Synopsis
Jack is supposed to accompany his chimpanzee family and human minder to Mexico, but amix-up at the airport puts him on the wrong plane, and he winds up in Colorado. There hebefriends the new kid in town, and they become snowboarding champions together. Lessons offriendship are learned by all, amid rigidly carboard performances and lackluster comedy. Theanthropomorphisation of Jack and the other chimps reaches such an extreme level that it wouldbe disturbing if the film were…’t so dull.
Audio
The sound is crisp and clear, but not very exciting, and this is a film that could use any kindof energy. There is very little by way of surround action, either by way of sound effects or music(especially when the music should be pumping us up). The best, most full sound is on the PeopleAnd Chimps Together promo.
Video
The aspect ratio is 1.33:1, but this is obviously direct-to-video (painfully so), and so it is veryunlikely that the picture was modified. The colours are cheerful and bright, and the image is verysharp, so chimp fans will be delighted on this count. There is no noticeable edge enhancement orgrain. A solid transfer.
Special Features
Yawn. The extras are almost all by-the-numbers promotion: a standard-issue making-offeaturette (“Monkey Business”), which at least does show how the snowboarding scenes weredone; outtakes; a music video with unexciting sound; a snowboarding game where you have topush the right button to see Jack safely down the slope; an ad for PACT; and trailers forMXP and a handful of other recent Disney releases. The menu is basic.
Closing Thoughts
The hamfisted approach makes me think of the badly dubbed Swedish TV programs of myyouth. Depressing.
Special Features List
- Making-of Featurette
- Snowboarding Game
- Outtakes
- Music Video
- PACT Promo
- Trailers
