Go Ape!
The Planet of the Apes series has been one of the most imaginative and also most frustrating. Just as the ideas become more intriguing, the budget becomes smaller. Here's the whole series, the highest and the lowest.
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- DirectorFranklin J. SchaffnerStarsCharlton HestonRoddy McDowallKim HunterAn astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet where highly intelligent non-human ape species are dominant and humans are enslaved.The one that started it all. Pierre Boulle's novel featured astronauts who land on a new planet, with a technologically advanced ape civilization. One finally escapes and comes back home to find it altered. The movie went a slightly different route, but covered most of the same themes. It's a triumph of writing, acting, and scenery, as well as a tremendous allegory. This is truly an ensemble, though much of the burden is on Heston.
- DirectorTed PostStarsJames FranciscusKim HunterMaurice EvansThe sole survivor of an interplanetary rescue mission searches for the only survivor of the previous expedition. He discovers a planet ruled by apes and an underground city run by telepathic humans.In a rare move, Planet of the Apes got a sequel. Charlton Heston wasn't interested in repeating, so, he disappears quickly. James Franciscus takes over as the lead and discovers what lies in the Forbidden Zone. More allegory ensues and we meet a nuclear nightmare. Not quite as good as the first; but, still filled with intriguing imagery and ideas. It does require patience. Roddy McDowell is greatly missed, as Cornelius, though James Gregory makes a fine addition to things, as General Ursus.
- DirectorDon TaylorStarsRoddy McDowallKim HunterBradford DillmanThe world is shocked by the appearance of three talking chimpanzees, who arrived mysteriously in a U.S. spacecraft. They become the toast of society, but one man believes them to be a threat to the human race.The Ape formula is reversed, as Cornelius and Zira are thrust back into the world of man, before the fall. Now we try to decide if we are watching an inevitable cycle or a new timeline. Can the future be stopped or a new future created? It starts out lighter but gets very dark by the end. Roddy McDowell and Kim Hunter carry this film, though there are fine performances from all involved, especially Eric Braeden and Ricardo Montalban.
- DirectorJ. Lee ThompsonStarsRoddy McDowallDon MurrayRicardo MontalbanIn a futuristic world that has embraced ape slavery, Caesar, the son of the late simians Cornelius and Zira, surfaces after almost twenty years of hiding out from the authorities, and prepares for a slave revolt against humanity.In previous films, we learned of the Ape who spoke the word, "No." Now we see it happen, as Caesar is thrust into a fascist city and sees the treatment of his kind, as well as the loss of a loved one. The inevitable clash between man and ape is at hand; but, what will be the outcome? This one is very dark and the ending was altered after a pre-screening. Roddy McDowell is at the heart of this one.
- DirectorJ. Lee ThompsonStarsRoddy McDowallClaude AkinsNatalie TrundyTen years after a worldwide series of ape revolutions and a brutal nuclear war among humans, Caesar must protect survivors of both species from an insidious human cult and a militant ape faction alike.We are still left wondering if we are exploring the established history of the ape civilization or a possible alternate timeline, as man and ape must venture into the destroyed city, looking for answers. Violence upsets the ape world, as it faces threats from without and within. The budget is really low now, and the screen has trouble supporting the ideas. Roddy has a tough slog here, though we get Paul Williams and Claude Aikins as new ape characters, plus John Huston as the Lawgiver.
- CreatorAnthony WilsonStarsRoddy McDowallRon HarperJames NaughtonTwo astronauts and a sympathetic chimp friend are fugitives in a future Earth dominated by a civilization of humanoid apes.The Apes franchise moved to tv, with a slightly altered look at things. Two astronauts arrive in this future world and find themselves as fugitives, aided by a sympathetic ape, Galen. In this world, humans can talk; but, they are slaves. This allowed for more dialogue, but less interesting stories. It didn't last long, though it has moments. Unfortunately, most were early on in the series. Roddy McDowell continues as the heart of the series.
- CreatorDavid H. DePatieFriz FrelengStarsAustin StokerPhilippa HarrisHenry CordenWhile on a mission, three astronauts in their spaceship get caught in a time vortex. They return to Earth in the year 3979 A.D. and discover that intelligent apes are now the highest form of life.TV wasn't quite done with the Apes series. This animated series, from DePatie-Freleng Studios, features three new astronauts who land on the Planet of the Apes. This is an alternate Apes, as the Ape civilization is more technologically advanced, as in Boulle's novel. We get to see the underground world of the mutants, as well as the mute humans. We also get to see Cornelius, Zira, Dr Zaius, and Gen. Urko, who was a carryover from the live action series. Unfortunately, the movie principles did not voice the characters. Doug Wildey, who created Jonny Quest, designed the series, which looks great, though the animation is very limited, even for the time. The stories were top notch though and we even get a return for Brent.
- DirectorKevin BurnsDavid ComtoisStarsRoddy McDowallMort AbrahamsCharlton HestonThe story behind the making of the 5 "Planet of the Apes" movies.Excellent documentary created for AMC and included in the Planet of the Apes box set. It covers the creation and evolution of the Apes series, up through the tv years, with interviews and behind-the-scenes footage galore, including excerpts from the make-up test, with Edward G Robinson, James Brolin, and Linda Harrison. Hosted by Roddy McDowell and featuring just about everyone who was alive, at the time.
- DirectorTim BurtonStarsMark WahlbergHelena Bonham CarterTim RothIn 2029, an Air Force astronaut crash-lands on a mysterious planet where evolved, talking apes dominate a race of primitive humans.As seems inevitable in Hollywood, Planet of the Apes got a remake, from Tim Burton. It was touted as more faithful to the source; but that proved highly arguable. As it stands, it is extremely unsatisfying, with no new ideas added, a lot of hammy acting, and more violence. The twist ending is in the spirit of the novel but falls flat. Stick with the originals.
- DirectorRupert WyattStarsJames FrancoAndy SerkisFreida PintoA substance designed to help the brain repair itself gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising.Franchises can't sit idle and Apes was no different. However, this time, we get something different. We return to the roots of things, a bit, as the film is used as an allegory for current issues, such as medical experiments on animals, research into gene therapies, the environment, and tampering with nature. It's handled quite well and makes for very satisfying viewing. The CGI seems no less artificial than the masks and make-up of the past; but, there are some really amazing scenes.
- DirectorMatt ReevesStarsGary OldmanKeri RussellAndy SerkisThe fragile peace between apes and humans is threatened as mistrust and betrayal threaten to plunge both tribes into a war for dominance over the Earth.Sequel to Rise (though the sequence of titles seems backward). Caesar and his people are off in their own, in the woods, while human civilization is crumbling, thanks to a super-virus. Man and ape are brought back together. Can they coexist or is the destruction of one or both inevitable? It continues the high watermark of the previous film.