“Schlock” is a spoof 50s monster films and ape movies that is also the first picture directed by John Landis (“Coming To America”, “Spies Like Us”). It’s definitely got some really funny moments but it has a very awkward style. Some of the time, the pay-off is not worth the long wait.

A small American town is terrorised by the ‘Banana Killer’, who turns out to be the ape creature Schlock (Landis). The incompetent police try to capture the monster to end his reign of terror. However, the creature keeps eluding them while he continues his bizarre interactions with human civilisation.

Landis not only directed the movie but also starred as Schlock. It’s pretty funny to imagine him directing this film while dressed in an ape costume. Schlock is actually pretty amusing and expressive at times. Credit for the costume has to go to Rick Baker, who has become one of the most famous make-up artists in Hollywood. Some of the other characters provide a few chuckles. One character that Schlock takes a particular shine to is a blind girl that initially mistakes him for a dog. Their initial interaction goes on for an uncomfortably long period of time. I get that it makes it funnier in some ways but it also comes across as tedious.

There are some genuinely funny moments in here such as when Schlock meets a journalist. However, you also have a part where they show an entire scene from the movie “The Blob”. There are some more subtle jokes such as when the movie poster at the cinema keeps changing and there are some great references to “2001: A Space Odyssey” (you can see the “See You Next Wednesday” gag repeated in many of Landis’ films). I definitely did not dislike this film but like Landis’ “Kentucky Fried Movie”, I thought it could have been a lot better.