Shakma: A Fúria Assassina

Where is the love for Shakma? This is an entertaining, mindless cheesy Horror flick that came in the decline of a genre.

The movie is about a killer baboon. How could someone not like it? It's cheesy as hell and unintentionally funny but still it delivers expectations. I'm glad I rented this on VHS because I had a great moment. I laughed, cringed, and applauded for Shakma! The lead characters had great chemistry between each other. Wyss on her hottest form, Atkins, and the always fantastic Roddy McDowall were great on their roles. But keep in mind that Shakma is the real star of the movie. Our killer baboon made the entire movie watchable.

Rent this not so bad piece of 80's Horror trash and have a good time. Remember to keep your brain out of this. You won't need it.

Mark my words, fellow rabid-monkey-related movie fans, you will remember the first time you watch "Shakma." It is a transcendent experience that has surpassed all other rabid-monkey-related movies, in my book. The plot, which involves a rabid monkey, is of little consequence. It's the subtle humor that's injected throughout the film. For instance, after one character meets his demise in an elevator to the wrath of Shakma, he is mocked by the elevator door closing on his dead body. Such craft, such art has yet to be equaled in any rabid-monkey-related film. Friends, do yourself a favor, watch "Shakma" and be prepared for a life-changing experience.

...ok, maybe not the $$$$ at the box office. Let's face it Christopher Atkins and D & D was not a box office grabber in 1990 either. Shakma is a lot like drinking stout or maybe even scotch. It get's better after each viewing (or maybe it gets better after drinking scotch). OK, this film is really bad in many ways. But because I have fond memories of getting loaded with my old buddies while watching a crazed baboon beat against various objects it goes down as one of my top bad movies. Come on, just the name alone should put a grin on your face. Say it...SHAKMA. Keep on saying Shakma over and over. There is nothing that makes me happier then walking into a room, saying "Shakma" and having everyone laugh in agreement. Pass this on and maybe one day everyone will know what Shakma really means...

When I saw that movie a few years ago it totally freaked me out. Which is surprising, as I had thought I had become immune to horror movies. I am surprised the movie got such a bad score, because for me it totally worked. Watch at night, alone.....

In a flagrant breach of health and safety regulations (and flying in the face of common sense), professor Sorenson (Roddy McDowall, not playing an ape for a change) locks the external doors to the college, trapping himself and a handful of his students inside the building while they play a real-life fantasy role-playing game (with the use of a hilariously crap computer, tracking devices and walkie-talkies). Their fun is interrupted by a crazed lab baboon called Shakma, whose brain has been fried by an experimental serum.

Who knew that a baboon - not much bigger than an average sized dog - could be so butt-clenchingly scary? Shakma, directed by Hugh Parks and Tom Logan, starts off on shaky ground, the nerds playing their silly game proving rather boring, but once the angry ape shows up to spoil the evening, the film proves surprisingly terrifying thanks to a standout performance from Typhoon the baboon. Crazier than Nic Cage on cocaine, the hairy horror gives his all, screeching loudly, crashing wildly against doors, leaping onto victim's faces, and generally being one incredibly fearsome furry fellow.

With a willingness to bump off any character, no matter how likeable, a smattering of gore (the baboon goes mad with jaws and claws and likes to eat his victims), and an unpredictable ending, Shakma is a solidly entertaining B-movie - so much so that it's easy to forgive the clichéd cat scare (and rat scare).