It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

All of these films share one commonality, that being a kind of emotional center that humanizes a cast of monsters.

The film's masterful storytelling did its job. The message was clear. No need to overdo.

It is interesting even when nothing much happens, which is for most of its 3-hour running time. Read full review

Forget script, forget plot and don't concern yourself with character arc, this movie is about fun. A monkey and man relationship that questions our own desires, pain and spiritual fulfillment is what this fantastic film is about. During a time in the mid nineties when "The English Patient" and "The Shawshank Redemption" were filling movie theatres, "Ed" was overlooked, but now considered a post modern classic. I will call it the "Citizen Kane of man/monkey movies, beating out 'Every Which Way But Loose" and "How To Commit A Marriage'. Matt LeBlanc shows what human evolution is really about as he and his companion join together to accomplish their dreams and show the world that man and monkey can live in harmony.

Matt LeBlanc, like all his Friends castmates, was testing the waters of film, but "Ed" was perhaps a misfortune that tainted any hopes of success during the late 90s (he would recover, but not in film necessarily). The animatronics wizardry aside of the Ed chimp, this film was not exactly wisely conceived. A chimp playing baseball, outperforming players on the field, and throwing a ball so hard and fast it smoked through the mitts of his teammates is a bit too far-fetched for many of us to accept. This is silly nonsense meant to give kiddies the giggles. My son was finding it entertaining, at least. On the most juvenile level, "Ed" might be tolerable, but I personally found it particularly ridiculous. Jayne Brook is well cast as a single mother love interest for LeBlanc, who stars as a fastball pitching prospect who just can't get his act together *on the field*, even though it's clear his stuff could be good if he could not give up hits and homeruns. Poor Jack Warden is stuck in the role of minor league manager, trying to bring some veteran mojo to this critically brutalized comedy. I just felt bad for the late actor. His talent is so superior to such piffle as this. LeBlanc is rather trapped in a humiliating misfire here. This is the kind of film that leaves a lasting stain. The chimp driving the truck with a drunk Matt in the passenger's seat bumping around, and Ed turning cartwheels in flight catching hit balls further elaborates how stupid this all is. Just for those kids who find such primate antics cute or masochists who like to revel in bad comedies.

It looks like everyone here at IMDb is pretty unanimous about this film - it stinks! And, as a movie billed as "family film," it's an insult and a bad joke.Yeah, there are some likable characters in here and I would be lying if I didn't admit I laughed at a number of gags but I (along with two parents) was embarrassed showing this advertised "kids' film" to their children, only to hear Jesus's name used in vain twice within six minutes and then hear all kinds of sexual innuendos by the little girl in the movie. A little girl once commenting about a guy having a "great butt" and another time asking another if he's gay. Come on! Also, you can tag on the normal amount of what it called "bathroom humor." It's everywhere here. What the film is, basically, is garbage, despite the baseball angle. I usually enjoy baseball films, but I can't classify this as such. Parents: do your homework before watching some of these "family" films because some of them are the normal crude comedies of today's Hollywood.

Awful breakout film debut for Joey -- err, Matt LeBlanc -- who has been extremely stereotyped to the degree that he is starting his own post-"Friends" show dealing with his character's ongoing trials and tribulations. How sad.This one is about a country bum who finds a monkey who can play basebally very well and helps the local team win some games. A.k.a. Air Bud: The Monkey Version.This has been done to the nth-degree. I'm tired of these sports movies. And why are they ALWAYS with animals?I can't believe Jack Warden was in this.0/5 stars.Not a laugh or amusing, original idea in sight.John Ulmer