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Project X

Play trailer Poster for Project X PG 1987 1h 48m Comedy Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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74% Tomatometer 19 Reviews 55% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
As punishment for a minor offense, the Air Force assigns pilot Jimmy Garrett (Matthew Broderick) to watch over a group of chimpanzees used for military experiments. Jimmy bonds with Virgil, a chimp capable of communicating with sign language. But when he witnesses the military's plan to kill the animals with radiation, Jimmy enlists the help of Teri MacDonald (Helen Hunt), the graduate student responsible for teaching sign language to Virgil, to free the chimps.

Critics Reviews

View All (19) Critics Reviews
Duane Byrge The Hollywood Reporter A combination of expose on Air Force experiments with chimpanzees and cuddly pet story, Project X should fly high as family entertainment. Apr 17, 2018 Full Review Kevin Thomas Los Angeles Times "Project X" reflects quality and care throughout, but its elements don't quite mesh. Rated: 2.5/5 Oct 26, 2011 Full Review Pat Graham Chicago Reader Plenty of strikes against this--moronic story line, obligatory animal mugging, more "awwwww" opportunities than any film since 3 Men and a Cradle--but it's still one of the most accomplished pulp fantasies in a while. Oct 26, 2011 Full Review CSM Staff Christian Science Monitor Matthew Broderick is likable but unexciting in this likable but unexciting movie. Mar 19, 2019 Full Review Film4 A likeable adventure movie with winning work from its young-ish leading man. Rated: 3/5 Oct 26, 2011 Full Review TV Guide Broderick is superb as always and proves that he is a commanding screen presence even in the company of a cute chimp. Hunt also turns in a fine performance. Rated: 3/4 Oct 26, 2011 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

View All (234) audience reviews
Crazy P This movie shows how chimpanzees can actually learn more than sign language. I watched this movie when I was younger cuz my dad was in the air force and watched varies interesting movies. Not all were that interesting but this was cute. Disappointing but interesting Rated 5 out of 5 stars 08/14/24 Full Review Audience Member How far do we test the limits of humans specially trained for travel and radiation experiments? Is it morally right or unethical to do the same with animals? This is inspired by actual events conducted by the United States Air Force Matthew Broderick, Helen Hunt star next to a lovable chimpanzee based in science A chimpanzee is captured from the wild and sent to the Lockridge Air Force base in Florida by accident Jimmy Garret who stole a plane for a joy ride and court marshalled is assigned to monitor these animals for military experiments One chimp in particular Virgil knows sign language and Jimmy is astonished so much so he bonds with the ape The bad news is realized when he finds out the apes are going to be killed by radiation during air travel So he'll need the help of Dr. Terri MacDonald, the graduate student who taught Virgil how to sign to free him The scenes of Broderick and Virgil are just lovable, they learn a lot from each other while also communicating with other apes It's so heartbreaking watching these animals' true purpose slowly being revealed you're almost on the verge of tears feeling helpless The breakout is actually pretty suspenseful watching these two humans whom have bonded a lot wit the animal share something in common, some funny antics too with the apes finally getting their chance to shine The movie is both equally thrilling and heart-filled particularly towards the end after everything our furry primates have learned Some things actually pay off it turns out A good expose on Air Force experimentation and works as an accomplished pulp fantasy in its own right A family-friendly movie drawing the line between duty and doing the right thing for our primate cousins Rated 4 out of 5 stars 04/18/24 Full Review CJ It is a great movie. All actors were amazing. It also shows awareness of how animals get used for experiments before testing on humans. Shows how intelligent animals are and can be. Shows how passionate some humans and animal are. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 06/23/23 Full Review Steve D overly earnest and lame. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/03/23 Full Review Audience Member A hard to watch movie for the whole family. The ending almost brings good tears to me now, just thinking about it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/12/22 Full Review Audience Member How far do we test the limits of humans specially trained for travel and radiation experiments? Is it morally right or unethical to do the same with animals? This is inspired by actual events conducted by the United States Air Force Matthew Broderick, Helen Hunt star next to a lovable chimpanzee based in science A chimpanzee is captured from the wild and sent to the Lockridge Air Force base in Florida by accident Jimmy Garret who stole a plane for a joy ride and court marshalled is assigned to monitor these animals for military experiments One chimp in particular Virgil knows sign language and Jimmy is astonished so much so he bonds with the ape The bad news is realized when he finds out the apes are going to be killed by radiation during air travel So he'll need the help of Dr. Terri MacDonald, the graduate student who taught Virgil how to sign to free him The scenes of Broderick and Virgil are just lovable, they learn a lot from each other while also communicating with other apes It's so heartbreaking watching these animals' true purpose slowly being revealed you're almost on the verge of tears feeling helpless The breakout is actually pretty suspenseful watching these two humans whom have bonded a lot wit the animal share something in common, some funny antics too with the apes finally getting their chance to shine The movie is both equally thrilling and heart-filled particularly towards the end after everything our furry primates have learned Some things actually pay off it turns out A good expose on Air Force experimentation and works as an accomplished pulp fantasy in its own right A family-friendly movie drawing the line between duty and doing the right thing for our primate cousins Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/22/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Project X

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Cast & Crew

Mr. North 50% 38% Mr. North Watchlist Housekeeping 92% 84% Housekeeping Watchlist From the Hip 30% 60% From the Hip Watchlist Fandango 63% 77% Fandango Watchlist We Think the World of You 80% 27% We Think the World of You Watchlist Discover more movies and TV shows. View More

Movie Info

Synopsis As punishment for a minor offense, the Air Force assigns pilot Jimmy Garrett (Matthew Broderick) to watch over a group of chimpanzees used for military experiments. Jimmy bonds with Virgil, a chimp capable of communicating with sign language. But when he witnesses the military's plan to kill the animals with radiation, Jimmy enlists the help of Teri MacDonald (Helen Hunt), the graduate student responsible for teaching sign language to Virgil, to free the chimps.
Director
Jonathan Kaplan
Producer
Lawrence Lasker, Walter F. Parkes
Screenwriter
Stanley Weiser
Production Co
American Entertainment
Rating
PG
Genre
Comedy, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date (Streaming)
Nov 30, 2016
Box Office (Gross USA)
$16.0M
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
Surround