Space Chimps [Blu-ray]

Director: Kirk De Micco

Overview

Jeff Daniels, Stanley Tucci, Cheryl Hines, and Andy Samberg lend their voices to this computer-animated comedy following the descendants of the first chimps in space as they blast off for fun and adventure on a far-away planet. Ham III (Samberg) is the grandson of Ham, the first-ever chimp astronaut. This ne'er-do-well chimp may not be the most qualified ape for the job, but a scheming senator (Tucci) has recruited him for a most dangerous mission. It seems that a powerful tyrant (Daniels) has overtaken an alien world, and now it's up to Ham III and his trusty simian crew (Hines and Patrick Warburton) to help overthrow the deep-space despot. Perhaps with some training from Ham III's mentor (Kenan Thompson) and the help of a friendly alien (Kristin Chenoweth) this fearless group of anthropoids can make the universe a safer place for aliens and humans alike.

Product Details

Release Date:	11/25/2008
UPC:	0024543546757
Original Release:	2008
Rating:	G
Source:	20th Century Fox
Region Code:	A
Presentation:	[Wide Screen]
Sound:	[Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround, DTS 5.1-Channel Surround Sound]
Language:	English
Time:	1:21:00
Sales rank:	44,198

Special Features

Fox Movie Channel presents casting session; Still gallery; TV spots

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Andy Samberg	Ham
Kenan Thompson	Ringmaster
Omid Abtahi	Dr. Jagu,Dr. Jagu (voce)
Cheryl Hines	Luna
Patrick Warburton	Titan
Jeff Daniels	Zartog
Kristin Chenoweth	Kilowatt
Stanley Tucci	Senator
Carlos Alazraqui	Houston
Zack Shada	Comet,Nava Boy / Comet
Patrick Breen	Dr. Bob
Jane Lynch	Dr. Poole
Kath Soucie	Dr. Smothers
Wally Wingert	Voices
Jessica Gee	Voices
Tom Kenny	Ham
Jessica Gee-George	Voices
Curtis Augspurger	Voices
Jess Harnell	Voices
Ellie Harvie	Voices
Eliza Bayne	Voices
Chris Bacon	Composer,Composer
Dave Stewart	Composer

Technical Credits

Kirk De Micco

Rob Moreland

Joe Piscatella

Jason Mayland

Kirk De Micco	Screenwriter
Rob Moreland	Screenwriter,Screenwriter
John H. Williams	Producer
Barry Sonnenfeld	Producer
Joe Piscatella	Screenwriter
Jason Mayland	Screenwriter
Eric M. Bennett	Executive Producer,Producer
Morris Berger	Executive Producer,Producer
Louise Goodsill	Executive Producer
Marc English	Special Effects
Curtis Augspurger	Producer
Neil Braun	Executive Producer
Steve Brown	Executive Producer
John Hyde	Executive Producer
Jerry Davis	Executive Producer

Editorial Reviews

At first glance, Space Chimps seems like the kind of fake title you'd find in a parody of the movie industry; an absurd adjective
oun combo that somehow spells "commercial hit" (Beverly Hills Chihuahua, for example). But this animated feature reminds viewers that chimpanzees did indeed play a role in the history of the American space program, and Space Chimps is a reasonable way to channel that history into a viable kids' movie, one that could probably entertain the occasional adult as well. Credentials bolstered by producers Barry Sonnenfeld and John H. Williams (the Shrek movies), Space Chimps imagines what it would be like if primate astronauts took a sentient involvement in one of their missions, albeit in a way only known to each other. SNL cast member Andy Samberg voices the daredevil grandson of the first chimp astronaut -- essentially, the simian version of his character from Hot Rod -- who spends his time cracking wise and getting shot out of cannons at the circus. It's a pretty standard setup, as his aptly named Ham must mature into the hero he discovers he can be, while flirting with his female co-pilot (voiced by Cheryl Hines) and butting heads with his blowhard male co-pilot (Patrick Warburton, doing at least his 73rd animated voice-over). Samberg's a pretty hip choice to play the lead, and through his improvisations and some bits of clever self-awareness in director Kirk De Micco's script, Space Chimps avoids slipping into the realm of mere diversion intended for babies. However, the alien planet where the chimps spend most of their time is a little low-rent, its aliens overly colorful and cutesy, so Space Chimps can't exactly be called a full adult crossover either. What it is -- better than it could have been -- is probably good enough.