Link (1986)

A zoology student (Elisabeth Shue) must try to out smart a murderous and super-intelligent orangutan.The 1980s were a strong decade for monkey-themed horror. Not only did we get Argento's "Phenomena", but one of George Romero's better films, "Monkeyshines". This one has probably fallen through the cracks, despite coming from director Richard Franklin ("Psycho II") and starring a pre-babysitting Shue and the wonderful Terence Stamp.The film also raises some great ethical and philosophical questions about how primates should be treated. Are murderous monkeys responsible for their behavior? And is the professor in this film a hero of science or a villain who mistreats his experiments?

An American student takes a summer job at a doctors cliff seaside house where he keeps apes, however, she finds herself trapped and in danger when one of the apes due for destruction turns bad.A young Elisabeth Shue as Jane Chase effectively carries the film along with the lead chimp Imp (Jed) and antagonist killer ape Link, played by Locke an Orangutan (dyed black). Terence Stamp's screen time is limited, however, he leaves as lasting impression as the cavalier Dr. Steven Phillip.The cliff-side house setting and locations give the film a distinctive atmosphere. Director Richard Franklin delivers plenty of ape action capturing both their intelligence and strength. There's a nice touch with an early intuitive computer which allows further communication between the apes and their human counterparts. This comes into play injecting anxiety into the closing act. The blood is limited and the body count is low. Franklin's focus is on Link as a thriller rather than a horror.Lapses in continuity (possibly due to cut scenes or editing) tarnishes some of Shue's reactions. The soundtrack is fitting but surprisingly Jerry Goldsmiths Gremiln-like score mars the atmosphere, dampening the much needed tension and suspense.What's impressive unintentionally or not is the ambiguity of writers Lee David Zlotoff, Tom Ackermann and Everett De Roche's offering, as it raise some questions around Links history, and the demise of Phillip and Imp's possible role. In addition, the ending has a satisfying subtle eerie visual twist that can be easily missed. Also to Franklin's credit the apes do their own performances, there doesn't appear to be any people in suits and made in 1986 it thankfully predates C.G.I. Overall Link is an effective enough thriller, recommended certainly for the apes and Shue's performance.

Richard Franklin is a self-proclaimed Hitchcock fan (he made "Psycho II", after all), and you've got to hand it to him, "Link" is more artfully directed than the average mid-80s horror film, with some nice camera movements and some even nicer transition shots. It moves slowly, though, and some characters seem to be introduced only to pump up the body count. Elizabeth Shue, in only her second role, is admirable in the way she holds her own against the naturally scene-stealing chimpanzees. (**1/2)

The cast,featuring a young Elisabeth Shue and Terence Stamp,was appealing.But,as for the latter,he does his stint,then collects his money quickly ,as if he wanted to get out of this drivel as soon as possible.Anyway,he was miscast:Stamp needs excessiveness,he cannot do anything with a straight character.The "cultural" intro is de rigueur in these "experiment" movies,here Stamp bestows on us a whole lecture ,complete with pay-attention-I'll-ask-you-some-questions-next-week.It seems that the humans are very strange and that everybody's got something to hide except for Elisabeth and her monkeys.The humans leave the stage for a while,and the beautiful girl is on her own ,on her planet of the apes.The movie is then crawling along at 20 and it becomes boring.The Kinks' "Apeman" signals the boys' arrival and the slow-moving "psychological" suspense becomes a ape-like "Friday the thirteen".Best avoid.