Dunston Checks In (1996): Dir: Ken Kwapis / Cast: Eric Lloyd, Jason Alexander, Rupert Everett, Faye Dunaway, Paul Reubens: Ridiculous family film about an orangutan forced to steal for its ruthless owner at a hotel. Since Dunston is an orangutan it is indicated that certain mischief checks into the hotel. One thing that definitely didn't check in was a decent screenwriter. The title symbolizes behaviour although Dunston means well. He encounters a boy who happens to be the son of the manager. Everything must go smoothly because an unnamed visitor is evaluating the hotel. When priceless items are stolen Dunston is blamed and an exterminator is summoned. Unoriginal concept with repetitious storytelling before certain identities are revealed in the climax. Characters are basically props for Dunston's antics. Among the cast are Eric Lloyd as the boy who befriends Dunston and gets in trouble. Jason Alexander as his father is total cardboard. Rupert Everett as the thief is a letdown considering that he is more talented than this juvenile junk. Faye Dunaway is the biggest disappointment seeing that she has won an Oscar and this is the thanks she receives. Paul Reubens was in on the joke when he played Pee Wee Herman. Here as an exterminator he is the bunt of a career joke blunder. Director Ken Kwapis references old style films but this is forgettable family fluff. Score: 3 / 10
Review of Dunston Checks In
