Project X (1987)

User Rating:

5.7/10   

Director:

Jonathan Kaplan

Writers:

Lawrence Lasker (story)
Stanley Weiser (screenplay)

Release Date:

17 April 1987 (USA)

Genre:

Comedy | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

Tagline:

When the Air Force assigned Jimmy Garrett to a top secret project, he didn't know what he was in for. Neither did they.

Plot:

A young inductee into the military is given the task of looking after some chimpanzees used in the mysterious "Project X"...

Plot Keywords:

Project | Chimpanzee | Military | Nuclear Accident | Radiation

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Willie	...	Virgil
Okko	...	Goofy
Karanja	...	Goliath
Luke	...	Bluebeard
Harry	...	Ginger
Arthur	...	Winston
Clafu	...	Spike
Lucy	...	Razzberry
Lulu	...	Ethel
Mousie	...	New recruit
Matthew Broderick	...	Jimmy Garrett
Helen Hunt	...	Teri
William Sadler	...	Dr. Carroll (as Bill Sadler)
Johnny Ray McGhee	...	Robertson
Jonathan Stark	...	Sgt. Krieger

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English | American Sign Language

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Iceland:L | Australia:PG | Finland:K-12/9 | UK:PG | USA:PG

Company:

Amercent Films

Goofs:

Continuity: When Virgil is working with Teri in the University Dept. of Psychology he wants to play so he sets the hands of the clock to 4:20. The next time we see the clock it's set to 9:10.

Quotes:

[last lines]
Teri: You're free. Go on. Go on.

Soundtrack:

You Baby You

It's All About Us As The Self-Styled `Lords Of Creation'

Yes, I agree with all the other positive comments posted on this film; it is a remarkable triumph that not only redeems our emotional sensibilities but makes us again realise that the unquestioning acceptance of `intellectualism' as the yardstick by which everything must be measured, has made us damn and paralyze one of the best parts of our being. With the rise of contemporary secularism, (and, so no one should misunderstand me, I write as an atheist), we have allowed science to become our replacement religion; seems like mankind just has to have something to `worship', but in doing this, we have, (just as we did before with religion), sanctioned diabolical cruelties against sentient beings, whether human or animal, in its name.

As Bernard Shaw, (and, by default, this movie) reminded us, the arguments used to justify vivisection are those which can be used to justify ANY atrocity, and PROJECT X rekindles that spark of humane compassion that materialism and self-regard have almost eradicated from our consciousness with their constant bombardment of `rational', dictatorial, and authoritarian notions. `We mustn't be emotional about these things' the `intellectual' and the `scientist' will retort, but why not?! Why not give animal beings the benefit of the doubt, if for one second there actually were any?

PROJECT X is a modern parable in both ethics and attitude; a powerful indictment of our misuse of animal beings. Mankind can't have it both ways; if, as the scientist argues, evolution is the means, then it is wrong to deny the opportunities this process bestows, (and which have so benefited us), to other species. If it is not the means, as the religionist argues, then it's simply a question of blasphemy, because these people assume rights which are actually denied them in Genesis.

A most worthy film which is well worth watching more than once, and a reminder that love and compassion can also be powerful agents of subversion!