Ape vs. Monster: In Staunch Defense of Americana
Disclaimer: THIS DOES NOT REPRESENT THE VIEWS ON AMERICANA OF JOEY.NEWS NOR DOES IT REPRESENT THE COMPANY’S INTERPRETATION OF APE VS. MONSTER
Introduction
Much has been written about the 2021 instant classic Ape vs. Monster. The sixth, and in this humble journalist’s opinion, best of director and reputed auteur Daniel Lusko’s filmography, AvM tends to be reviewed as a film which positions itself as the logical end point of the conflict between humanity’s quest for greatness, and the unforeseen, often tragic consequences our discoveries lead to. This is, supposedly, shown in a starkly literal brawl between a grand scientific achievement, portrayed, with Lusko’s typical witty stylings, by our species’ direct, inferior descendant, and a pitiful mutated lizard which had pain and suffering thrust upon itself indirectly by the actions of the film’s human characters- our protagonists, no less!
To most cinephiles, I’m sure this reading of the film does not seem very fresh. It is essentially impossible to discuss the film, online or otherwise, without at least one member of the conversation promoting it as Lusko’s certain intended vision. Saying otherwise is sacrilegious; attempting to poll members of the Reddit forum r/Lusko on their thoughts of conflicting theories were prematurely ended when I was given a 24 hour ban for suggesting what the mods called “nonsense.” Similar results were yielded when I tried posting the poll on adjacent subreddits, including r/apevsgila, r/Apevsmonster, r/ApevsmonsterNSFW, r/avmmemes and r/murphyposting. The Ape vs. Monster community simply does not want to see another side of this debate, and it is with this in mind that I consider myself to be very brave for writing this article. For it is here that I shall propose what I consider to be the absolute truth of our beloved Ape and Monster duo. In some respects, this does make me a hero. So you’re welcome. You’re welcome for my WILLINGNESS to share abject TRUTH with you simpletons, you sardines packed into a can of lies, you FOOLS. You’re welcome for the permission I provide you to breathe original thoughts. You’re so, so welcome.
I have rewatched this film tirelessly since it was released two years ago and have yet to find any holes within the following argument, holes that simply are present in the frankly vague traditional interpretation, which I am hereby referring to as the “man vs. man” theory. So grab yourself a snack and a glass of orange juice, and try not to reach through the screen, cause here we go with the ultimate Ape vs. Monster theory- what I will call the “America vs. world” theory. You’ll see why soon. ;)
Part I: Abraham and the Value of Laissez-Faire Capitalism
Let us begin this definitive discussion regarding Ape Vs. Monster by classifying where the ape himself fits into the picture. Abraham is a chimpanzee astronaut who returns to earth influenced by strange, alien fluid, an influence which is eventually revealed to be malicious, and something Abraham must overcome. He is portrayed by stunning, ahead of its time VFX work, rivaling the CGI of Avatar and Yogi Bear.
Abe has been correctly identified as an allegorical character by “man vs. man” scholars, but what such narrow minded folk fail to realize is exactly what he represents. Lusko’s previous metaphors within films such as Top Gunner and 500 MPH Storm are comprehensive, deliberate, and leave no room for error or misidentification. While I concede he has experimented here with a subtler approach, I refuse to accept that his methodical process has too been replaced by uncharacteristic bluntness. If Abraham truly represents man’s ultimate ambition, why does he ultimately become his own individual force, one that the United States government must make peace with rather than work to control? Some have posited that he represents the inevitability of self-aware AI, but as Lusko is a documented technophobe who lives alone self-sufficiently in a drafty log cabin in the middle of a remote freezing cold forest, I doubt he would be able to portray a character ostensibly representing his greatest fears so positively.
I think there is far greater evidence supporting my theory, that Abraham is a stand-in for the free market economy. Consider it. He is created by the government but by the end of the film is left entirely to his own devices, only given great power by outside sources. He resists foreign influences and strongly asserts himself as dominant and healthy. He loves the citizens of the United States and would do anything to protect them. And, just like what would happen in a hypothetical America untouched by the slightest stain of socialism, Abraham’s free market self-identifies a problem (in this case a giant lizard monster, perhaps hypothetically a lot of poor people) and quickly stamps it out. The evidence is, quite simply, overwhelming.
If you’re somehow still unconvinced, I urge you to think about Abraham’s name for more than two seconds, cretin. Images of former United States president Abraham Lincoln (one of the most famous Abrahams) should quickly fill your mind. Now, who else is a beloved former United States president? Hm, oh, that’s right, only Herbert Hoover! One of history’s greatest defenders and practitioners of laissez-faire capitalism, and yes, a United States president, just like Abraham Lincoln, who shares a first name with our Abraham the Ape. That’s only two degrees of separation- incredibly unlikely to be a coincidence given Lusko’s reputation as a very detail-oriented director. Abraham is definitively free market capitalism, beyond a shadow of a doubt, there’s nothing you can say or do to disprove that, ever, so there.
Part II: Gila and the Invisible Hand
Now before I continue on with this beautiful argument, I should like to settle yet another major debate in the Ape vs. Monster fandom, that being the name (or rather, lack thereof) given to the film’s second titular character and primary antagonist, the lizard monster itself. Identified by the film proper only as the “Monster,” there has been quite a bit of debate over what to refer to this creature as. For those who subscribe to the “man vs. man” theory, I suppose it must seem quite demeaning to refer to what is ultimately a victim of human overreach as a monster, the implication inherent to such a name being that the individual should be shunned for circumstances quite beyond its control. The alternative name “Gila” was soon introduced and caused a fair amount of uproar, though it has also been rapidly accepted into most circles. While other, compromissory names have been proposed, such as “Gila Monster” and “Darryl,” I will be using “Gila” for the purposes of this article, since it is the most widely accepted within contemporary forums. However, I believe that this trouble with naming the character is emblematic of a greater issue, one that Lusko clearly sought to promote, and that is Gila’s utter lack of individuality.
Where Abraham has motivation, Gila has animalistic instinct. While Abraham has a direct personal connection to our human protagonists, Gila is an almost out of context wrench thrown into their best laid plans. Though Abraham has personal autonomy, Gila ends up controlled by malevolent space aliens. And while Abraham is a representation of an entire economic system, it is my belief that Gila simply represents one inevitable and quickly defeated problem introduced to said system. Note how helpless the American government is to stop Gila, and yet Abraham makes short work of the poor lizard. Lusko’s thesis statement is obvious. Closed capitalist systems regulate themselves far better than the government ever could, and should be left entirely to their own devices.
With this resolved, I should also like to use this section to discuss one of the most oft-debated aspects of this film, one which the “man vs. man” theory rather infamously has no definitive answer for: the presence of space aliens. If Gila is a routine problem that the capitalist system will tirelessly work to resolve, what should we consider its controllers? Within the context of Lusko’s grand metaphor, I think it is easy to position the aliens as not just an outside force illegally influencing the economy, but a foreign outside force. Yes, it is my belief (and I am certain Lusko’s intention) that the aliens are stand-ins for most, perhaps all other countries in the world. For America is truly an island; it only stands to reason that the rest of the world, of varying degrees of inferiority, would seek to ruin our utopia out of utter jealousy. But fear not, my fellow patriots, for as Lusko shows, their efforts will always be in vain. Nothing can topple America’s incredible, self-sustaining economy, and quite simply nothing ever will.
Part III: Potential Counterarguments
It is my intention that this theory will go on to be the dominant interpretation of Ape vs. Monster. I therefore deemed it necessary to make it as airtight and resistant to scrutiny as possible. Now, if you’ve read through my entire article up until this point, and still disagree with my conclusion, I urge you to reread. Go ahead, I’ll wait.
…
Still disagree? That makes you a communist.
It is my intention to use this section to dispel any and all counterarguments a reasonable, sentient American may have. As there are none, I will move on to my conclusion.
Conclusion
It is with a heavy heart and noble mind that I conclude my wordsmithing here today, for I have said all which needs to be said. The vast, insurmountable evidence that Ape vs. Monster is a metaphor for the unrestrained capitalism that Daniel Lusko (and I!) wish to see America adapt is all simply too powerful for your feeble minds to resist. You have no option but to embrace my interpretation- nay, my TRUTHFUL GAZE of the film as gospel. So the next time you sit down and watch the 21st century’s Citizen Kane, remember my words. I am positive they will add even more fascinating layers to this beautiful film.
Works Cited
People, Various. “Ape vs. Monster.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, September 2, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ape_vs._Monster.