. In a single look he can convey the embarrassment of his mother having to wash him. On the surface, this is a story of a monkey being a bitch to a cripple. But look deep down, REAAAAAAALLY deep, and you'll see a social commentary. For a long time, the monkey is the only one that treats Beghe as an equal. It doesn't throw money at his problem, try and cheer him up, nor can the monkey do everything for him. Romero fills the film with dread, absurdity, and most of all a serious edge that clearly does the film justice. It's easy to mock this film. But the truth is, this could actually happen. Monkeys are creepy and untrustworthy.