Planet of the Apes Franchise

Excellent satire of human civilization

From today's point of view this movie could seem a bit naive, but for 60's it is a masterpiece. If we take exception to outdated technology, I can not find any flaws in this movie. Camera and directing are great, the movie is a feast for the eyes. And satire of human civilization is excellent. Film tackles burning issues of 60's and 70's, that are still relevant today - hunt for sports, treatment of animals and nature overall, the conflict between science and religion, precisely between evolutionism and creationism, and most of all fear of nuclear war that was at its peak those days. Although I knew vaguely what this movie was about and I guessed how it ends at the very beginning, it did not spoil excitement a bit. I was not surprised by anything in this movie, but I was thrilled by everything. True masterpiece.

9/10

Disappointment

A movie that continues at the exact spot the original left off. At the end of "Planet of the Apes" more than anything I wanted to see more. And when that more came, after a promising start, it suddenly turned to a lousy movie with a crappy ending. I can't recall last time I was this much disappointed. Really sad.

6/10

"Beneath" is a film that epitomizes the best and worst that a sequel to a masterpiece, as "Planet Of The Apes" was, could be. For me, it is the most watchable of the sequels only because it's the only one that stays in the familiar territory established by the first film. But oh that ending...

I really can not understand why the heck Richard Zanuck allowed Charlton Heston to talk him into going with that downer ending that has already been referred to by others. The only reason why Heston pushed it wasn't because it made for good cinema but because he wanted to singlehandedly see to it that he never have to do another Apes sequel again. It's a pity that Heston never realized that the best sequel story one could have explored was what happened to Taylor and Nova afterward, and could have made for some equally compelling drama as the first film did. To me, the main appeal of the first film wasn't the Ape society, it was the character of Taylor and his fascinating odyssey from misanthrope to defender of the species, only to see his earlier feelings borne out in the shock ending. The question that should have been addressed next in a sequel was, what would Taylor do now that he realized he was on Earth? What were other things there to discover on the planet? (Heck, you could have easily made a sequel movie without the apes returning, as far as I'm concerned!) Alas, because of the plot device imposed by this film (and Heston's inability to realize what a good thing he might have had going for himself), the rest of the series had to veer off into what was for me, a more uninteresting storyline focusing on the Apes and their inevitable rise to power.

Plot holes and depressing ending notwithstanding, "Beneath" is still worth watching to see the traces of what could have been a great film that is there. The mutant story-line and their dwellings underneath the remains of New York still has an irresistible viewing quality to it. I do not recommend watching it in tandem with its magnificent predecessor though, because that's only going to make you more angry about the ending of this film. - Eric-62-2

Too predictable and unoriginal, but has its charms

The third part of the franchise, in the beginning, deviates from postapocalyptic SF we had in two prequels. It begins and develops as almost romantic comedy, relaxed, warm and full of witty lines. But in the second half, it suddenly switches to tragic drama. Ending scene was supposed to be an unexpected twist, like those they used to end 80's horrors with, but it was so obviously announced during the movie that it has no effect at all. The movie is average, maybe slightly above average and pretty much unoriginal drama, that does not deserve anything above strong 6, but I enjoyed the first part of it so much that I simply have to rate it at least a bit higher.

7,5/10

Good, but too much

I think that this franchise has gone too far. I can not say that this movie sucks. It is good. Very good indeed. But somehow it's too much. They should have stopped here and preserved its cult status, because even one more step in this direction could bury this franchise forever.

7/10

Honestly, it's OK, but I don't like it

I can not say it's a crap, and in some way, it rounds and gives a conclusion to the franchise, but at the other hand, it completely ruined overall impression of this franchise. In my opinion, they should have stayed on original movie and everything else should have been released in form of TV series, or at least they could have given up on this last one. I am glad I saw how this saga ends, but at the same time, the overall impression is spoiled. I don't know, it's hard for me to be objective about this. Honestly, I do not recommend it. From this perspective, after seeing them all, to those who did not see this franchise I suggest to watch just the original movie and maybe the first sequel and leave it on that. The first movie leaves an impression that lasts forever. Do not let sequels spoil it to you.

5,5/10

Unfairly underrated

I sat to watch this movie full of prejudice based on bad reviews, and in the beginning, I was thinking to give up on it. But, I saw it through and my opinion has completely changed. This is a very good movie. Almost all arguments against this movie are based on the premise that it is a remake of the cult classic from 1968. If that was the case, compared to the original, this movie sucks. But it is a very wrong angle and it is understandable that conclusions based on the wrong premise, filled with emotion and prejudice, will be wrong conclusions.

Just try to watch this movie from a point of view of someone who did not see the original franchise and have no idea what is it all about, and you'll enjoy a great movie. Because this is not really a remake. The only thing they share is the basic idea that in distant future apes will rule the Earth. Other than that those are two completely different movies. Characters are new and different, the story begins slightly similar, but develops and ends completely different. This is typical Tim Burton's dark fairy-tale, original in every way, except for stealing the basic idea from cult classic. The story is interesting and brings completely new ideas that make it essentially different from 1968 movie. The way apes rise to be on the top of the evolutionary scale, the event that stops the battle and the way the main character ends his adventure are three main and totally unexpected twists that are completely new. I saw all five movies from the old franchise and I was still surprised by every plot twist here. Nothing was already seen or too predictable. Because this is not really a remake. The crash-landing scene is the only one visually similar to '60s movie. But if you think about it, he had to land somehow, and there are not so many ways to do it and survive. I mean, he could not teleport himself or catapult from ship and land by parachute from outer space...

8/10

After Schaffner and Burton, two pretty much different stories under same title, now we got one more non-remake and completely new story. Beside basic idea and the name of main ape, this movie has nothing in common with it's predecessors. Although, it could be considered to be prequel to original movie from 1968. if we completely disregard details, cause this movie implies how apes took over Earth, but not in the way that's explained in original movie. Although it's done in manner of modern Hollywood blockbusters, which makes it weaker than its predecessors by default, story is good, drama and action nicely balanced, and it's interesting to see CGI apes instead of people in costumes. And of course, John Lithgow who is spice that makes every movie better. Weaker than Schaffner and Burton, but still it's very good movie.

8/10

Not impressed

Good movie. I can not point at any faults in it. And again, it did not leave me impressed. It lacks that special charm old versions had. Even Barton's version had it. For some reason, it did not pull me into the story. As an outside observer, I have to acknowledge its greatness in all technical aspects, but the story itself left me indifferent. I wasn't moved by emotional scenes, didn't feel the tension of drama or adrenaline rush of action scenes. I watch and see it's all at a very high level, but I do not feel anything at all. It may be up to me, but I consider this to be one of weaker "Planet of the Apes" movies. The only one below this one was the movie from 1973.

7/10

The best part of the new trilogy

Technically and visually the movie is almost perfect. I believe it would leave me breathless if I saw it in the cinema. But the story itself, although very well-written, didn't excite me. The essence is touching and tragic in its truthfulness, but in my opinion, it is not presented in a sufficiently impressive way. Woody Harrelson masterfully played the role of the main "villain" and made me hate him with my whole being, despite the fact that he is one of my favorite actors.

8/10