A*P*E (1976)

Too much of everything

Brilliant and touching

a film so unique, intoxicating and bizarre that it not only demands another viewing, but is also forgivable as a satirical comedy where the jokes eventually take the back seat.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

A giant ape escapes from a ship and destroys a city. That's about it.I've read that this is a Korean made movie that tried to make money as a King Kong ripoff. Some of the stories about how this movie was made are more entertaining than watching the actual movie. Anyone who sits through this today could only be interested in the camp value, and there are a number of moments to laugh at. The movie has every problem that is generally associated with bad movies, such as bad dubbing, terrible dialog, stilted acting, and poor effects. What takes the fun out of the movie are the long stretches of repetitive or stagnant shots. For example, when the ape fights the shark, he swings it back and forth for what feels like five minutes straight. A guy in a bad ape costume with a dead shark. Swinging it around. Over and over. So for that reason, I would not want to sit through this one again. I had to watch it once, all the way through, just because of some strange fascination with how inept everything was. This might actually be the worst movie ever.

It's not because of the plot. It's not because of the special effects. It's not because of the acting. It's not because of anything you can imagine. This movie goes beyond your imagination and your mind capabilities. It's worth seeing it just for the sake of it. Don't take it too seriously, don't panic after 5 minutes of footage and give it a chance. Please, be gentle and open minded. It is probably one of the most exhilarating, fresh and funny movies I've ever seen ( and I've seen a lot of crap). To be honest, even though I love Bergman (for example), not everybody is ready to watch his films and prefers very "light " movies like this masterpiece. Believe it or not. A*P*E* rocks!!!!!

A 36-Foot ape (worst monkey custom I have seen) that escapes from a rather small toy ship, beats a shark similar in size, enters South Korea and terrorizes the population. Destroying everything at its path, including cities made of card board and Styrofoam. He kidnaps and falls in love with an American actress filming a movie, destroys helicopters, throws Styrofoam rocks to tanks, and jumps over a cow action figure. This is a love it or hate it type of movie. For collectors of this kind of films or for anyone that wants a good laugh, this is a jewel. This look as if it was done by Ed Woods. I conclude saying them that I recommend this movie so that you are witness that the American cinema can be very funny... without intending it!

....don't forget these great parts too! Wow what a BAD flick, I agree w/ about everything the rest said here. Poopoo f/x, Gorilla-gram level suit, acting of the 5th graders school play level, the infamous Balsa Battering ram scene, the breakdancing, flipping the bird APE, the Korean guy putting his gun right Past the camera lense not ONCE but TWICE (same footage), toy tanks that don't move, bad shark fight...oh it's truly THAT bad. By all means check this out if you have a penchant for MSTK type stuff. It's as bad as they all say, if not worse.* for the battering ram scene. What audacity.