MXP: Most Xtreme Primate (G, 2003)

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.

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.

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