Talk about zany. I mean really. This movie goes all over the place. With animation sequences reminiscent of Nightmare Before Christmas (and for good reason since the director is the same fabulous dude) the movie will make you wish it had gone a little farther.
A cautious cartoonist (Brendan Fraser) who is on the brink of proposing to his Sleep Doctor girlfriend (Fonda) is thrown into a coma after a rather humorous car accident involving a compact car, large inflated monkey, and a certain Kids in the Hall star (Dave Foley).
Inside his coma he's plunged into a nightmarish little world called "Downtown" where he sees creatures rivaling the patrons of the Mos Eisley Cantina. Here he meets up with his own cartoony creation Monkeybone. Monkeybone stems from Frasier's sexual fantasies and acts them out accordingly.
Fraser and Monkeybone embark on an adventure to steal an "Exit pass" from Death (Whoopi Goldberg, how fitting) so Frasier can go back to the land of the non-comatose. Unfortunately for him, Monkeybone is a cheeky monkey. Monkeybone steals the pass and uses it to go to the real world in his creator's body. Let the hijinx begin!
Monkeybone/Fraser revamps the life of the cartoonist turning into a glutton for media attention over the upcoming in-film "Monkeybone" cartoon series. The impostor goes on to act out of character leading Ms. Fonda to realize something has gone horribly wrong in bringing her Beau out of the coma.
In order to win back his body, Frasier makes a deal with death and returns to reality inhabiting the body of dead olympian Chris Kattan. The Chris Kattan segment is quite enjoyable, a fun little chase scene where the organ donor doctors are picking up the slack (intestinal and otherwise) from Fraser's new body as he runs home and then to the gala where the movie\'s events come to a close. The Organ Donor doctors are led by Bob Odenkirk of Mr. Show fame who does a hilarious job of making the chase scene nothing short of fantastic.
Did you get all that? No? Yes? The movie is worth taking a look at as Brendan Fraser is as good as he usually is and Bridget Fonda seems to work well, though I feel she "slummed" for this movie. The story is original and the cameos are extremely well done. If you need a fun weekend movie, this is your bag.
As for technical jargon, the stop-motion animation is a little bit out of date, but the memories of Nightmare Before Christmas that it evokes make the experience worthwhile. Oh, and did I mention Whoopi Goldberg plays "Death"? that's not enough for you people?
DVD Bonus Features
They include an audio commentary, gallery stills, extended scenes, and whathaveyou.
Delightful...simply delightful. If you're looking for a movie to entertain your vast superior intellect...steer clear.
"Monkeybone" is on sale February 23, 2001 and is rated PG13. Comedy. Directed by Henry Selick. Written by Kaja Blackley (inspired by) and Sam Hamm (screen). Starring Brendan Fraser, Bridget Fonda, John Turturro, Rose McGowan.
