Overview"Monkeybone" is a dark comedy-fantasy movie released in 2001, directed by Henry Selick and starring Brendan Fraser, Bridget Fonda, and Whoopi Goldberg. The film blends live-action with stop-motion animation, telling the story of a cartoonist who ends up in a comatose state and gets trapped in a wild, surreal dreamland.
PlotStu Miley, played by Brendan Fraser, is an effective cartoonist behind the funny character Monkeybone - a x-rated monkey with a devilish persona. Stu is in a caring relationship with Julie, a sleep institute professional, played by Bridget Fonda. On the night Stu plans to propose to his girlfriend, he winds up in a car accident which sends him into a coma. While comatose, Stu's spirit trains to a hyperactive, horrible realm known as Downtown, where his production, Monkeybone, is real and triggers turmoil.
In DowntownIn Downtown, unusual animals, both funny and monstrous, occupy the world which resembles a spooky amusement park crossed with a carnival, representing the mix of headaches and dreams. Monkeybone is a popular figure in this world, continuing his mischievous antics. Stu frantically looks for a way out of this world to reconnect with his physical body and his love Julie, but Monkeybone and other Downtown denizens present constant hurdles in his path.
Monkeybone's DeceptionWhen Stu finally discovers a method to awaken from his coma by getting a valuable exit pass, Monkeybone betrays him. Monkeybone takes the pass and uses it on himself, returning to the real world in Stu's body. Monkeybone, now in Stu's body, delights in producing havoc in the real life, satisfying all sorts of indulgent desires and promoting Monkeybone product vastly for individual gain. He also mistreats Julie, who remains uninformed of the entity governing Stu's body.
Stu's Return and ResolutionStu, with the help of Death, played by Whoopi Goldberg, goes back to the real world by having a recently deceased gymnast's body. He tries to conserve his degrading relationship with Julie, and battle Monkeybone's havoc. The climax is a last encounter in between Stu and Monkeybone, causing Stu reclaiming his own body and Monkeybone winding up as a little doll.
Conclusion"Monkeybone" is a strange mix of funny, fantasy, and peculiar visuals, stretching the borders of standard storytelling. The movie's narrative may not line up with conventional funny or fantasy aspects, and the humor tends to be on the darker side, offered its plot revolves around a comatose male and his animated, out-of-control development. Regardless of its unusual approach, it is still a watchable movie, especially if one enjoys surreal and wacky movie theater.
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