THB #790: Primate
Primate is a weird experience to write about.
I was there for the premise. Family monkey goes insane, threatens to kill the family and anyone else it can. Okay. It feels a bit like it could be a cousin to M3GAN, but the monkey, as it works out, really has no personality. It’s not anthropomorphic, even though monkeys are the closest animals to humans and the monkey signs and has a long relationship with the family… but ultimately, just a monkey who will be going through a bad time.
The other version of this movie is to really let the animal be an animal, with the humans showing insight and cleverness in dealing with a species that has its strengths and weaknesses. Nope. Not that either.
Layered into this story are a whole series of gimmicks. Some are on the nose, others will become intentional distractions, and others yet will be grossly underfed. Thing is, the movie is wanting for more gimmicks that are not there and fewer of the gimmicks tha…
