Project X *** (1987, Matthew Broderick, Helen Hunt, William Sadler, Willie) Classic Movie Review 10,031

Matthew Broderick gets up to monkey business in Jonathan Kaplan’s 1987 sci-fi comedy thriller Project X.

Matthew Broderick’s follow-up to his big hit Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) went straight to video in Britain after modest box-office in the US, but director Jonathan Kaplan’s 1987 sci-fi comedy thriller Project X is worth anybody’s time.

Broderick plays young military man Jimmy Garrett, an American Air Force pilot who operates a secret US Air Force project to use monkeys to test flight simulators, but he soon becomes fond of Virgil the chimpanzee (played by Willie), with whom he can communicate by sign language.

Helen Hunt plays graduate student Teri MacDonald, who has trained Virgil to use the sign language. but is forced to sell him after her research grant is not renewed, and is assigned to help Jimmy to care for the chimpanzees.

Project X is slightly underpowered and corny, but it is a likeable fantasy film with enough suspense and animal interest – and Broderick gives a personable portrayal that cements the film together.

Also in the cast are Helen Hunt, William Sadler [Bill Sadler], Johnny Ray McGhee, Jonathan Stark, Robin Gammell, Stephen Lang, Jean Smart, Dick Miller, Chuck Bennett, Daniel Roebuck, Mark Harden, Duncan Wilmore and Swede Johnson.

Project X is directed by Jonathan Kaplan, runs 108 minutes, is made by Amercent Films, American Entertainment Partners LP, Parkes/ Lasker Productions, is released by 20th Century Fox, is written by Stanley Weiser, based on a story by Stanley Weiser and Lawrence Lasker, is shot by Dean Cundey, is produced by Walter F Parkes and Lawrence Lasker, is scored by James Horner and is designed by Lawrence G Paull.

It cost $18 million and grossed $21 million worldwide.

Willie retired to the Primarily Primates wildlife refuge in Bexar County, Texas, along with Harry, who plays his girlfriend.

The producers were accused of animal cruelty by an animal rights-supporter game show host but the American Humane Association, which advised during the production, filed a defamation lawsuit, which was settled by the TV personality’s insurance company in 1994.

© Derek Winnert 2020 Classic Movie Review 10,031

Check out more reviews on http://derekwinnert.com