Space Chimps 2: Zartog Strikes Back

If ever a film should have had ‘straight to DVD’ written all over it, it is Space Chimps 2: Zartog Strikes Back, an inconsequential and unforgivably mild-mannered animated sequel that has had a release in the UK during the school half-term holidays desperately trying to pick up on the 3D animated feeding frenzy before the arrival of the summer big hitters, such as Shrek Forever After and Toy Story 3.

A flat and dull storyline that largely replicates the original mixed in with some very flat animation and CGI that is hardly enhanced by the 3D.

The film was released onto an unsuspecting marketplace with no press screenings, but a goodly amount of advertising, relying on some sort of good will from the modest success of the first film. But the film most likely is destined for a life as a cheapish DVD title.

The story – such as it is – follows pretty directly on from the original movie, except this time round focussing on techno chimp Comet, who wasn’t part of the original mission, and who dreams of being a fully fledged space chimp.

He heads off on a trip to the plant of Malgor – as the chimps did in the original – bonds with friendly alien Kilowatt (as they did in the original), but then has to prove himself when evil alien leader Zartog takes over Mission Control. He has to join with the original heroic chimp threesome of Ham, Luna and Titan to save the day.

And there you have it. A flat and dull storyline that largely replicates the original mixed in with some very flat animation and CGI that is hardly enhanced by the 3D. Still, at least at 76 minutes it is pretty short.