Going Ape!

Someone must have talked with Clyde's manager.

Whoever gave the green light for "Going Ape!" deserves to have to spend a few months in the company of orangutangs themselves. I mean, the ones who don't cut movie deals.

Danza plays a loser who has to babysit a trio of the orange apes and his cousin Lazlo (DeVito) in order to gain a hefty inheritance. Of course, there are forces conspiring against him.

Basically, this is just an excuse for seeing orangutangs do their stuff, and they indeed do stuff. Unfortunately, they have to involve humans in the act, too. Everyone looks pretty much embarrassed to be in this flick and who can blame them? I'm embarrassed to admit that I've seen it.

But, is "Going Ape!" worth seeing? Sure, if it's a slow night at the zoo.

But for those of us on the other side of the monkey bars....

One star. You want to see funny monkeys, watch C-SPAN.

I remember seeing this movie on TV as an 8 year old and found it hilarious. I mean who doesn't love Orangutans and people acting like idiots? The jokes seemed funny and everyone acted like a cartoon character. When I watched this again in my 20s I realized how horrible and unfunny it was.

The entire movie simply existed to showcase the tricks the trained apes could do. I guess in 1980 you could make an entire movie about that. But since the early 00s, you could just go on internet and see Orangutans do stupid crap. You don't need a two hour movie for it.

Tony Danza and Danny DeVito were huge stars at the time from Taxi and weren't needed in the movie. All the human characters were made to act braindead likely cause the audience for the film were 8 year olds.

Basically this is a kids' movie. Anyone over the age of 10 probably will hate it.

Jeremy Joe Kronsberg wrote and directed this comedy involving orangutans (Kronsberg also wrote Every Which Way but Loose), with Tony Danza as their keeper. Danza's father was a big star in the circus world and had left him $4,000,000, providing he can take care of the monkeys. He calls in his friend Laszlo (an uproarious Danny DeVito) to help out and also has to deal with his jealous girlfriend and her disapproving mother. The comedy is really well-done with numerous set pieces involving a food fight, a wacky climatic car chase, and a showdown at a hospital involving a slew of crooks wanting Danza's inheritance. I think of this as a old-fashioned Disney comedy, but with adult themes present.

Going Ape is one of best movies ever made. I believe people should reevaluate their vote on this fine movie. If anybody loves to watch a butch of crazy apes that are constantly getting into mischief, this is the movie for you!!!

I couldn't believe my eyes when I discovered they finally put this on Blu Ray. I recorded it from cable in the 80s and wore that tape out. Haven't seen it since. This is the epitome of 80s comedies. Put your brain on hold and just flow with the story. I haven't laughed this hard since before the pandemic started. It probably won't fly with those who are expecting something profound. If the idea of an orangutan bitch slapping a bumbling criminal makes you smile, you won't be disappointed.