MVP: Most Valuable Primate

2000 Comedy

A chimp learns the blue lines rules of hockey (which is more than can be said for many fans) in this family oriented comedy from the creative team behind Air Bud. Jack is a three-year-old chimpanzee who has been the subject of a long-term experiment by Dr. Kendall (Lomax Study), a researcher who been teaching Jack to communicate through sign language. Jack, however, has not been making progress fast enough for Dr. Kendall's sponsor, Dr. Peabody (Oliver Muirhead), who has cut off his funding and sold Jack to a medical research lab. Afraid of what could happen to his simian friend, Dr. Kendall sneaks Jack out of his home in the lab; however, Jack is accidentally sent to Canada, where he gets loose and is discovered by Tara (Jamie Renee Smith), a deaf girl who recognizes Jack's sign language. Jack has an even bigger surprise for Tara's older brother Steven (Kevin Zegers); Jack scrambles onto the ice in the midst of practice for Steven's junior league hockey team, and he and his teammates discover the monkey has a natural talent for the game. With Jack on the team, Steven's team is on their way to a league championship, but Jack's notoriety attracts the unfortunate attention of Dr. Peabody, who are determined to send Jack back to his new owners. Jack is played on screen by three different chimps, Bernie, Mac, and Louie; the suppoirting cast also features former SCTV regular Dave Thomas. more..

Director: Robert Vince

Starring: Kevin Zegers, Jamie Renee Smith, Rick Ducommun, Ingrid Tesch, Philip Granger

Reviews

  • Even parents might find themselves having fun.

    V.A. Musetto - New York Post

    26 April 2013

  • For juvenile filmgoers and families in search of a more-than-twice-told tale with uplifting messages about the rewards of perseverance, the virtues of animals and acceptance of the handicapped, MVP will do.

    Lawrence Van Gelder - The New York Times

    26 April 2013

  • Sweet and sort of cute -- watch and see if it doesn't kind of sneak up on you.

    Maitland McDonagh - TV Guide

    26 April 2013

  • A dull, amateurish mixture of the sentimental and the obvious.

    - The Chicago Tribune

    26 April 2013

  • A lark gone utterly awry.

    Robert Koehler - Variety

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Overall Sound of Feature Length Drama

    Leo Awards (2001)

  • Best Performance in a Feature Film - Leading Young Actor

    Young Artist Awards (2001)