Dunston Checks In

I don't know about being better than Monkey Trouble, however it is UP THERE. "DCI" better known as Dunston Checks In, is by far one of the best movies ever. We all know monkeys have a special place in our hearts but Dunston manages to steal EVERYONES hearts, criminals and mean people alike. He gets in this silliest predicaments and can make a mess of anything! (But hey that's what monkeys do, right?) Anyways, at the movie-renting place (am I allowed to type Blockbuster?) tonight I was very tempted to rent this film, however, I had to stick with Baby's Day Out. But DCI has my vote for sure next movie night. To sum it up, if monkeys could speak, they'd be hollering "DCI!" for years to come.

I generally enjoy movies featuring orangutans and other primates, and this is perhaps my all-time favorite monkey film. The on-screen dynamics between Jason Alexander and Dunston are not only hilarious but a truly a work of perfect casting. I strongly urgre all of you to rent this opus.

When I tell people this is one of my favorite movies, they look at me as though I'm nuts. Okay, Citizen Kane it ain't, but even after repeat viewings I still laugh out loud. Pure escapism; who hasn't wanted to have an entire luxury hotel as a private playground? The "villains" are larger than life (terribly polite Rupert Everett as the monkey-abusing jewel thief, plus Faye Dunaway all but waving a wire hanger as the ultimate Evil Boss), the kids are cute without being gooey, and Jason Alexander does a good job as the hotel manager, playing it straight but enjoying the ride (the long climactic scene, with a mano-a-mano fight in the hotel kitchen, is the closest thing to a live cartoon). Hiss as mean Lord Rutledge threatens the monkey! Cheer as the fat guy falls on top of a frosting-smeared Dunaway! Laugh as the crazy red ape dresses up in lingerie and blows kisses at himself!

This is the sort of light caper that is nothing special but does provide some harmless fun for kids who will undoubtedly get more of a kick out of an Orangutan's shenanigans than an adult will--although there are some very clever moments that fill the bill for young and old. JASON Alexander is expert as a hotel manager with two bratty kids who seem to have nothing better to do than make mischief as they cavort around the hotel with an unexpected guest. Seems that a jewel thief (RUPERT EVERETT) has checked in with his pet who's been trained to steal. This sets up the structure of the plot which has the kids and the Orangutan as the main focus of attention. It's fun to see FAYE DUNAWAY enjoying herself in a comic role and everyone else enters nicely into the spirit of the whole thing. Easy to take and passes the time quickly with a few very clever moments among the many vignettes involving some cute stunts.

Watched this with three of my nephews, aged 11, 9 and 7. By the end only the 9 year old and I were left, the others wandered off due to extreme lack of interest. The movie starts out okay enough. Actually I was ready to settle in for a good movie, it had all the makings. But, again, by the end it loses anything it had going for it. The children were not endearing enough, the actors are trying hard but failing and the only thing that is consistently good is the production design. Every set is gorgeous, and since you never leave the hotel at all, that is at least something to ponder when the action is less than noteworthy. Either Faye Dunaway likes working all the time, or owes the taxman big time, but either way she was supposed to turn down this movie. Kathleen Turner could have done it just as well and since most of her recent career moves have been mediocre, at best, no one would have noticed. I did wince a little at the sight of Bonnie Parker getting a piece of cake in the face. Jason Alexander, Rupert Everett & Pee Wee do not muster up much laughter. But poor Glen Shadix gets it worse than anyone, except for the audience.

Dunston Checks In (1996): Dir: Ken Kwapis / Cast: Eric Lloyd, Jason Alexander, Rupert Everett, Faye Dunaway, Paul Reubens: Ridiculous family film about an orangutan forced to steal for its ruthless owner at a hotel. Since Dunston is an orangutan it is indicated that certain mischief checks into the hotel. One thing that definitely didn't check in was a decent screenwriter. The title symbolizes behaviour although Dunston means well. He encounters a boy who happens to be the son of the manager. Everything must go smoothly because an unnamed visitor is evaluating the hotel. When priceless items are stolen Dunston is blamed and an exterminator is summoned. Unoriginal concept with repetitious storytelling before certain identities are revealed in the climax. Characters are basically props for Dunston's antics. Among the cast are Eric Lloyd as the boy who befriends Dunston and gets in trouble. Jason Alexander as his father is total cardboard. Rupert Everett as the thief is a letdown considering that he is more talented than this juvenile junk. Faye Dunaway is the biggest disappointment seeing that she has won an Oscar and this is the thanks she receives. Paul Reubens was in on the joke when he played Pee Wee Herman. Here as an exterminator he is the bunt of a career joke blunder. Director Ken Kwapis references old style films but this is forgettable family fluff. Score: 3 / 10