Brendan Fraser’s Funniest Comedy Is A Dark Raunchy Fantasy New Fans Can’t Find
Around the time Brendan Fraser was captivating audiences with his roles in “Bedazzled” and “The Mummy Returns,” he also starred in a lesser-known film called “Monkeybone.” Despite its potential, featuring a star-studded cast and a renowned director, the movie didn’t quite hit the mark.
In “Monkeybone,” Fraser plays Stuart “Stu” Miley, a cartoonist famous for his eccentric creation, a crude yet humorous monkey named Monkeybone. This character represents Stu’s darker thoughts as he navigates adulthood.
At the start of the film, things are looking up for Stu. His cartoon character is set to become an animated series, complete with merchandise. With everything falling into place, he plans to propose to his girlfriend. However, a car crash leaves him in a coma, landing him in a bizarre place called Down Town, accompanied by Monkeybone. To wake up, Stu must obtain an Exit Pass, but he’s not the only one vying for a body.
“Monkeybone” blends live-action with stop-motion animation and is loosely based on the graphic novel “Dark Town” by Kaja Blackley. The cast includes notable names like Bridget Fonda, Chris Kattan, Giancarlo Esposito, Rose McGowan, Whoopi Goldberg, and John Turturro. Despite this impressive lineup, the film was a box-office bomb upon its 2001 release, receiving negative reviews for its visuals, humor, and characters. It holds a 20% critic score and a 27% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Directed by Henry Selick, known for hits like “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” “James and the Giant Peach,” and “Coraline,” “Monkeybone” was expected to be a success. Selick later explained in an interview with Double Toasted that the film’s failure was partly due to a lack of publicity. He believed that with some advertising, the movie could have performed better.
Despite its poor reception, “Monkeybone” has its moments of charm and humor. Fans of dark, twisted comedies might find it reminiscent of “Beetlejuice.” The film’s chaotic Down Town, survival struggles, and quirky characters make it an interesting watch. However, finding “Monkeybone” can be challenging. It’s not available on major streaming platforms, but it can be rented on Amazon Prime Video.
Brendan Fraser’s role in “Monkeybone” showcases his versatility as an actor, blending comedy with dark fantasy elements. While the film didn’t achieve mainstream success, it has garnered a cult following over the years. New fans discovering Fraser’s work might find “Monkeybone” a hidden gem worth exploring.
