ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Saturday, January 13, 1996             TAG: 9601150026
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: B6   EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: MOVIE REVIEW
SOURCE: CALVIN WILSON KANSAS CITY STAR 

`DUNSTON' IS MORE THAN JUST A MONKEY MOVIE

One monkey don't stop no show, the saying goes. But how about an orangutan?

The fact is, Sam the orangutan is a great reason to watch ``Dunston Checks In,'' a children's comedy that's neither as bad - nor as good - as it could be.

The plot is silly. A jewel thief (Rupert Everett) checks into a swanky hotel, in hopes of ripping off the well-heeled guests with the help of his simian associate, Dunston (Sam).

Meanwhile, the overworked hotel manager (Jason Alexander of ``Seinfeld'') is under pressure from his boss (Faye Dunaway) to get the place in shape for an all-important inspection. If he's successful, the hotel could get an unprecedented six stars.

If he's not - well, as Dunaway informs him, finding vacation time won't be a problem.

As these plots intertwine, Dunston runs amok, throwing the hotel into chaos and its manager into more than the usual state of anxiety.

Unlike in many animal comedies, the beast, Dunston, is given a well-drawn personality. He's sort of a hairy Robin Williams, given to manic outbursts and irrational (even for an ape) behavior.

And Sam is just the orangutan for the role. Oddly charismatic, the ape succeeds not only in eliciting laughs but also at times actually evoking pity.

As the hotel manager, Alexander is an engaging nice guy. His portrayal nicely offsets Dunaway's. She comes off as equal parts Cruella DeVille and Leona Helmsley.

But Paul Reubens (also known as Pee-wee Herman) turns in the most riveting performance as a crazed animal-control officer determined to neutralize Dunston.

Although the screenplay by John Hopkins and Bruce Graham relies too much on formula, the laughs are frequent. Director Ken Kwapis could have found a brisker pace for the film - but again, things move along smoothly enough to stave off boredom.

As a children's film, ``Dunston Checks In'' is nowhere near as intelligent as ``A Little Princess'' or a few other recent high-quality films that have been ignored at the box office. But as a harmless time-waster, it's more than adequate.

Dunston Checks In **

A 20th Century Fox release playing at Salem Valley 8. 85 min. Rated PG for toilet jokes and one sexually suggestive situation.

LENGTH: Medium:   57 lines
ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO:   Jason Alexander is the manager of the Majestic Hotel, 
          where Dunston the orangutan wreaks havoc in ``Dunston Checks In.''