Film Review: Planet of the Apes (2001)

Sequels, remakes and reboots – it seems that they are the only things that Hollywood can produce these days. But even in the past films were subjected to those treatment, even the undisputed genre classics like 1968 science fiction film Planet of the Apes. It spawned its own film series with each new instalment, predictably, failing to make the impact of the original. In 2001 the series was rebooted with an enormously expensive and ambitious eponymous film directed by Tim Burton.

The film begins in 2029, when US military at the deep space station conducts all kinds of experiments with chimpanzees and other apes with genetically enhanced intelligence. When the capsule with one of his pets is swallowed by strange phenomenon that distorts time and space, Captain Leo Davidson (played by Mark Wahlberg) conducts the rescue mission. But the same phenomenon swallows his own capsule and the brave astronaut finds himself on a strange alien planet inhabited by intelligent apes that have built their own civilisation. To make things even intriguing, Davidson also finds members of homo sapiens species that are treated as inferior species by apes and used for slave labour. Leo falls prey to slave-hunting apes, but he is fortunate to be sold to Ari (played by Helena Bonham-Carter), ape who happens to be daughter of influential senator and also an idealist who champions human rights. With her help, Davidson leads group of escaped human slaves that includes beautiful Daena (played by Estelle Warren) to the wreck of his ship. They are being pursued by an army led by ruthless and man-hating general Thade (played by Tim Roth). Leo and his followers try to evade them and reach Forbideen Zone, where they would encounter the shocking revelation about the origins of ape world.

Tim Burton was somewhat odd choice for directing new version of science fiction classic, because most of his best known works were films with more old-fashioned Gothic themes and atmosphere. While making this film, he had to face two major issues. First, he had to be faithful to original while delivering something new at the same time. Second, the basic premise didn’t have as much allegorical power at the beginning of 21st Century as it had been in 1960s, when it was seen as authors’ comment on Cold War anxieties, racism and US civil rights issues. Burton did succeed with the first task – script by William Broyles Jr, Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal is in some ways better than Rod Serling’s 1968 script because it gives more detailed and somewhat convincing explanation how protagonist arrives to the strange new ape world. It also pays a lot of homage to the original, including some of memorable dialogue lines like the one originally said by protagonist played by Charlton Heston (who here repeats while playing old ape in small cameo). On the other hand, Burton doesn’t show any interest to deal with any important social, political or cultural issue and anything is reduced to one-dimensional and rather predictable science fiction action adventure which includes “politically incorrect” division between Good and Bad Guys, latter not being represented by a single human.

Burton, on the other hand, uses this as an opportunity to show his skills in creating new worlds on the screen. Ape civilisation is depicted in ingenious and effective ways, thanks to very good special effects, costumes by Colleen Atwood, production design by Rick Heinrichs and really impressive make up by veteran artist Rick Baker. The cast, on the other hand, isn’t anything to write home about. Although Tim Roth, despite heavy makeup, delivers strong performance as villain and Helena Bohnam Carter under same makeup looks more human than in some of her previous roles, most of their colleagues leave too much to be desired. Wahlberg plays his role with the same results you might have expected from someone like Jean-Claude Van Damme, while former swimmer and fashion model Estella Warren clearly shows that she was cast merely as an “eye candy”. All that could be forgiven, if Burton didn’t try to challenge fate by trying to deliver plot twist near the end that would be more spectacular and shocking than the original. Its predictable failure, resulting in too many plot holes and unanswered questions (left for the sequel that never got made), angered many fans of the original film. Judged by its own merit, Burton’s Planet of the Apes is flawed but sufficiently entertaining work, at least for those viewers who don’t feel too attached to 1968 version. Despite solid results at the box office, poor reviews and Burton’s refusal to touch this subject again made 20th Century Fox drop plans for a sequel. Instead, in 2011 another reboot under title Rise of the Planet of the Apes was launched, leading to three more sequels (the last being scheduled for 2024 release).

RATING: 5/10 (++)

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