Planet Of The Apes (2001)

Ever since it’s release in the 1960's the original “Planet Of The Apes” film has been regarded by many as a classic work of science fiction cinema. Even several sequels of varying quality couldn’t dent it’s status as a classic but can it survive the perils of being re-made (or, as the studio would say “re-imagined”) as a modern Hollywood blockbuster?

The basic story is both similar and different to the original film (and Pierre Boulle’s book that both are based on). Like in the original an astronaut (here played by ex-pop star Mark Wahlberg replacing the iconic Charlton Heston) encounters what Star Trek would inevitably describe as a “spatial anomaly” and finds himself crash-landing on a planet ruled by intelligent apes, with humans as their slaves.

Wahlberg wastes no time in encountering the obligatory group of rebellious humans and soon after is captured by the apes and sold to an ape slave trader Limbo (played by Paul Giamatti). Fortunately for him, he is bought by an ape (played by Helena Bonham Carter) who believes that humans should have rights as well. He quickly manages to make a (ludicrously easy) escape, which seems to consist of walking slowly in random directions and inexplicably finds himself the leader of several thousands rebelling humans. Naturally, the apes aren’t too happy at this turn of events and the rather nasty General Thade (Tim Roth) sets out to destroy the revolting humans.

And so, the plot meanders on until one of the most absurd endings in cinema history which tries to surpass the original’s famous twist ending but instead ends up making no sense at all. Indeed, listening to director Tim Burton’s commentary on the DVD shows that even he doesn’t understand the ending and is instead reduced to spouting incoherent and unintentionally amusing gibberish for 10 minutes whilst trying to 'explain' it. The plot problems sadly don’t start with the ending, although the problems with the rest of the film are more easily overlooked ranging from ludicrous physics to a hero who saves the day despite hardly doing anything useful in the entire film.

Fortunately, it’s not all bad news as despite the inadequacies of the plot, the rest of the production is quite solid. The ape make-up is unsurprisingly decades ahead of the original’s and the ape actors (especially Giamatti, Roth and David Warner) all perform well in their roles. Unfortunately the humans aren’t as good, Kris Kristofferson is as reliable as ever but is given little to do and Wahlberg is bland and dull and, in short, everything Charlton Heston wasn’t in the original. Heston is also in this movie in a cameo appearance as General Thade’s father and throughout the film there are a number of occasionally amusing references to the original films.

The direction is competent, the special effects are nice enough and the costume and background design is uniformly excellent. The musical score is a good example of epic film music, unfortunately there isn’t an epic film here to go with it.

In summary, this is a well-made but very poorly scripted film. The generally high production values make it perfectly watchable but as a sci-fi film it’s a pale imitation of the original.

Rating : 5 / 10

Click here to buy the DVD at Amazon.co.uk

Click here to buy the DVD of all five original Planet Of The Apes movies.

All content ©2003 William Marnoch.

Comments? Agree/Disagree with the Reviews? Suggestions? Random Ramblings? Whatever you might want to say, feel free to e-mail me at william@wmarnoch.freeserve.co.uk .