I'd like to preface this review by noting that I do not know Addison Binek personally. Also, this is the first review of a movie I've ever drafted, so cut me some slack. Anyhow, I became familiar with his work through his "Movies to Watch on a Rainy Afternoon" and "Tromasterpiece Theatre." Both of which pay homage to B movies à la "Mystery Science Theater 3000."
Having riffed so many bad movies, it seems only natural to me that Binek would then try his hand at creating a movie that could be accurately described as "amazingly terrible,"
....and so "Psycho Ape" was born.
This film features legitimate actors such as Troma Institute for Gifted Youth inductee Kansas Bowling and Upright Citizens Brigade alum Bill Weeden, who, from the beginning, obviously had shared Binek's vision to craft a seriously bad flick...or bad flick seriously...uhhh...hmmm.
Let's try that again.
It's obvious that Binek did not seek to create a cinematic masterpiece. Rather, this was a salute to those B horror movies from the 70s and 80s, which have since established cult followings, and Binek accomplished this mission masterfully. As teenagers, my friends and I would set aside a weekend, head to the local video store, and rent the worst horror movies we could find. We then spent it both riffing on and admiring the "badness" of each. Had Psycho Ape been released then, it would have easily become one of our favorites.
This movie is chock full of what any cheesy horror film aficionado would want to see: bad special effects, a hilarious, meandering plot, and Easter eggs galore. You need to watch this movie at least 7 times to catch all the references (and this is half of the fun). The movie is an entertaining ride that had me laughing hysterically and admiring Binek's vision for a serious horror movie that doesn't take itself seriously.
Get ready for an entertaining film that is assembled like a Smile-era Beach Boys album.
Kudos to Binek, Bowling, and Weeden for taking us on such a fun ride. Even my wife, who abhors horror movies, thought it was great.
