Psycho Ape!

Addison Binek's monkey mindbender "Psycho Ape" has a punk D.I.Y. energy that is infectious and fun. It makes no bones about being made on the cheap and actually celebrates it with shameless gusto. Cheesiness is the movie's raison d'être. It's "Robot Monster" with fur. Sporting a pith helmet and chewing ample amounts of scenery, B-movie superstar Bill Weeden's character Dr. ZOOmis channels Groucho Marx as Dr. Spaulding with devilish glee. Kansas Bowling is a charmer as the fluorescent go-go girl Nancy Banana. I highly recommend "Psycho Ape" to hardcore fans of obscure VHS splatter flicks and to members of the often-maligned cult of banana obsessives (yes, they exist). Bananas are more than just a fetish, they're the Rosebud, in this "Citizen Kane" of ape movies. "Psycho Ape" exists on a double-bill with "Blood Feast" in the grindhouse of my dreams.

A lot of movies that fit into the subgenre of "low" or "micro" budget have a tough decision to make... the first choices are between ignoring their limitations and leaning into them. Then comes the decision on "how far do we lean into this joke..." It is a tricky game. "The Lost Skeleton of Cadavra" is successful in much the same way. Acknowledging where the joke lays and understanding the budget doesn't let you run away with it, but also not overstaying your welcome. "Psycho Ape" plays this game fairly well. Some jokes might run a bit long, but it still plays to get the laugh. I applaud these filmmakers for giving us exactly what "Psycho Ape" should be...

Classy Trashy, "Gorilla" filmmaking.

Low budget films can be a lot of fun, and Psycho Ape is one of those films. It has a pre-mainstream John Waters feel about it that will no doubt help it to achieve "Cult Classic" status. Director Addison Binek,(who also co-wrote and produced Psycho Ape) found the perfect talent formula in his cast, which includes new comer, Kansas Bowling, veteran B movie and Troma Films favorite, Bill Weeden and Stephen Albers as the "hunky" Psycho Ape. Maybe it's the "Covid" isolation, but I can see Albers's killer ape reaching a sex symbol status. Everybody Loves A Fun Ape Movie!

I can't say enough good things about this film. From the amazing casting of Bill Weeden and Kansas Bowling to the perfect homages to many great film makers before them. Psycho Ape delivers on many levels and hits every focal point a movie should. The comedy is timed perfectly and the B-grade gore fits the bill in amazing way. How they came across the idea for casting extras all over the US I'll never know but it works for them in ways I didn't think they even expected. If you can only watch one movie this year make it Psycho Ape!

This movie is what you get if you loved 80's comedies and you also love the full moon and troma genre. This is a love letter to that and more. So get some shatter,sit back,and watch Psycho Ape! 5/5 bananas! There's Banana fu,4 breasts,tail pipe fu,and the ever fun suck on my banana fu!