I honestly don't know what to think about this. On one hand, oh, my God, two chimps accompanied their human counterparts to watch Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in a movie theater, that's adorable. On the other hand, it's crazy and something I never thought I would actually be writing about, so I'm just a little stunned right now. Regardless, it's a great story: According to ABC News, two chimps from the Myrtle Beach Safari in South Carolina were treated to a night at the movies by their human buddies so they, like everyone else in the world, could see Dawn of the Planet of the Apes in a movie theater.
Apparently, the two chimps — named Vali and Sugriva — paid for their own tickets, bought their own concessions (see the adorable photo above), and sat next to their humans during the movie. From ABC News:
During the film, the two chimps were seen responding just like the humans surrounding them, with Sugriva turning away during a dramatic scene and Vali clenching his companion’s hand.
Even more adorable! But that's not even the best part — the reaction that came from others in the theater with the chimps is even better. Patrons, according to Myrtle Beach Safari Owner Bhagavan Antle speaking to The Daily Mail , were concerned that the chimps might actually learn from the movie and get ideas to take over the world. Seriously.
“A couple of people said very clearly, ‘Are you sure they should watch this movie, won't they learn to take over the world?,’” said Myrtle Beach Safari Owner Bhagavan Antle, according to the U.K.’s The Daily Mail. “There were several people actually concerned about that.”
I know it would totally suck and everything if chimps did take over the world, but it would also be kind of undeniably hilarious if taking them to see a Planet of the Apes remake in theaters was the cause. Like, is making a movie about apes taking over the world really what will lead to apes (or chimps, in this case) taking over the world? Alanis Morissette would have to rerecord another version of "Ironic" to literally be just about that event, because it would be the definition of irony.
Also, it would be terrible and probably the cause of a lot of pain, according to an expert who pointed out that if chimps did indeed take over the world, "[they] are as strong as six men—they’re very powerful and very smart. Chimps like to remove faces, fingers, and male genitalia, so they can definitely put a hurting on you. I’ve seen one chimp that was under a year old bounce a guy’s head off the ground like a basketball! So full-grown chimps capable of using weapons and machinery? That would be a scary thing."
That said, here's a video of Vali and Sugriva enjoying the film!
Image: ABC News
