Psycho Ape Part II: The Wrath of Kong (2024) by Addison Binek and Greg DeLiso

Director: Addison Binek, Greg DeLiso

Year: 2024

Country: USA

Alternate Titles: N/A

Genre: Creature Feature; Horror/Comedy

Plot:

After being released from prison, the gorilla returns to his friend and former foe who have entered into a relationship together and joins them in trying to adjust to normal life, but when a crime spree paints him as the main suspect forces the ape to turn to his friends to find the culprit responsible.

Review:

This was a pretty enjoyable effort with a lot to like. The whale thing is based on the absurd level of cheese and humor presented here as the film never fails to offer up references, homepages, or outright spoofs of scenes or concepts it’s so silly and absurd to go through the numerous gags throughout here offering up takes on numerous other films, pop culture moments, and TV shows with a winking nod that comes off as the entre purpose due to how the interactions come off as not only does the physical gag make reference to what it’s referencing but then the characters make pointedly on-the-nose quips about the situation that has a highly bizarre tone to it. The sketch comedy approach rapidly transitioning to another gag or spoof sequence makes everything flow together quite well at the beginning.

While the focus on goofiness and silly antics works in its favor for those who enjoy this brand of comedy, the setup and approach here might also be just as much of a turn-off for those who don’t enjoy this particular style. With the loosely structured feel looks like it’s improvised on the spot with the way they come off, breaking the fourth wall by having the crew direct the actors in the scene how it’s supposed to come off during the sequence, and the slew of meta jokes which all either help the sense of humor present or just wear on the viewer to the point of exhaustion and frustration. The low-budget look and feel might also be problematic since it never allows for the carnage that took place in the original by going for the elaborate jokes, but for those who don’t mind the style, it won’t be as big of a deal.

Overview: ***.5/5

A generally fun follow-up that has some personal reference issues to get through, this will be absolutely just as much of a personal preference film as the original due to the type of content and approach featured here. Those with a tolerance for this type of film or are fans of the creative crew will have a lot to like here while those turned off by its choices might want to heed caution with the film.