MXP: Most Xtreme Primate (G, 2003)

common sense media says

Young animal fans will enjoy snowboarding chimp.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this film shows a loveable chimpanzee being kidnapped and put in a cage by a couple of bumbling bad guys. Small children may be frightened by the bad guys. Jack the chimp, who has proved himself in the hockey rink and on a skateboard, now triumphs as a snowboarder. More important, he provides companionship for a lonely 12-year-old boy.

Positive messages: Brothers are extremely cooperative and kind to each other. Big brother plays a large role in caregiving of younger brother.
Violence & scariness: Bad guys are thrown from parked car into snow. A chimp is kidnapped and put in a cage. Small kids may be scared of the bad guys.
Sexy stuff: Viewers see male characters leering at women at ski slope.
Language: Main character teased about chimp friend. Bad guys threatened by their boss.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on MXP: Most Xtreme Primate

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the challenges faced by kids who move to a new town. Also, children might want to discuss the ethics of using animals in films and teaching them to do stunts, such as snowboarding.

What's the story?

What's the story?
From the creators of Air Bud, MXP: MOST EXTREME PRIMATE is a comedic tale Jack the chimp, who misses the days when he played hockey and rode a skateboard. To lift his spirits, his human "mother" decides to take Jack and other chimps in the family to Mexico. Mistaken identity at the airport ensues; Jack ends up on a plane to Colorado. He befriends two brothers and moves into their home. And in the backdrop of this all, two silly gangsters want to steal Jack to sell and pay off a debt. Jack learns to snowboard and enters a race with Pete, the younger brother. When kidnapped by the gangsters, the boss is not happy as he's placed good money on Jack and Pete winning the race. They do win the race and at the finish line, Jack is reunited by his "mother" and baby brother chimp.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
There's just something wrong about putting a chimpanzee on a snowboard. If you can get past it, you'll enjoy this movie. Despite the obvious animal-rights issues, this film shows brothers caring for each other, a single dad (played by Robby Benson) facing the challenges of raising kids alone, and the struggles of middle childhood, especially when kids have to make new friends. Pete is the hero in this story and a likable character. He's also a radical snowboarder and shows his stuff at the end with pro snowboarder Bjorn Leines. Parents will need to breathe deeply when listening to the very annoying surfer/snowboarder accent of the older brother. He's no Jeff Spicoli. And, very young kids may be scared by the gangsters, who are really just a pair of bumbling idiots. But if your kids are into chimps and snowboarding, it's a totally awesome flick, dude.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Buena Vista
Director: Robert Vince
Cast: Devin Douglas Drewitz, Robby Benson, Trevor Wright
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 88 minutes
Theatrical release: January 20, 2003
DVD release: January 20, 2003
MPAA Rating: G
MPAA explanation: all audiences

This review was written by Pam Gelman
 
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age