Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, April 1, 1995 TAG: 9504040029
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B-6 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
It's a kid's movie aimed at the 6-12-year-old audience. For anyone older, it's inexcusably sappy.
The filmmakers have essentially recycled the successful "Willie" formula right down to the characters, situation and setting. Bad-boy Rick (Wil Horneff) gets into trouble with the law. Why? Broken family. His mom (Helen Shaver) can't do anything with him. As punishment, Rick has to clean up Katie's cage.
Katie, played by an animatronic model and an unidentified guy in a hairy suit, is a sign-language speaking gorilla who looks like she's on her way to "The Planet of the Apes."
When an evil capitalist (Peter Boyle) imprisons her, Rick arranges an escape from Oakland, CA, to Canada where an aging Vietnam protester (John C. McGinley) will help them find asylum.
Director John Gray and writers John Bunsel and Paul Young keep the action simple and quick enough for their young audience. The humor is silly, making all the adults look like dolts. Some of their comic bits are amusing, in the light way that appeals to kids. The chases are brisk.
At one Friday matinee, the younger members of the crowd seemed attentive and happy. There was no running in the aisles and everyone laughed in the right places.
Overall, judged as disposable juvenile entertainment, "Born to be Wild" will fill the bill until the big summer releases show up.
Born to be Wild **
A Warner Bros. release playing at the Salem Valley 8 and Valley View Mall 6. 95 min. Rated PG for potty humor, a little cussing.
by CNB