Reviewed by: Joe Russo (Film Critic & SoSF Contributor)
“Meet Dave”
Actors: Richard Cerenzio, John Gatins, Kevin Hart, Floyd Levine, Rob Moran
Format: AC-3, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: English
Subtitles: English, French, Spanish
Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
Number of discs: 1
Rating: PG
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Release Date: November 25, 2008
Run Time: 90 minutes
“Space Chimps”
Actors: Jeff Daniels, Jane Lynch, Stanley Tucci, Patrick Warburton, Kenan Thompson
Directors: Kirk De Micco, Norton Virgien, Donovan Cook
Format: AC-3, Animated, Color, Dolby, Dubbed, Subtitled, Widescreen
Language: English
Subtitles: English, Spanish
Number of discs: 1
Rating: PG
Studio: 20th Century Fox
DVD Release Date: November 25, 2008
Run Time: 81 minutes
Russo Rating: “Space Chimps” 5/10, “Meet Dave” 4/10
It’s no industry secret that Fox had a rough summer. While their films weren’t awful by any means, their crop paled in comparison to other studio’s summer blockbusters that audiences seemed eager to plop their money down for. Now on DVD and BluRay, two of Fox’s biggest summer offerings street just in time for Thanksgiving in hopes that families around the country will gather around for some turkey and some science fiction.
“Space Chimps” pits up-and-coming chimpanzee, Ham III, on a crash course mission to save a wayward spacecraft. When Ham and his companions, Lieutenant Luna and Titan, realize that their rescue mission was never intended to return to Earth, the three chimps embark on a fantastic voyage through space, arriving just in time to help a distant planet fight against an evil dictator.
In “Meet Dave”, Eddie Murphy once again portrays multiple characters in an imaginative premise. The captain of a unique spacecraft, Dave (Murphy), heads a quest to Earth in search of a missing orb, accompanied by a crew of aliens one inch tall. Their vessel of choice? A six-foot replica of their captain designed to help the passengers assimilate with life on Earth.
Though it is visually dazzling, the story in “Space Chimps” leaves a bit to be desired. While it might seem like an original concept to see chimps flying through space, the film feels like a retread. Perhaps it is just computer animation exhaustion, but “Space Chimps” seems highly unimaginative, especially on the heels of
“WALL-E”. Adults should be able to stomach the picture, which is almost guaranteed to entertain younger viewers.
Even with its unique premise, “Meet Dave” feels as tired as Eddie Murphy’s career. Disappointing in execution, it is no surprise that Brian Robbins, who teamed with Murphy for the slum of his career, “Norbit”, is at the helm of “Meet Dave”. Costars Scott Caan and Elizabeth Banks help the movie rise above its mediocrity.
While “Space Chimps” offers little in the way of special features, next to nothing is better than a handful of generic extras. “Meet Dave” includes some generic gag reels and deleted scenes featuring Eddie Murphy giving Steve Martin a run for his money as the most disappointing SNL veteran of all time. Both discs offer dazzling picture and audio though, especially “Space Chimps”, which seemingly pops off the screen in 1080p.
Though Fox Home Entertainment did a great job packaging these discs technically speaking, both “Space Chimps” and “Meet Dave” are hardly worth more then a rental. However, families looking for additional, though quickly forgettable, entertainment to bring them together this holiday season might just find that in the latest BluRay discs from Fox.
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