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

Dunston checks in is a funny, entertaining family flick with plenty of laughs. Jason Alexander (Seinfeld) plays 5 star hotel manager Robert Grant along with his two sons Kyle and Brian (Eric Lloyd and Graham Sack) who like to get into mischief around the hotel. Faye Dunaway (Chinatown) plays the snob of a hotel owner Mrs. Dubrow, and her hate for young children. Everything seems well until the beloved Orangutan Dunston checks in, along with his snobbish owner Lord Rutledge (Rupert Everett). Soon things get a little out of hand and all hell breaks loose through a comedic way that will have you in stitches.The acting was quite surprising especially from young Eric Lloyd after the smash family hit "The Santa Clause". Faye Dunaway surprises again with another well player role as well as Rupert Everett's well played role as the bad guy in the film. One thing a personal loved about this film was seeing Paul Reubens (Pee- wee's Big Adventure) play an extremely funny and stupid exterminator. I also loved Glenn Shadix role as Lionel Spalding who seems to always get hurt, from either someone slapping him or just falling over, and the conclusion of Lionel Spalding. I also couldn't stop laughing, where Dunston breaks into a hotel room owned by Mrs. Dellacroce and goes through all her clothes and drinks her perfume. Many will like this film for the comedy or you have a family with young children. If you like Jason Alexander or Faye Dunaway or you just love Orangutans or all three and enjoy comedies this is a film you will sure love. be warned Jason Alexander does sneak the words "Holy S***" although is used in a comedic way. A great family classic, Dunston checks in, is a great one for kids, If there into monkeys they will love it, and is one for the whole family to enjoy.

This is the sort of light caper that is nothing special but does provide some harmless fun for kids who will undoubtedly get more of a kick out of an Orangutan's shenanigans than an adult will--although there are some very clever moments that fill the bill for young and old.JASON Alexander is expert as a hotel manager with two bratty kids who seem to have nothing better to do than make mischief as they cavort around the hotel with an unexpected guest. Seems that a jewel thief (RUPERT EVERETT) has checked in with his pet who's been trained to steal. This sets up the structure of the plot which has the kids and the Orangutan as the main focus of attention.It's fun to see FAYE DUNAWAY enjoying herself in a comic role and everyone else enters nicely into the spirit of the whole thing. Easy to take and passes the time quickly with a few very clever moments among the many vignettes involving some cute stunts.

1995 and 1996 were clearly the years for movies dealing with primates. "Ed "in 1996 taught us that heroes come in all shapes, and all sizes. Congo (1995) taught us that apes could be both intelligent and evil. Let's not forget 1995's "Born to be Wild", where a teenage boy and female gorilla's near bestiality captured all our hearts. However, not since the original "Planet of Apes" has a movie captivated our attention, and made us feel what it's like to be a monkey. "Dunston Checks In" set the bar for years to come. Sam the orangutan's performance as Dunston is both hilarious and heartbreaking. Blockbuster actors such as Ben Affleck and James Franco could learn a lesson or two from Sam. You think Ben Affleck was emotional when he said "I love you" to Bruce Willis in Armageddon? Think again. When Sam looks at the picture of him and his now dead brother, his expression alone brings a tear to ones eye. You think James Franco was in pain in Spider-Man 2 when he realized his best friend was the man who killed his father? Try watching Sam when he is getting a piece of glass torn from his flesh. Sam's connection with the audience is so great you almost feel the glass being ripped from your own hand. This is not to mention the other wonderful qualities this movie has. Amazing slapstick comedy, alcoholic older women, Jason Alexander cursing, Faye Dunaway's fall from grace, an orangutan spanking a prominent socialite, and a cameo from Paul Reubens that can only be explained with two words: Oscar worthy. The fact that this film did not win any Academy Awards is shocking. Five for sure: Paul Reubens beating out Cuba Gooding Jr. and James Woods for Best Supporting Actor, "Dunston Checks In" narrowly defeating "The English Patient" for Best Picture, Ken Kwapis for Best Director, Best Music Robert Blackwell, and lastly, a landslide victory for Sam, the orangutan for Best Actor. It is criminal that the Academy shafted this great film in 1996 with no Oscars and zero nominations. Although it was given no Oscars this much can be certain: it set the standard and paved the way for future primate movies. Where would MVP: Most Vaulable Primate and MXP: Most Xtreme Primate be without Dunston Checks In? In some Hollywood executive's trash, that's where. Because of pioneer movies like "Dunston Checks In" movies like MVP and MXP enjoy much commercial success. So grab your kids, round up the neighbor, pop some popcorn, and get ready to laugh, and cry at one of the best movies in the last twenty years: "Dunston Checks In".