Plot: Professor Sorenson (Roddy McDowall) is a brilliant researcher who studies animals to learn about what causes inherent aggression. His latest experiment involves a baboon named Shakma, as Sorenson hopes to figure out just the chemical cocktail needed to curb the baboon’s naturally high levels of aggression. But his attempt has failed, as Shakma was violent after a procedure and now his research seems to have stalled. As a way to unwind and keep his staff’s mental skills sharp, Sorenson arranges a game that uses the research facility as a real life role playing adventure. He is the game master and his students are the heroes out to rescue a princess, while solving puzzles and avoiding dangers. This seems like harmless fun, but no one knows that Shakma is loose and has a lust for blood. As the game unfolds, Shakma begins to hunt down the players one by one and staining the walls with blood. Can anyone somehow survive this game that has turned all too real, or will Shakma claim them all as victims?

Entertainment Value: This movie features a baboon killing a bunch of Dungeons & Dragons players…sounds awesome to me. The idea of a real baboon as the killer in a horror movie is wild, but it works in Shakma. The story here is fine, but this role playing game is treated like the best thing that has ever happened. That leads us to the cast, who perform acceptably, but none of whom are likable in the least. Some are annoying, others just lame, but that works in the favor in the movie. Shakma is the real star of the movie, so rooting for the baboon to kill these chumps is part of the fun. I seriously can’t imagine anyone who would want the humans to survive in this one. The tension level is solid once the mayhem kicks in, but I would have loved a higher body count and more baboon going off the deep end hijinks. Even so, Shakma is never dull and puts the baboon to good use often. If you’re into movies where animals go on the attack, Shakma is a fun one with a strong 80s feel.

If you were hoping for a love scene between Shakma and one of the ladies, you’ll be disappointed. No nakedness in this one. On the blood end of things, we have some terrific baboon attacks on showcase. The little guy claws and bites and ambushes the poor players, leaving blood soaked floors and shredded carcasses behind. A couple of the kills stand out, but the attacks aren’t all that graphic. The aftermath looks cool, but given the insanity of using a real baboon, the actual interactions aren’t extensive. Even so, we have a nice array of bloodshed in Shakma. I also love seeing the baboon try to smash down doors and beat the shit out of a computer. Not much that stands out as far as memorable dialogue, beyond the hilariously complex discussion for the set up of the role playing game toward the film’s start. Shakma’s craziest element is obviously the baboon, but outside of that the movie never really cuts loose. I think more focus on some sleaze or more vicious attacks could have done a lot for this one. But its still a baboon attacking Dungeons & Dragons players, so…yeah.

Nudity: 0/10

Blood: 5/10

Dialogue: 1/10

Overall Insanity: 4/10