Flying Monkeys

Why do I watch Syfy movies? Simple: I long for the days of Creature Feature and Chiller Theater. Okay, so not much today comes close to "The Killer Shrews." I am also not the first to point that most current CGI does not improve on Ray Harryhausen. That said, there a few Syfy films worth watching. "Sabretooth" is not bad; "Rise of the Zombies" is a pleasant surprise (and way better than Steve Niles "Remains"); the best to my mind, is "Abominable." Now this film about flying monkeys with big appetites actually has a few things going for it. 1) Not a typically predictable plot--after a girl receives a pet that is not what it seems to be; (2)Two Asian ass-kickers who bring the right combination of seriousness and humor; (3) Likable characters--not generic monster food, and; (4)scary monsters. No need to make these flying monkeys Cloverfield-size--this is one film where the CGI works. Better in every way than the useless "Tasmanian Devils." 6/10

The CGI creature was enough to let me know I'd be wasting my time if I sat through any more.

After failing to get to his daughter Joan's high school graduation on time her father decides to make amends by buying her a pet. Unfortunately the monkey he gets is not what it seems; as soon as it gets dark the monkey transforms into a demon-flying monkey which flies off to hunt live prey; largely the unsuspecting inhabitants of Joan's home town of Gale, Kansas. If that wasn't enough if it is shot and wounded it quickly recovers and becomes two creatures! The monkey was smuggled into America on a flight from China where a pair of locals are hunting the creature with ancient weapons; the only things that can actually kill the beasts... will they be able to track the last such creature to Gale before it is too late?

It must be said this film is rather trashy; it is made for TV and distinctly feels like it. That said if you are in the right mood it is rather enjoyable. The idea of the flying monkeys clearly comes from 'The Wizard of Oz' and the film nicely adds a few more references, it is set in Kansas, in a town called Gale, a clear nod to Dorothy Gale and there is even a scarecrow opposite her house. The plot is pretty basic but serves to give plenty of monkey attacks; unfortunately these feel a bit too tame; presumably due to restrictions on what can be put in a TV movie. The acting ranges from good enough to a bit ropey but that doesn't matter too much; nobody went into this expecting award winning performances. On the plus side a lack of swearing and nudity as well as nothing really disturbing means this can be viewed by slightly younger viewers than most horror films. Overall I'd only recommend this to fans of trashy horror.

The acting was terrible, the graphics awful. Really bad film. Wish I'd not wasted my time.

I have seen worse movies but I'm hard pressed to name them, Netflix truly entered Amazon level mince films with this bottom of the barrel crapfest.

I have seen actual monkeys throwing faeces that was better than this, it's not funny just sad, don't watch it.