Project X

Overview

Project X is a top-secret government undertaking involving trained chimpanzees. Grounded pilot Matthew Broderick, assigned to teach the chimps how to operate a flight simulator, discovers that his charges are to be subjected to high levels of radiation to test potential human endurance. Risking a court martial, Broderick links up with Helen Hunt, the researcher who has taught the chimps sign language, to save the simians from destruction. The serious subtext of Project X is forgotten during a Disneyesque comic finale, wherein the lovable chimps nearly trigger a nuclear meltdown! Without taking anything away from human stars Matthew Broderick and Helen Hunt, we must note that the most engaging performance in Project X is delivered by Willie the Chimp, who aces the challenging role of Virgil the Chimp.

Product Details

Release Date:	06/23/2015
UPC:	9332412010799
Original Release:	1987
Source:	Imports
Language:	English

Cast & Crew

Performance Credits

Matthew Broderick	Jimmy Garrett
Helen Hunt	Teri
William Sadler	Dr. Carroll
Johnny Ray McGhee	Robertson
Jonathan Stark	Sgt. Krieger
Robin Gammell	Col. Niles
Stephen Lang	Watts
Jean Smart	Dr. Criswell
Chuck Bennett	Gen. Claybourne
Daniel Roebuck	Hadfield
Mark Harden	Airman Lewis
Duncan Wilmore	Maj. Duncan
Marvin J. McIntyre	Jimmy's Cellmate
Swede Johnson	Senator
Harry Northrup	Congressman
Michael Kramer	Lt. Voeks
Reed R. McCants	Lt. Frohman
Ward Costello	Price
Jackson Sleet	Tavel
Lance August	Cochran
Stan Foster	Daniels
Gil Mandelik	Perks
Shelly Desai	Mr. Verrous
Dick Miller	Max King
Michael Milgroom	Melvin
Catherine Paolone	Miss Decker
John Chilton	Dr. Hutchins
David Raynr	Airman Curtis
Lynn Eastman	Sgt. Huntley
Julian Sylvester	Airman
Kim Robillard	Lt. Rainey
David Stenstrom	Lt. Durschlag
Richard Cummings Jr.	Lt. Hayes
Randal Patrick	Mackler
Sonny Davis	Sgt. Ridley
Robert Covarrubias	MP Rodriguez
Dino Shorte	MP Jones
Ken Lerner	Finley
Travis Swords	Fanara
William Snider	Warden
Philip A. Roberson	Reeves
Bob Minor	Air Policeman
Raymond Elmendorf	Air Policeman
Michael McGrady	Wilson
Rob Fitzgerald	Dryer
Pamela Ludwig	Lenore
Deborah Offner	Carol Lee
Lance E. Nichols	Hamer
Tee Rodgers	Brig MP
Jackie Kinner	United Way Volunteer
Mady Kaplan	TV Announcer
Chevis Cooper	Customer
Ken Sagoes	Patrolman
Louis A. Peretz	Bellhop
Sam Laws	Bartender
Clatu	Spke Chimp
Harry	Ginger Chimp
Karanja	Goliath Chimp
Anne Lockhart	Actor
Lucy	Razzberry Chimp
Lulu	Ethel Chimp
Mousie	New Recruit Chimp
Okko	Goofy Chimp
Willie	Virgil Chimp
Michael Milgrom	Melvin
David Hubbard	Airman Curtis
James Horner	Composer

Technical Credits

Stanley Weiser

Lawrence Lasker

Walter F. Parkes

Jonathan Kaplan	Director
Stanley Weiser	Screenwriter
Lawrence Lasker	Producer,Screenwriter
Walter F. Parkes	Producer,Screenwriter
C.O. Erickson	Executive Producer,Producer
Michael Fink	Special Effects
Jackie Burch	Casting
Petur Hliddal	Sound/Sound Designer

Editorial Reviews

If you've ever cried during any animal movie, you'll want to keep a box of tissue handy for this sob-inducing drama. Matthew Broderick is an Air Force loose cannon reassigned to a secret project in which chimpanzees are taught to fly planes on simulators. Everything seems fine, and Broderick even makes friends with one, an adorable and intelligent ape named Virgil. Then he finds out that the chimps are only being trained so they can be zapped with fatal ionizing radiation as part of a study to determine how far pilots can fly in the event of nuclear attack. Broderick and Virgil's trainer (Helen Hunt) then spend the rest of the film trying to free the chimps. The best scenes are between Broderick and the animals, who are all terrific. Sure, it may be corny and predictable -- and the ending is more than a little silly -- but animal lovers will find it irresistible.

All Movie Guide - Robert Firsching