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the premier web-site of s.f, horror
& fantasy from the home of H G Wells
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Possible Spoiler Alert! SteelCaves Reviews may contain minor plot details
a review by Victoria Prince |
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Both the original 1968 film and the Tim Burton remake are based on Pierre Boulle's, The Monkey Planet, which tells the story of a world apes are the dominant species. The original film caused a major stir with its elaborate make up and dramatic ending. Burton's Planet of the Apes is far darker and more menacing than its predecessor because the simians are not nearly as human as they were 33 years ago. They swing, leap, pounce, roll and gambol like apes, gorillas, chimpanzees and orangutans. Mark Wahlberg is prefect as Captain Leo Davidson, the typical bull headed American hero. Who before time-warping and crashing on this monkey planet, used to train chimpanzees to operate advanced technical equipment. Helena Bonham Carter is also impressive as the (Nearly) love interest, Ari a gentle, sweet, flirtatious chimpanzee. Estella Warren, who is indeed a beauty, on the other hand isn't given much to do except be a bimbo, which is a shame. On the other side Michael Clarke Duncan, as the noble yet terrifying gorilla warrior Attar, commands the screen every time he is on. The real star of his film though is Mr Tim Roth. Roth is magnificent as the violent and power-hungry, military leader, General Thade who wants to wrench control from the senate. His performance is delightfully calculated and realized that you forget there is a real human under the make up. Charlton Heston shows up in a cameo that is an ironic commentary on his original role. Heston's famous "damn dirty Apes" line is reversed and given to a gorilla. The screenplay by William Broyles Jr. and the team of Lawrence Konner and Mark Resenthal, gives the whole concept more emotional oomph. It's scarier but the violence never really materises and the movie is definitely a pg. I have deliberately not gone into the plot too much, because it would spoil the film to know any of the plot twists in advance. I will just finish by saying that Planet of The Apes is a masterpiece, which does not spoil the original and gives us a brand new film for the new generation. The only thing that really sours the film is the oh-so obvious ending. Oh and Estella Warren is gorgeous, or did I already mention that? |
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Planet
of the Apes