Planet of the Apes (2001) Blu-Ray Review

Rated PG-13 (Some Sequences of Action/Violence)

Running Time: 2 Hours

Cast:

Mark Wahlberg-Captain Leo Davidson

Tim Roth-General Thade

Helena Bonham Carter-Ari

Michael Clarke Duncan-Colonel Attar

Paul Giamatti-Limbo

Estella Warren-Daena

Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa-Krull

Kris Kristofferson-Karubi

David Warner-Senator Sandar

Charlton Heston-Senator Zaius

Directed by Tim Burton

Agh, so don't say hi to your mother for me?!

By summer 1973, movie audiences had grown tired of the “Planet of the Apes” franchise. The fifth and final film, “Battle for the Planet of the Apes,” had a miniscule production budget of $1.8 million and producer Arthur P. Jacobs stated from the beginning that it was going to appeal to children. Reception from fans and critics was negative and it grossed the lowest at the domestic box office with $9 million, or approximately $46 million when adjusted for inflation. Sure, 20th Century Fox could’ve continued with a sixth installment but at least they were smart enough not to…for the time being. Rumblings of a new “Planet of the Apes” film began in 1988 when the studio commissioned Adam Rifkin to write an ‘alternate sequel’ for the 1968 classic. Pre-production was set to commence when new executives arrived at 20th Century Fox, which led to creative differences and the project was abandoned. Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh pitched their idea in late 1992 where the apes were undergoing a Renaissance with series veteran Roddy McDowall playing a Leonardo da Vinci-like character. Although McDowall was enthusiastic, studio executive Tom Jacobson was seemingly unaware of the actor’s long involvement in the franchise and was not a fan of Jackson’s proposal. The infinite wisdom of studio executives never ceases to amaze me. The idea of a remake was thrown around in late 1993 when Oliver Stone became involved. Tentatively titled “Return of the Apes,” Arnold Schwarzenegger showed interest but studio executives wanted something family-friendly and clashed with writers. Chris Columbus and James Cameron tried their hand at getting the film off the ground and failed…until Tim Burton came along. Dubbing this new vision as a ‘re-imagining’ rather than a remake, “Planet of the Apes” finally arrived into theaters during summer 2001. This was my first exposure to the franchise but watching it for the second time I quickly realized that it had nothing over the 1968 classic. Yes, the production values, especially Rick Baker’s makeup, are stunning and the pacing is more action-packed but ultimately it’s all style over substance. Burton’s “Planet of the Apes” fails to provide any relevant social context that made the original timeless and instead creates an emotionally hollow action-adventure piece. 

Captain Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg) is a pilot onboard the United States Air Force space station Oberon in the year 2029. He trains genetically-enhanced primates for space missions, his favorite being a chimpanzee named Pericles. An electromagnetic storm is discovered in the vicinity and a small pod piloted by Pericles is sent to investigate. When he disappears from the radar screens, Davidson goes against his commanding officer’s orders and follows in a second pod. His ship gets trapped in the storm and he is pushed forward in time to the year 5021, crash-landing on an unknown planet. Davidson encounters a group of primitive humans and discovers to his horror that they being hunted by intelligent humanoid apes! Brought to the ape’s city to be sold as a slave, a chimpanzee named Ari (Helena Bonham Carter), who is sympathetic to the plight of humans, buys him and a woman named Daena (Estella Warren) to serve as household servants in the home of her father, Senator Sander (David Warner). Davison quickly escapes with Daena and frees a group of humans, including her father, Karubi (Kris Kristofferson). They encounter Ari and her bodyguard of sorts, Krull (Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa), who are convinced to join their cause. Determined to find answers and a way back home, Davidson and his new-found companions travel to Calima, the Forbidden Zone. Meanwhile, the sadistic General Thade (Tim Roth) and his second-in-command, Colonel Attar (Michael Clarke Duncan) begins their military campaign to wipe out the humans, once and for all. 

Although Burton’s “Planet of the Apes” shares the basic framework of the 1968 original, this film is an entirely different beast. The planet depicted is not Earth in the future but is a completely different world. The social stratification of the apes is downplayed while their technological level resembles that of the Roman Empire but most importantly, the humans can speak now. Burton infuses the film with his unique, foreboding style and everything from the sets to the atmosphere is just superb. The makeup work by Rick Baker is a quantum leap from the original franchise and completely sells the premise of a world of walking, talking simians. I also appreciated the apes taking advantage of their abilities with gorillas having brute strength and chimpanzees being extremely agile. The pacing has been quickened to be more action-packed but ultimately, what it makes up for in style, it loses in substance. The 1968 original spent the first thirty or so minutes with the astronauts exploring this new world, building up the suspense so that when the apes finally did reveal themselves, it was a genuine shock. Here, Davidson encounters the apes almost immediately after crash-landing so the impact of their appearance isn’t as strong. While the themes of racial intolerance are kept, they seem to be superfluous, lacking the social context that made the 1968 original a timeless masterpiece. There are no debates of science vs. religion and making the humans being able to communicate sacrifices what drove the series in the first place. What made Taylor unique was his ability to speak and his high intelligence. Davidson just has the intelligence but fails to stand out from the other humans. Burton’s film has all the right visual elements in place but the script is a missed opportunity, jettisoning much of the social commentary of the original. What remains is enjoyable with lowered expectations but ultimately forgettable. As for the ending, it tries to provide a shocking twist to top the original and set-up a sequel that never materialized but it makes no sense in the context of the film so I won’t even bother trying to provide an explanation. There are plenty of those floating around on the internet already. 

The acting is a mixed bag with the humans failing to engage. Mark Walhberg looks heroic but his character is saddled with a bland personality. One area that I was intrigued in was the love triangle between him, Ari and Daena. Helena Bonham Carter is strangely attractive despite all the makeup but the romance is downplayed because studio executives feared it would be ‘weird and unnatural.’ Estella Warren just tags along and does little else other than seethe with jealously when Ari and Davidson lock eyes. Tim Roth is the standout as General Thade with a ruthless, frightening presence. He moves like a chimpanzee but his cunning gives him a sort of reptilian quality. Michael Clarke Duncan makes for a visually imposing character as Colonel Attar while Paul Giamatti serves as cheap comic relief as an orangutan slave trader. There are also brief cameos of Linda Harrison and Charlton Heston, who plays Thade’s dying father. 

“Planet of the Apes” arrived on Blu-Ray in early 2007 but the picture quality lacks vibrancy and leans toward a dull color palate. Texture detail is impressive during close-ups, allowing us to appreciate the makeup work but little else stands out. This is technically proficient transfer that gets the job done. Audio is an entirely different matter, a thunderous sonic assault in all directions. A good example is when Davidson’s ship crash-lands on the planet as he slams into trees before making a loud splash at a lake. Action scenes come alive with Danny Elfman’s booming score and apes roaring as they attack. This is quite simply demo-worthy material. Special features are lacking as there’s only a commentary by Burton and the film’s theatrical trailer. 

Released on July 27, 2001, “Planet of the Apes” received mixed reviews with 45% on Rotten Tomatoes. Critics unanimously agreed that it didn’t hold a candle to the 1968 original but some found ‘the striking visuals and B-movie charms may win you over.’ With an estimated production budget of $100 million, it was a financial success earning $362 million worldwide ($462 million adjusted for inflation) so a sequel seemed likely but 20th Century Fox decided otherwise. There was also tension between Burton and the studio as production was rushed with a set deadline of summer 2001. When asked if he was interested in directing a sequel, Burton replied, ‘I'd rather jump out a window.’ A reboot awkwardly titled “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” has just been released which is an origin story for a new franchise. Ultimately, Burton’s “Planet of the Apes” fails because its themes are largely window-dressing while it was integral to the 1968 version. Still, the film has a strong visual style and for that, it’s worth a mild recommendation.

Final Rating: 3 out of 5

“Get your stinking hands off me, you damn dirty human!”