MONKEYBONE, directed by Henry Selick (JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH, THE NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS), is a fantasy adventure that combines live action, stop motion, claymation miniatures, puppets, and computer imaging. Monkeybone is a cartoon character created by a successful comic book illustrator named Stu Miley (Brendan Fraser). (He wears a coat with the tag S. Miley, which is a good hint at the film's brand of pun-filled humor.) On the night that Stu is going to propose marriage to his girlfriend, Julie (Bridget Fonda), a freak accident throws him into a coma. Though he appears unconscious, lying in a hospital bed, he is actually having the strangest experience of his lifetime inside his own head. Trapped in a bizarre amusement park called Downtown, the land where nightmares are stored, Stu comes face to face with a living version of the small, mischievous Monkeybone (a stop-action paraffin sculpture voiced by John Turturro). The other inhabitants of Downtown are either part-humans like the seductive cat woman, Kitty (Rose McGowan) and the mysterious face of Death (Whoopi Goldberg), or beasts--Cyclops, Minotaurs, and Centaurs. While dodging obstacles from his own nightmares, Stu strives to break out of his coma and return to his true love. Little does he know, Monkeybone has plans of his own.
Theatrical release: February 23, 2001.
The film was originally entitled DARK TOWN and is based on the comic book of that title written by Kaja Blackley.
MONKEYBONE is the furthest into the live-action realm that director Henry Selick has ever delved.
Selick experimented with the main character being a weasel or a frog before settling on a monkey.
DVD Features:
Region 1
Keep Case
Special Edition
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Letterbox - 1.85
Audio:
Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
Dolby Surround - English, French
DTS Surround 5.1 - English
Additional Release Material:
Featurette
Alternate Ending
Deleted Scenes: (10)
Audio Commentary: Henry Selick - Director
Behind the Scenes: Look at Live-Action/ Animation Process
Trailers:
1. Original Theatrical Trailer
2. TV Spots
Interactive Features:
Scene Selection
Interactive Menus
Text/Photo Galleries:
Stills/Photos
Galleries: Blue Screen Gallery
Stars
Brendan Fraser: American actor, JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH
Bridget Fonda: American actress, SINGLE WHITE FEMALE
Chris Kattan: Actor/SNL Veteran
Dave Foley: Actor "Kids In the Hall", etc...
Whoopi Goldberg: Oscar-winning actress/comedian, GHOST
Rose McGowan: Actress/"Doom Generation"
Christopher Franciosa: Actor, MONKEY BONE (2001)
Giancarlo Esposito: Actor
Megan Mullally: American Television Actress/Singer, WILL & GRACE
Mary Pierce: Actress, MONKEY BONE (2001)
Bob Odenkirk: Stand-Up Comedian
Director
Henry Selick: Director, NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Producer
Mark Radce: Producer, MONKEYBONE (2001)
Michael Barnathan: Producer
Screenwriter
Sam Hamm: Screenwriter, MONKEY BONE (2001)
Composer
Anne Dudley:
Editor
Mark Warner:
Jon Poll: Editor, MEET THE PARENTS (2000)
Nicholas C. Smith: Editor
Director of Photography
Andrew Dunn: American Cinematographer
Executive Producer
Chris Columbus: American screenwriter/director
Executive Producer
Henry Selick: Director, NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS
Executive Producer
Lata Ryan: Executive Producer
Executive Producer
Sam Hamm: Screenwriter, MONKEY BONE (2001)
Source Writer
Kaja Blackley: Comic Book Artist/ "Dark Town", inspiration for MONKEYBONE
Voice
John Turturro: American Actor/Director, BARTON FINK (1991)
Production Designer
Bill Boes: Production Designer/ MONKEYBONE (2001)
Review 1:
"...It's a welcome antidote to the epidemic of witless [comedies]....Fraser has some splendid moments..."
Source: New York Times
p.E10 02/23/2001
Review 2:
"...The far-out fantasy's originality is its draw....Kattan maintains his composure even while decomposing, a marvelous balancing act..."
Source: USA Today
p.4E 02/23/2001
Review 3:
"MONKEYBONE is grand fantasy, in which Brendan Fraser and stylish design and energetic special effects play off one another for maximum fun....MONKEYBONE is well-aimed to hit you in the funny bone..."
Source: Los Angeles Times
p.F2 02/23/2001
Review 4:
"...Frenetic....Wacky....MONKEYBONE is packed with comic talents..."
Source: Variety
p.39-49 02/26/2001
Review 5:
"...[An] admirably eccentric comedy....There's also unruly brilliance to this dark and funny story....Fraser walks upright, lithe and blithe, an actor in touch with his inner ape..."
Source: Entertainment Weekly
p.55 03/09/2001
Review 6:
"...The kinetic Kattan bursts forth with some fantastic physical comedy..."
Source: Box Office
p.61 05/01/2001
Review 7:
"...MONKEYBONE is often giddily hilarious....David Foley is delightful..."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.56-7 04/01/2001