No opposable thumbs required to make a big-budget film! (Planet Of The Apes [2001] (DVD))

Member Name: ross1979

Product:	Planet Of The Apes [2001] (DVD)
Date:	17/08/01 (121 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Visual Effects, Good original storyline

Disadvantages: Poor remake, Lacks excitement

There is a spot open for even semi-decent big-budget film to come along and become THE blockbuster of the summer of 2001. Regrettably, 'Planet of the Apes', the remake of the 1968 classic starring Charlton Heston, is another huge let-down and will not fill that spot.

After the original and 3 or 4 sequels, most film fans will know the basic material which is used as the backbone of the film. What we needed was some variation, some twists, some differences and, above all, some real excitement. Unfortunately, these were in short supply and Tim Burton uses all of his predictability and dullness which he used for the batman films to create this multi-million dollar let down.

However, to the film's credit, the virtual world we were presented with, where apes rule and humans are slaves, was visually appealing and somewhat believable. The makeup team deserves a medal for their creation of the apes, which were far more intimidating and plausible than in the 1968 original. Mind you, what do you expect? It is 33 years later!

In fact, most aspects of the original are improved in the artistically superior remake - everything except the simple, clear, magical storyline which made the original a classic in the first place!

The plot follows a fearless pilot (Mark Wahlberg from 'The Perfect Storm) from 2029 as he bravely, and stupidly, tries to rescue an experimental chimp which has been lost in an odd outer-space storm of electro-magnetic radiation or something! He ends up on a crazy planet, having travelled forward in time, and soon discovers that it is just a little different from Earth. Apes have evolved to be the dominant species on the planet and humans are used as their terrified slaves and pets.

Much like the bare-chested hero in the original, Wahlberg uses his intelligence to rebel against the oppressive ape-rulers. He is aid
ed by a primate who sympathises with humans (Helena Bonham Carter), as well as the customary sexy and scantily-clad human female sidekick (Estella Warren). One must wonder where she got her silicone implants from, being part of such a primitive tribal species.

Rather than the original doom and gloom of the over-powering apes in the original, Burton tries to create comic relief by playing situations for goofy humour. Unfortunately, it is neither comic nor relief in most of the cases. The apes are created brilliantly, but there are only so many gags you can make from them taking our role in society and they did nothing for me except a somewhat forced smile!

Perhaps the best scenes in the film, somewhat predictably, are the action scenes. Quite well done and visually impressive to an extent never imaginable in the era of the original. I think the battle scene is the only memory I will take from this film which will last for anything more than a few days. However, the clear-cut direction and purposeful plot of the original far outshines this scrambled effort. The ending seemed to leave a general feeling of emptyness and confusion in the audience at this advanced screening. I'm all for thought-provoking endings, it left me pondering for a while. I only wish the same amount of thought had gone into the film!

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