Monkeybone MPAA Rating: PG-13 Entertainment: +2 1/2 Content: -1 1/2

Brendan Fraser stars as Stu Miley, an eccentric cartoonist ready to hit the big time, in this bizarre new comedy combining live action and stop motion animation. His cartoon, titled Monkeybone, stars an outspoken monkey of the same name and quickly gains popularity. Stus personal life is also on the upswing as he prepares to propose to his girlfriend, Julie (Bridget Fonda). But an unusual accident sends him into a coma where he finds himself stuck in a strange middle world in his mind. Neither dead nor awake, the comatose Miley must find a way out of this strange world and back into the real one while dodging Death (Whoopi Goldberg). What he doesnt realize is that his creation Monkeybone, whos alive in middle world, will not be as much help as he thinks. In fact, Monkeybone makes things more difficult as he spends some time controlling Stus body in the real world. MONKEYBONE is a decidedly different kind of movie; advertised as a comedy, the film has a dark edge to it. Although it has a peculiar nature and limited laughs, popular stars should help the initial turn out.

In the odd middle world in his head, Stu runs into Hypnos, the god of sleep. Other gods are also mentioned but, while Preview does not agree with worship of multiple gods, this is a fantasy element along with other freakish creatures in Stus coma world. Some fantasy and cartoon violence occurs, but the acts are so outlandishly that theyre not to be taken seriously. On the other hand, sexual content is prevalent with numerous instances of innuendo and suggested activity. And a premarital sexual relationship between Stu and Julie is implied as acceptable. Some foul language mars the dialogue but suggestive slang terms are equally offensive. While the movie includes animated elements, it is definitely not a film for children. A dark-edged and sometimes sexually charged movie, MONKEYBONE swings out of acceptable limits.

Preview Reviewer: John Adair
Distributor: 20th Century Fox, 10201 W. Pico Blvd., LA, CA 90035