Shakma

If you have never seen the unrestrained, unreasoning fury of an enraged baboon, brace yourself.

Watching Shakma, I started out thinking, "Well, he's just a little monkey, it's not like he's a tiger or a snake or something," but after seeing Typhoon throw himself (quite literally) into the role of Shakma, I reconsidered the destructive capabilities of the primate chassis.

Shakma is a many-armed frenzy of horror and doom, and this movie is absolutely worthwhile if only for that awe-inspiring display.

The acting's a little thin, and there are a few scenes that'll really make you roll your eyes, but if you get a chance to see this movie for under $5, take it. You won't be sorry.

...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...

You are currently reading about an excellent (see: totally ridiculous) Saturday morning monster movie starring Amanda "Tina from A Nightmare on Elm St." Wyss and Christopher "Blue Lagoon" Atkins (among others). Sounds like a terrible movie, so why do you love it mickeyshamrock? Well, aside from the typical "so bad it's good" moments, and my raging hard on for Amanda Wyss, the baboon footage is insane. I've never seen anything like it. Shakma (aka Typhoon) literally goes ape sh*t every take. Every time the baboon is on camera it elevates this movie beyond it's B-movie shackles. Definitely to be watched in one sitting, breaking it up will only expose some of it's faults. Turn off your mind and get ready for some ape-tastic surprises.

Professor Sorenson (Roddy McDowall) and his assistant, Sam (Christopher Atkins) are working on an experimental brain serum to reduce aggression. Upon injecting it into a baboon named SHAKMA, it goes berserk in the lab, causing Sorenson to order Sam to put the creature down. Inexplicably, Sam decides against the idea, and SHAKMA escapes, slaughtering all of the other research animals in the process.

Now, with the hyper-energized creature on the loose, no one is safe. This is made far worse, due to the fact that Sorenson's students have been locked in the building for a treasure hunt game! Everyone is in for a long, bloody night.

This isn't a bad horror movie, though it's fairly obvious where it's headed from the beginning. Personally, I find baboons to be scary as hell anyway, so, this works for me!

Co-stars Amanda Wyss as Tracy...

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.....