 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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Monkeybone
- Review Date: May 4, 2004
- PG-13
- Genre: Comedy
- 2002
Common Sense Media says
Starts out bad and gets progressively worse.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this movie has some crass jokes and situations, excessive sexual innuendo, and some moderate profanity. Parents should be aware that there are copulating animals, sexually aroused humans, a nude female showering in silhouette, and enough cleavage and innuendo to put a James Bond movie to shame.
What's the story?
Stu Miley (Brendan Fraser) is a cartoonist whose vulgar creation, Monkeybone, has become very popular, making Stu himself a celebrity. On the verge of the launch of a TV series based on Monkeybone, Stu is in an accident that puts him in a coma. He finds himself in a place called Dark Town, a place where the comatose go while waiting to regain consiousness or die. Dark Town is also home to fictional characters, and Stu meets his vulgar creation. When Monkeybone set out to take over Stu's body, Stu must find a way to stop him.
Is it any good?
If you enjoy the most juvenile kind of erection- and orifice-based humor, or games of keep-away played with human internal organs, or the notion of seeing Brendan Fraser (George of the Jungle) sing "Brick House" and get pantsed by an orangutan, then you just might get your money's worth out of MONKEYBONE. But be warned: These things sound funnier than the movie ever manages to make them. The painful truth is that Monkeybone starts out bad and gets progressively worse as the hope of even the most meager payoff disintegrates. The mix of live action, animation, puppetry, and wild funhouse scenery never lives up to its intriguing promise, not just because the effects are less than convincing, but because in adapting Kaja Blackley's graphic novel Dark Town, screenwriter Sam Hamm fails to intrigue us on any level. The string of gags he delivers in place of a story is too lame even to satisfy thirteen-year-olds looking for a few cheap laughs.
Director Henry Selick, whose genius with stop-motion effects is evidenced by his films James and the Giant Peach and The Nightmare Before Christmas, seems to needs producer Tim Burton close by to keep him on course. For some, Rose McGowan in a cleavage-revealing cat suit will provide some pleasant diversion, but Whoopi Goldberg as Death? Somebody obviously thought the mere idea of it was so hilarious that they didn't need to give her anything funny to do.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the appeal of this movie and crude comedy in general. Were there parts of the film you found more offensive than funny? Would you seek out other movies like this or stick to lighter comedy fare?
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AGE
For once, it's pretty much like commonsensemedia says
In this film's defense, though, the stop-motion in this is incredible and quite groundbreaking really. However, all in all, it's mostly just stupid and juvenile and I think it tries too hard to be funny. I'd love to say this film is so bad it's worth watching, but there are moments that I think even psychos would find disturbing.
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AGE
Just really, really stupid
Your brain deserves better.
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AGE
Monkey bone!
Alright movie which is pretty strange.
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| Studio: | Twentieth Century Fox |
| Director: | Henry Selick |
| Cast: | Brendan Fraser, Bridget Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 88 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | March 25, 2002 |
| DVD release date: | March 25, 2002 |
| MPAA rating: | PG-13 |
| MPAA explanation: | crude humor and some nudity |
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