Blu-ray: Space Chimps
Space Chimps, monkeys in space
Forgotten space chimps rescue the space agency - 4 Stars ****
By Gabrielle Pantera
HOLLYWOOD, CA (Hollywood Today) 11/27/2008 - “What I liked most about the script was probably the space part,” says Space Chimps star Andy Samberg. “…and the chimp part. I would say of my many totem spirits, chimp is definitely one of them, so I’m pretty much interested in any project that involves chimps, whether that means actually working with real chimps in the forest or pretending to be one with my voice. I also am a big fan of space.”
Space Chips is the animated adventure story of the chimpanzee Ham III and the forgotten chimp space program. Although they never fly a mission, the space chimps continue to train for the day they’ll return to space. That day comes when a space probe falls into a wormhole. Can a team of elite chimps retrieve it?
“I’m Ham III, the grandson of Ham, the original space chimp,” says Samberg. “This Ham’s a little down-and-out, although he doesn’t think of it that way. He’s working at the circus, getting shot out of a cannon. And when the Space Agency loses one of its very expensive satellites, they need to send someone after it through a wormhole. Since it’s too dangerous to send humans, they recruit Ham because he’s a big name in the chimp world of space travel.”
“My character, Lieutenant Luna, is second in command on this mission,” says Space Chimps star Cheryl Hines. “She’s very proud that she gets to go. Then Luna and Ham see sparks, as you often do when you’re stuck in a spaceship or on a new planet with someone.”
“My background is sketch comedy,” says Hines. “I think it’s very helpful to have an improv background for animation, especially when you’re doing comedy. It keeps you loose and it keeps you on your toes. If somebody has a suggestion, you can try it right away without having to step outside and rewrite it. You can just try a few different things and whatever’s funny, they’ll use.”
“I play Kilowatt, a creature from space, says Space Chimps star Kristin Chenoweth. “I really didn’t do a lot of research because of the space aspect of it and the alien aspect of it. She’s this precious little thing that has a big head, a huge head. I picture her as maybe green and she does have light around her. She’s got a great heart.”
“I was able to create some interesting sounds for the character,” says Chenoweth. “I did a lot of my own vocal warm-ups as my character. My background is in opera and I’m a singer. So I started thinking of some of the vocal exercises that we did when I was taking voice. My teacher would always say, “Let’s do the siren,” and that ended up in the movie. And Kilowatt goes to just a flat-out high C when she’s nervous or scared or excited.”
I just love Kilowatt so much because she really does have a good heart,” says Chenoweth. “I view her a little bit as the heart of the show because it is her story. She’s not the lead but it’s about helping each other. And I think that’s the greater message in a world in which that’s not what’s forefront on our minds. This movie is truly about community, as silly as it sounds. And that’s one of the reasons that I love her, and it, so much.”
Titan is the alpha male chimp. “Commander Titan has been an astronaut for many, many years,” ways Space Chimps star Patrick Warburton. “And then here comes this chimp, Ham, who’s nothing but trouble, a circus freak. He doesn’t have much respect for Ham in the beginning, but they eventually become a team and they get a lot accomplished together.”
“Titan’s a pretty much no-nonsense kind of guy,” says Warburton. “In real life, I get bossed around a lot. I have four kids and four dogs and a wife. That’s nine and I’m pretty much at the bottom of the food chain. But gosh darn it, Titan is the commander of the ship. Actually, he’s always pretty much losing control. He thinks he’s in control, but he’s not. Just like a daddy.”
“I know Kirk De Micco and Barry, the great Barry Sonnenfeld, from other projects,” says Warburton. “Barry and I did a show together called The Tick years ago, which is just about the most fun I’ve ever had in my life. I can’t say that wearing the blue suit was all that much fun, but I got to be the Tick, which was just this fantastic character. So it’s great to get to be working with Barry again after a few years.”
In Space Chimps, Ham is recalled from the circus to be pushed through the space chimps program. He joins Lieutenant Luna and Commander Titan in a daring mission to another planet. Eventually, despite his clowning, Ham shows he’s got the right stuff. There’s romance and the many strange creatures to make this movie a fun and enjoyable way to spend time with your family. Although it’s for kids, parents will laugh, too.
The animation is not to the standard of Pixar or DreamWorks, but it’s a noticeable improvement over Valiant. Fun for young kids and appropriate for all age groups.
There are a number of funny lines puns that are part of the script. Space Chimps presents a good message: don’t underestimate your abilities. Great to add to your video collection for the kids to watch any time.
Director: Kirk De Micco
Starring: Andy Samberg, Cheryl Hines, Kenan Thompson, Stanley Tucci
Rated G
Format: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1
Number of discs: 1
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Release Date: November 25, 2008
Run Time: 81 minutes