CCC Reviews

Planet of the Apes

This is not a remake. Do not go in to this movie thinking that it is a remake. It has the same basic theme and plotline, but it is by no means anywhere close to a remake. Consider it a different adaptation of the original story written by Pierre Boulle. In fact, the only significant relation to the 1968 version is the fact that Charleton Heston makes a cameo.

In Tim Burton's rendition, Mark Wahlberg plays Leo Davidson, a Captain in the United States Air Force. He is in charge of a group of genetically enhanced chimpanzees, trained to pilot small scout craft in order to not risk the lives of humans aboard his ship. One day, there is a fierce solar storm and his best chimp is sent out to take readings. The chimp is lost in the storm and against orders, Leo gets in pod B and is lost in the storm as well.

Leo is torn through a portal of some kind and winds up on a planet that is definitely not friendly towards him. He is immediately taken capture with a small group of humans by a detachment of giant, talking ape soldiers. He is taken to a trader by the name of Limbo who sells Leo to a human sympathizer (under great persuasion), Ari, who is the daughter of Senator Nado.

After the first night, Leo makes his move to escape the apes with Daena and her family. However, the apes are soon alerted of their escape and a search begins. Lucky for Leo, Ari finds him first and she and former General Krull accompany him back to the landing site of his pod.

In the end, Leo is the last hope that the humans have against the apes. He has a spirit that they have not seen for ages, a victorious, determined attitude that they hope will lead them to freedom.

Although the dialogue blatantly sucks and I really don't want to see a love scene between an ape and a human (isn't that how we got AIDS and stuff?). This film is fun to watch, because of it's set design, costume design and special effects. It also has Burton's signature twists and renditions. Although not nearly as good as Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Sleepy Hollow or even the original Planet of the Apes it's worth at least a rental.


Scores for Planet of the Apes
RyoKazama534: - "Visually stunning and plot decent, but lacks depth."

Cast
Capt. Leo Davidson - Mark Wahlberg
General Thade - Tim Roth
Ari - Helena Bonham Carter
Colonel Attar - Michael Clarke Duncan
Limbo - Paul Giamatti
Daena - Estella Warren
General Krull - Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa
Sandar - David Warner
Tival - Erick Avari
Birn - Luke Eberl
Gunnar - Evan Dexter Parke
Senator Nado - Glenn Shadix
Karubi - Kris Kristopherson
Bon - Freda Foh Shen
Commander Karl Vasich - Chris Ellis
Thade's Father - Charelton Heston

Crew
Director - Tim Burton
Novel - Pierre Boulle
Screenplay - William Broyles Jr.
Screenplay - Lawrence Konner
Screenplay - Mark Rosenthal
Producer - Richard Zanuck
Associate Producer - Ross Fanger
Associate Producer - Katterli Frauenfelder
Executive Producer - Ralph Winter
Original Music - Danny Elfman
Cinematography - Phillippe Rousselot
Film Editing - Chris Lebenzon
Casting - Denise Chamian