61
Metascore
15 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90Chicago ReaderPat GrahamChicago ReaderPat GrahamPlenty 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...When everything finally comes together, it works wonderfully well.
- 80Washington PostRita KempleyWashington PostRita KempleyThe suspense drama is based on real-life military monkey tests, and it's as unabashedly political as "Silkwood" and unashamedly sentimental as "Lassie Come Home." Yet it remains taut and resists the temptation to paint the villains too broadly.
- 75Chicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertChicago Sun-TimesRoger EbertProject X is not a great movie because its screenplay doesn't really try for greatness. It's content to be a well-made, intelligent entertainment aimed primarily, I imagine, at bright teenagers. It works on that level.
- 75TV Guide MagazineTV Guide MagazineThere's practically nothing wrong with PROJECT X. 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. Surprisingly, even the film's bad guy (Bill Sadler) has some redeeming qualities, preventing the script from becoming patently simpleminded.
- 75Chicago TribuneDave KehrChicago TribuneDave KehrThere's something delicious in the way Kaplan, who has been working carefully and naturalistically, suddenly gives in to the excess the screenplay has been inviting all along--the shudder of pleasure that comes with a loss of control. Making a movie isn't only a question of doing everything right, but also of knowing when to make a meaningful misstep. [17 Apr 1987, p.A]
- 70The Hollywood ReporterDuane ByrgeThe Hollywood ReporterDuane ByrgeA combination of exposé on Air Force experiments with chimpanzees and cuddly pet story, Project X should fly high as family entertainment.
- a young folks' story, a sweet-natured boy-and-his-chimp tale (even the bad guys aren't all that bad), with a dose of Animal Liberation to give the impression that something of current signficance is going on.
- 40Washington PostDesson ThomsonWashington PostDesson ThomsonThere isn't enough magic in the bag this time. Although Parkes and Lasker produce a set of primates guaranteed to charm the upholstery off the theater seats, there is little else.
- 40Los Angeles TimesKevin ThomasLos Angeles TimesKevin ThomasProject X strains credibility. Too often it seems an overreaching variation on "WarGames."