Der Affe im Menschen (1988)

Der Affe im Menschen: Directed by George A. Romero. With Jason Beghe, John Pankow, Kate McNeil, Joyce Van Patten. A quadriplegic man has a trained monkey help him with his paralysis, until the little monkey begins to develop feelings, and rage, against its new master.

“If youu0026#39;re looking for body count, blood, or bogeymen, this film is not for you. It is more of a psychological thriller than a horror film, though it was billed as horror, likely because of the pseudo-science gimmick that provides the basis for the conflict in the plot.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWhile the film tends to wander a bit (i.e. a sub-plot involving the research head that gets dropped 3/4 of the way through) it stays fairly well focused on the main character and his problems. Aside from the lead, the most effective acting was done by the monkey(s), but the u0026quot;realu0026quot; actors do a pretty good job of carrying their own. It gives you a little insight into what itu0026#39;s like to be quadriplegic. For a late 80u0026#39;s movie, the style of filming was well done, there is very little cheese, and the special effects didnu0026#39;t overreach.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe premise seems a bit farfetched to our currently more sophisticated and informed sense of whatu0026#39;s possible on the genetic engineering front. After all, this movie was made 15 years ago. If Romero had gone with either a supernatural cause or a plain animal jealousy angle, it might be less dated, but then again it might have been a little less believable to begin with.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eNot very horrific, not startling or scary, but worth seeing if you donu0026#39;t mind a slightly slow-paced thriller. I gave it a higher than average score (6 out of 10) just because it didnu0026#39;t make me say u0026quot;oh, please!u0026quot; too many times unlike other movies from that time–particularly horror films–are prone to do. For example, the pivotal moment is fully supported by plausible input earlier in the film, itu0026#39;s not one of those miraculous developments pulled out of nowhere in the last few seconds before the climax.”