Cast Makes Better-Than-Average Animal Flick

At last, the orangutan void created when Clint Eastwood failed to follow up “Any Which Way You Can” has been filled. And Sam, the simian star of the family comedy, “Dunston Checks In,” is just the orangutan to do it.

Trained as a jewel thief, Dunston checks into a posh hotel with his snotty owner (Rupert Everett). This is one well-trained primate: Sam has a dozen, distinct expressions (that’s 11 more than Pauly Shore), ranging from a beatific “smile” to the sad little look he uses to respond to his trainer’s threats. You know he’s probably only giving his co-stars hugs because they have secret pieces of fruit tucked behind their ears, but he’s adorable and you love him, anyway.

In the movie, Dunston befriends little Eric Lloyd (“The Santa Clause”), whose father (“Seinfeld’s” Jason Alexander) manages the hotel. The boy and his hominoid have food fights, they trash a hotel room and they avenge themselves against stuffy, uptight adults, and that’s pretty much the whole story.

What makes “Dunston Checks In” better than average is its attention to detail, especially its interesting peek at the mechanics of running a hotel. The cast also is way better than you’re accustomed to seeing in this sort of movie, which is to say that Steve Guttenberg and Shelley Long are nowhere to be found. Everett is memorable as the sneering bad guy, Faye Dunaway is hilariously venal as the hotel’s Leona Helmsley-like owner (“I like obsessive people - they get things done!”), Alexander does a great slow burn, and Lloyd is a sweet, winning kid who never pushes it. Best of the lot is Paul Reubens (a k a Pee Wee Herman), playing a delusional soldier of misfortune who sees the hotel as his own, private Mekong Delta.

Yes, you may wish “Dunston Checks In” were a little funnier or a little more original. But it’s a pretty good time and, except for a couple of bad words and one nasty notwashing-hands-after-peeing incident, parents can feel pretty good about enjoying it with their kids.

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: “Dunston Checks In” Location: East Sprague, Newport and Coeur d’Alene cinemas Credits: Directed by Ken Kwapis; starring Jason Alexander, Eric Lloyd, Faye Dunaway, Sam Running time: 1:28 Rating: PG