Monkeybone is a highly original fantasy comedy with lots of dark visual stylization. The  comic strip and television character Monkeybone is the comic creation of cartoonist Stu Miley, a lascivious furry figment of his imagination. Miley's monkey is a foul-mouthed lecherous cartoon nasty.  The monkey is a riot. Stu is only a few monkey hairs short of his creation's zaniness.
     On the evening of the cocktail party celebrating the success of Miley's creation, Stu has a surprise planned for his girl friend Julie McElroy. It's time to pop the big question, but given Miley's imagination, it can't be done in any typical fashion. Fate intervenes before Stu can secure a "yes" from Julie and he winds up reconnoitering the ins and outs of a world only possible in his fertile imagination., "Downtown." While Stu meets a live Monkeybone under very stressful circumstances, it's left to Julie to battle for Stu's survival in another venue. 
    The two worlds of Monkeybone come to crashing comic collision in a wild conclusion worthy of madcap comedy's best. The guy loosing his guts all over the place will tie your stomach in a convulsive know. The Museum fund-raiser hosted by an obnoxious incarnation of Miley is a fas.

Stu meet Monkeybone! ©Fox

     Director Henry Selick's previous film forays have included direction of two animated films, the dark and entertaining Nightmare Before Christmas and several years later in 1996 James and the Giant Peach. Monkeybone combines live action and animation to dazzling effect. Miley’s sojourn in Downtown, a way station before life and death, is fascinating. The outrageous behavior may not be to everyone's taste and, trust me,  the smut meter is cranked up big time. Selick masters the art mixed elements combining charm and noxiousness into a hilarious chemical explosion. The creature design is amazing. The overall production design is pure joy. Monkeybone basks in its own imaginative style and draws pleasure from its most twisted character elements. 
     Brandon Fraser is the guy with the imagination. Fraser is totally home in over-the-top screwball roles. He makes Miley more than just cardboard.  Bridget Fonda is Miley's faithful fiancée and Whoopee Goldberg gets to lend her smile to Death. Dave Foley is effectively cast int he role of Miley's manager. With a little help from magic purple dust, Foley runs joyously amok.     
    This is an excellent special edition featuring thoughtful commentary from director Henry Selick who providing many technical details. There are extended scenes included, a deeper look at Monkeybone special effects and several TV spots and a theatrical trailer.
   It's a stunner of a DVD. Join Miley's tour of the nether world highlighted by glossy blacks, intense color and details sharp enough to conjure up some original nightmares of your own. Every detail of the make-up and production design is revealed for precise scrutiny. The museum party is a wonder of brilliant color with a perfect sampling of purple dust. Face tones are dead on, shadow detail in perfect balance. Monkeybone has theatrical impact to spare. Very active and exciting surround sound is offered up in DTS or Dolby Digital 5:1 completes the package.

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