Space Chimps facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Space Chimps |
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Theatrical release poster
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| Directed by | Kirk DeMicco |
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| Cinematography | Jericca Cleland |
| Editing by | Debbie Berman |
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| Release date(s) | July 18, 2008 |
| Running time | 81 minutes |
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| Language | English |
| Budget | $37 million |
| Money made | $64.8 million |
Space Chimps is a 2008 3D computer-animated comic science fiction film directed by Kirk DeMicco in his directional debut, and written by DeMicco and Rob Moreland. It features the voices of Andy Samberg, Cheryl Hines, Jeff Daniels, Patrick Warburton, Kristin Chenoweth, Kenan Thompson, Zack Shada, Carlos Alazraqui, Omid Abtahi, Patrick Breen, Jane Lynch, Kath Soucie, and Stanley Tucci.
The film follows three chimpanzees who go into space to an alien planet. 20th Century Fox theatrically released the film on July 18, 2008. The film grossed $64.8 million on a $37 million budget. It received an Artios Award nomination for Outstanding Achievement in Casting – Animation Feature. A video game based on the film was also released in July 2008.
A direct-to-video sequel, entitled Space Chimps 2: Zartog Strikes Back, was released in October 2010.
Contents
Plot
Ham III, grandson of the first chimpanzee in space, is a cannonball at his circus, which his grandfather's friend, Houston, criticizes. Meanwhile in outer space, an unmanned NASA space probe on a mission to search for intelligent life called the Infinity is dragged into an intergalactic wormhole and crash lands on an Earth-like planet called Malgor on the other side of the galaxy populated by colorful alien beings. Zartog, an evil-minded inhabitant, accidentally discovers how to take manual control of the onboard machinery and uses it to enslave the population. Faced with the loss of the probe and probable loss of their budget, the scientists have to find a way to regain contact with the probe to help retrieve the wayward craft. Technical genius chimp, Comet, gets the scientists to pick them as astronauts to explore the planet and get the probe back, with the help of the fearless lieutenant Luna, and their flamboyant commander, Titan. The Senator likes the idea, but wants something extra special to grab the attention of the media, and picks Ham. Ham is uninterested in the mission, but he is launched into space despite his best efforts to escape the scientist's training facility.
The three chimps enter the wormhole, where Titan and Luna pass out from the pressure, leaving Ham with the task of getting the ship out and landing it. Ham and Luna explore the planet, during which their ship, along with Titan, is taken by a group of aliens sent by Zartog. Ham and Luna begin their journey to Zartog's palace, and on the way they meet one of the inhabitants, Kilowatt. Kilowatt offers to lead them to the palace, but soon after they encounter a flesh eating monster in a cave. The monster blocks the exit, but Kilowatt distracts it, sacrificing herself so Ham and Luna can escape. The two chimps finally reach the palace, where they discover that Titan has been teaching Zartog about some of the probe's features. They rescue him and are able to board their ship, but just as they are about to leave, Ham glances outside and sees Zartog torturing the inhabitants. He then tells Titan and Luna that they indirectly sent the probe there, and that they owe it to Kilowatt to help save the planet. But Titan insists that they focus on going home. The two of them exit the ship, which blasts off set to autopilot taking Titan with it. Eventually, Titan started to have second thoughts on helping them due to his motto, "chimps don't leave chimps behind." but before they can think of a plan, Zartog attacks them with the probe. Just as they are about to get destroyed, Titan tricks Zartog into what he thought could have him dominate the universe, Actually triggering an ejection mechanism in the probe, which in turn leads to his defeat. The chimps then discover that Kilowatt has survived, and they are able to make contact with Comet and Houston back on Earth through a walkie talkie. Houston reminds them that if they can redesign the probe, then they can use it to get back to Earth. They manage to do this with help from the planet's inhabitants and they use an erupting volcano to get the thrust they need to escape the planet's gravity.
The chimps go into space, and just as they are about to re-enter the wormhole, Titan hands the controls over to Ham, since Ham is the only one who can withstand the pressure, and thus, the only one who can pilot the ship home; Titan and Luna once again pass out. Ham is unsure if he is up to the task until he has a mental conversation with his grandfather in spirit, who tells him to believe in himself and to just do things his way. Ham manages to maneuver the ship back to Earth and land it with Luna's help, and the Senator, under pressure from the press, decides to dramatically increase the space program's funding. The film ends with a celebration being held for the chimps' return.
Cast
- Andy Samberg as Ham III, Ham I's grandson and a circus chimp who loves cannon acts and crashing.
- Cheryl Hines as Luna, Titan's lieutenant who is fearless and intelligent.
- Jeff Daniels as Zartog, an alien tyrant who enslaves the planet Malgor.
- Patrick Warburton as Titan, the flamboyant commander of the expedition. He has a great love of chimp puns.
- Kristin Chenoweth as Kilowalawhizasahooza (Kilowatt for short), a tiny alien who befriends Ham and Luna.
- Kenan Thompson as The Ringmaster, the owner of a circus where Ham III works.
- Zack Shada as Comet, a technical genius chimp.
- Carlos Alazraqui as Houston, a friend of Ham's grandfather.
- Omid Abtahi as Dr. Jagu
- Patrick Breen as Dr. Bob
- Jane Lynch as Dr. Poole
- Kath Soucie as Dr. Smothers
- Stanley Tucci as The Senator
- Wally Wingert as Splork, Infinity Probe, and Pappy Ham
- Tom Kenny as Newsreel
- Jason Harris as Guard
Video game
A video game based on the film was released in July 2008, published by Brash Entertainment and developed by Redtribe, Wicked Witch Software and WayForward Technologies.
Sequel
The sequel was released in May 2010 to cinemas in the United Kingdom, and premiered direct to video in October 2010 in the United States. It was universally panned by critics, and grossed just over $4 million during its theatrical run.
