Psycho Ape! (2020) by Addison Binek


Director: Addison Binek
Year: 2020
Country: USA
Alternate Titles: N/A
Genre: Creature Feature; Horror/Comedy

Plot:
After escaping from a zoo, a murderous gorilla begins a blood-soaked rampage killing everyone he comes across until he meets a young girl with an affinity for apes and they run off together, drawing a biologist hunting the creature onto their trail.

Review:

This was a highly enjoyable and goofy genre effort. The overwhelming goofiness and silly attitude on display here is the determining factor for this one, as the entire thing is obviously taken as a joke for fun. From the one-liners about breaking the fourth wall and being aware of what type of film this is, the hilariously fake and over-the-top death scenes and the utter hilarity of the storyline which consists of excuses to make ape puns or confrontations with the ape on city streets, it's all quite cheesy and ridiculous.

That also applies to the general setup of the humor here, which goes for the exact kind of silliness expected here. When kept to practical effects, the idea of bananas used as knives to slit throats, stab others in the head, slice off appendages which are shown to be mannequin parts quite obviously to deliberately mocking and spoofing anything they can using the shaggy ape costume as the cause of everything. Including low-rent CGI for everything from blood-splatter to the backgrounds and marijuana smoke, this one manages to be utterly hilarious at times.

Of course, the nature and style here won't be for everyone who will look at the opening text scroll or the antics at the slumber party as cues for what's in store and bail. The comedy, antics and production style are tipped off that early and easily making it clear what's going on which might be too much for some to take. Moreover, the fact that this one seems to abandon the relationship for long stretches as it focuses on dispensing the kills only to bring them back rather hastily in the second act is a little jarring. It's not much, though, and is all this really has wrong with it.


Overview: ***.5/5
A truly hilarious and goofy old-school throwback effort that deliberately goes for that tone throughout which won't be for everyone's taste quite obviously, for those that like this the film will be an absolute blast. Immediately go for this one is the style, approach or tone are appreciated or just looking for a fun, silly monster movie while all others should steer way clear of this one.

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