Cast
Leo (Mark
Wahlberg)
Thade
(Tim Roth)
Ari (Helena
Bonham Carter)
Attar
(Michael Clarke Duncan)
Limbo
(Paul Giamatti)
Directed
by Tim Burton
Written
by William Broyles, Jr., Lawrence Konner and Mark Rosenthal,
based on the novel by Pierre Boulle
Rated
PG-13 for action violence
Running
Time: 110 minutes Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Planet
of the Apes is a very dry re-imagination of the
classic 1968 sci-fi film. The film opens with Air force/space
pilot Leo Davidson (Wahlberg) crash landing on a wilderness
planet. Within minutes, walking and talking apes are chasing
him. He is captured and then taken to Ape City along with
many other captured humans. Leo learns that on this planet,
apes rule and humans are used as slaves. Leo then decides
he must escape and get back home. He and a group of humans
escape with the help of Ari (Carter), who is a human activist
ape. The ape leader of justice, General Thade (Roth), and
his right-hand man, Attar (Duncan), assemble forces and set
out to recapture the human that defies the apes.
Tim Burton
is a very imaginative and talented filmmaker, but I have to
say that this is really the first film by him that I didnt
care for. Problem after problem arises in this film, even
though there are some very admirable things in it.
Burtons
vision is unexplainable and he stated that this isnt
a remake of the 1968 version of Planet of the Apes, it is
just a re-imagination. The sets and the movement that Burton
visualizes for the apes are very cool. However, his sequencing
is flaky, mostly because he had a horrible script to work
with. Burton tries to make this film sci-fi, dark, colorful,
humorous and even stunning. The film really just becomes complicated,
filled with holes, and the feel of trying to capture something
that isnt there. I have a lot of respect for Tim Burton,
but I hope that there isnt a sequel to this film.
William
Broyles, Jr., Lawrence Konner, and Mark Rosenthal all collaborated
on the weak script of this film. Burton does what he can with
the story, but the writers hardly help him. The whole question
of why and the secrets that lie within the apes come out to
be very dull answers. It seemed that the writers wanted it
to be surprising. There are also characters that are just
standing and walking around without any characterization.
An example is the woman female lead Daena (Warren). She is
supposed to be the love interest for Leo, but she has a couple
of lines and absolutely no depth. It might have been better
if she wouldnt have spoken at all. There are also cop-outs
in the script, in which one involves bringing a gun into the
story. It was a very weak choice. It does seem that the writers
tried to take certain things from the original film and revamp
them, but it doesnt work.
Mark
Wahlberg shows really no reactive feelings to the audience.
An example is when he arrives on the planet; there is not
real shock in his facial expressions when he sees the apes.
Remember how freaked out Charlton Heston was in the original?
I really like Mark Wahlberg and I think he is a pure movie
star. However, I would like for him to go back to the character
driven roles, where he really shines. Tim Roth gives the best
performance in this film as the always-angry General ape,
Thade. Roths mannerisms and facial glares are intriguing
and in a lot of moments he is the best thing to watch on the
screen. Helena Bonham Carter is also good in this film as
the human activist ape Ari. Like Roth, her facial expressions
are strong, even though she has a lot of makeup on.
Staying
on the subject of makeup, Rick Baker just doesnt stop
amazing me with his work. The makeup in this film is fantastic
and Baker can add another Oscar to his collection for his
work in this film. He has done makeup in such films as Nutty
Professor, The Grinch, Men in Black and An American Werewolf
in London.
Planet
of the Apes has some good things in it, but it doesnt
capture what it reaches for. Also, the ending of this film
is ridiculous, and as much as I dont want Burton do
a sequel, I believe there will be one.
Report
Card Grade: C-
07/31/01
Beastmans
Movie Reviews
Copyright,
2001 Joseph C. Tucker
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