ASouthernHorrorFan 2009's "Monkey Boy" is a dark fantasy, giallo film directed by Antonio Monti. The Italian horror is a bit of an odd, fairy tale story that follows the journey of Monkey Boy and Agata, a young princess. The fairytale is played out in a urban drama that has a strange humanoid "freak of nature" who's destiny crosses the path of a young girl Agata. "Monkey Boy" stars Giampiero Bartolini, Gianni Fantoni, Giovanna Gardelli, and Andrea Melli.The story is an odd mix of fantasy, drama, and horror with stoic characters that seem to be a little bit nonsensical. It has plenty of heart, even as dark a fairytale as it is. "Monkey Boy" plays out in a surreal melodrama with characters that are only partially defined. These aspects of the story come off more intentional instead of in error. This is probably due to the fact that the two main characters are a mutant and an autistic girl. Either way the style of storytelling used for "Monkey Boy" works wonderfully, and creates a captivating adventure with actors that give believable characters. The special effects are on the milder side and only used to enhance the harsh world this fairytale world creates. The effects are practical and habitual tricks common in Italian horror. The overall outcome of the special effects and visual style that Monti uses is reminiscent of 80's spaghetti thrillers. More importantly they work. The cinematography is haunting, shades of poor lighting, tight frame shots and atmospheric surrealism. "Monkey Boy" gives good giallo vision. A style that is as contemporary as it is classic. Considering the story content and creature effects required of the film I was pleasantly surprised to see that things came together as well as they did. The sounds used aren't really anything major but the instrumental effects accentuate the already dark fairytale theme nicely, giving an added emotional energy.Overall "Monkey Boy" is a nice Italian fantasy, horror film. There is some odd moments that were a bit confusing but I think that they were more cultural difference than directing or writing flaws. The film will not appeal to all horror fans, and the parallel drama that mirrors fairytale with actual character prose (the monkey boy and Agata of the fairytale kingdom and that of the "real world" characters) has moments that are not as authentic as intended. However the total result of "Monkey Boy" is a well directed, oddly entertaining fantasy that delivers both in story and horror.

Chris Mackey (guestar57) In Italian (with English subtitles).Really liked this film,Fascinated though that Chemical Burn picks up these foreign films and just releases like all their other titles.Really has an art to the gore,mean situations the women are put in and a lot of the men leave a little to be desired.On to the makeup known as MONKEY BOY,Their is a 'Making Of' extra that was awesome in filling in the actor who portrays The MB and all that full body latex and animal fur and the leaping and the bounding as if wild and well,As a critic I was exhausted and wondering if ANDY SERKIS had to work as hard in DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES ? The princess references abound and there is a prostitute dressed as Snow White.

kkslie Although Antonio Monti doesn't want to name this as an explicit source of inspiration, MONKEY BOY can be considered as a dark interpretation of those cruel stories we've been hearing in the news about children being held captive in basements and not coming out until (physically) fully grown. Not coming into contact with other social beings until you're an adolescent, you might as well be a monkey in terms of understanding human society. Although monkey's/apes of course are highly socially developed themselves... but what are you gonna do when the director just loves monkeys? It's clear that Monti didn't have the luxury of such things as money... In terms of production value, the film could have done with for instance a more convincing monkey-suit. The dark cinematography however works very well with this theme of social disconnection.The biggest problem is that the film peaks too early, the opening animation is by far the most visually interesting ten minutes in the whole movie. Presenting the story as a fairy tale also gives the viewer the opportunity to experience the film as more than a social-commentary flick and makes it more universal. But the beautiful animation also creates expectations, which MONKEY BOY only sporadically manages to fulfill.So Monti, ever considered a feature length animation? Kevin Lie