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 PLANET
OF THE APES
While this film is laced with
excellent direction from Burton it has so much more. From a technical
perspective, critics should be watering at the mouth to see this
film again and again.
Reviews by Matt McEver
and Mike Furches |
PLANET OF THE APES
(2001)
This page was created on July 28, 2001
This page was last updated on
May 23, 2005
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Directed
by Tim Burton
Novel: Pierre Boulle
Screenplay: William Broyles Jr., Lawrence Konner, & Mark Rosenthal
Mark
Wahlberg .... Leo Davidson
Tim Roth .... General Thade
Helena Bonham Carter .... Ari
Michael Clarke Duncan .... Attar
Kris Kristofferson .... Karubi
Estella Warren .... Daena
Paul Giamatti .... Limbo
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa .... Krull
Erick Avari .... Tival
Luke Eberl .... Birn
Evan Dexter Parke .... Gunnar
Freda Foh Shen .... Bon
David Warner .... Senator Sandar
Glenn Shadix .... Senator Nado
Lisa Marie .... Nova
Charlton Heston .... Thade's Father
Novel:
Pierre Boulle
Screenplay: William Broyles Jr., Lawrence Konner, & Mark Rosenthal
Produced
by Ralph Winter (executive producer), Richard D. Zanuck (producer)
Original music by Danny Elfman
Cinematography by Philippe Rousselot
Film Editing by Chris Lebenzon
Rated
PG
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1. Main Titles 2. Ape Suite #1 3. Deep Space Launch 4. The Hunt
5. Branding The Herd 6. The Dirty Deed 7. Escape From Ape City/The
Legend 8. Ape Suite #2 9. Old Flames 10. Thade Goes Ape 11. Preparing
For Battle 12. The Battle Begins 13. The Return 14. Main Title Deconstruction
15. Rule The Planet Remix (Remix by Paul Oakenfold)
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IT'S
BACK
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SYNOPSIS:
PLANET OF THE APES depicts an upside-down world - a brutal, primal
place where apes are in charge and humans scavenge for subsistence,
hunted and enslaved by the tyrannical primates. The sudden appearance
of one man, alien to the present order and unaffected by its oppression,
serves as a challenge to the status quo and a catalyst for revolutionary
social change. |
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| Planet
of the Apes was the defining narrative of my childhood. For years,
I wasn't interested in anything if it had nothing to do with Planet
of the Apes, Escape from the Planet of the Apes, or Conquest
of the Planet of the Apes. Some of you may remember the action
figures. I had them. Remember "the tree house"? I had it. I had a
lunch box and plastic army men that weren't army men. When I first
heard in the early 90s that a new version was in development I knew
that God was hearing my prayers. I was my son's age when the first
Planet of the Apes theatrical release was unleashed, so if 20th Century
Fox intends to relaunch the franchise then the cycle could very well
repeat itself. |
 NOT
THE SAME
Many reviewers are evaluating Tim Burton's film by comparing it with
the 1968 version, which is a mistake. These are two different films,
speaking to different times, concerned with different issues. For
instance, the social and political issues that drove the original
were the Cold War and nuclear proliferation. The major issues in the
current film are handguns and the ethical treatment of animals. |
1968
VERSION BORING TO HIGH SCHOOLERS
When I used to teach a course on Religion and Film to high school
students, they found the 1968 version "boring." If Burton had simply
recycled the dialogue-driven original with its slow-paced sequence
and lengthy heresy trial, many viewers in today's audience would say
the same thing. Burton's film is an action film. The 2001 rendition
of the story fits today's criteria for science fiction. But it also
does so much more. Consider the way this story has been adapted to
address post-enlightenment spirituality. |
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ENLIGHTENMENT
MENTALITY
The 1968 film reflects an Enlightenment mentality. Cornelius (the
late great Roddy MacDowell) was the prototypical Enlightenment man:
the one who trusts in reason, rationality, and scientific method
to make the world a better place. Ape religion was ingrained with
his culture, but Cornelius the anthropologist was too "sophisticated"
for it. The 2001 Planet of the Apes is addressing an audience that
is largely post-Enlightenment, meaning many of us are open to the
supernatural because it's obvious to us that rationality did not
make the world a better place. So naturally, the social scientist
in the new film, Ari (Helena Bonham Carter), could not mimic her
1968 counterpart. While leading Leo out of the city, Ari explains
they are headed for Calima, the sacred ruins. "According to our
holy writings," she explains, "that is where creation began; where
Semos breathed life into us. But most intelligent apes dismiss it
as a fairy tale." So far she sounds like Cornelius, but the conclusion
of the film gives us an Ari who has crossed the bridge from rationality
to faith: "One day they'll tell a story about a human who came from
the stars and changed our world. Some will say it was just a fairy
tale; it was never real. But I'll know."
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LONER
JOINS COMMUNITY
Even the astronaut character had to be adapted to fit a postmodern
view. In the older film, Taylor (Charlton Heston) is so fed up with
humanity that he opts for a space mission that endures for years.
He begins and ends the film as a loner. Leo, likewise, begins the
film as a loner, having been away from earth for two years. Even one
of his colleagues remarks that training chimpanzees is better than
having a boyfriend. Leo receives a postcard where a friend tells of
his recent engagement and another asks, "When are you going to make
a commitment?" After crash landing, he won't make a commitment to
his fellow slaves either, saying, "I didn't come here to save them."
But once he allows himself to "hear their cries and see their anguish,"
Leo goes from loner to becoming part of a community. |
POSTMODERN
FAITH AND INSTITUTIONAL RELIGION
And where would a postmodern religious film be without the character
that becomes disillusioned with institutional religion? In the 1968
film, ape aristocrats reflected the mentality of "the scrolls say
it and this issue is not up for discussion." Attar (Michael Clarke
Duncan) begins Burton's film in the same vein. We are privileged to
two scenes where he prays. His prayer is that of a pious ape: "Bless
us holy father, who created all apes in his image. Hasten the day
of your return when you bring peace to all apes." He even accuses
Ari of blasphemy when she argues that humans have souls. But Attar
discovers in the conclusion that his faith is really nationalistic
propaganda. He turns his back on civil religion, where holy war is
a family value. |
PRE-EXODUS
EGYPT
Another sign that the current film is adapting to a postmodern view
is the spattering of numerous biblical parallels in the story, none
of which were in the 1968 version. Ape society is the pre-Exodus Egypt
in all its grandeur with a tight grip on the world. It enslaves the
foreigners it fears. Paranoia of humans is rampant and rumors circulate
about the kinds of diseases they carry. If you're an ape, it's politically
correct to see your culture as blessed by Semos. But one ape dissents.
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ARI
AS THE PROPHET
Ari is established as the prophet from the outset, reflecting today's
understanding of the Hebrew prophets as social critics. She defies
the empire that contemplates mass sterilization of humans. She calls
the assumptions of corporate religion and cultural violence into question.
She is the lone voice crying in the wilderness: "Humans can be taught.
We can live as equals." She envisions a society where the lion lies
down with the lamb. And she is shunned for it; even "marked." |
AMALGAM
OF MOSES AND JESUS
Of course, the main character is an amalgam of Moses and Jesus. Using
apocalyptic imagery, he is known as the human "not born of this world"
who "fell from the sky with a thunderous sound.and the ground shook."
A reluctant Leo leads the slaves out of Egypt. They even cross the
Red Sea. He promises Ari, "I'll show you something that will change
your world forever." The slaves, sheep without a shepherd, see Leo
as their last hope. There's also an ascension and a parody on the
parousia or "second coming." |
MAKEUP,
SOUND, AND DIRECTION
The reason we see this movie is for the apes and makeup artist Kenny
Baker should be clearing off space on the mantle for an Oscar. The
Sound Editors may also hear their names called in March of 2002. And
Burton deserves praise for giving us apes that sound and act like
apes, even down to their movements and mannerisms. |
REIMAGINE
Burton's goal was to "reimagine" Planet of the Apes. I would say he
accomplished his goal.maybe even beyond his own realizations. My prayers
have been answered. |
 Review
by
MIKE FURCHES
mike@furches.org
Web site www.furches.org
Mike is the Senior Pastor at United at the Cross Community Church
in Wichita Kansas. United at the Cross is a church made up of
individuals not often accepted in other churches. The church consists
of former gang members, drug addicts, prostitutes and others.
Mike also speaks nationally on various topics and is a freelance
writer. To learn more about Mike and his ministry link onto www.furches.org.
In the arts Mike has worked with top music artists such as Steppenwolf,
Marshall Tucker Band, Kansas and has an active interest in film.
Mike is pictured with his music band "Route 66."
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 Very
rarely do sequels or remakes hold up to their original predecessor.
Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes is a wonderful exception to the rule.
This film features the artful direction of Burton from some of the
Batman series, Sleepy Hollow, Edward
Scissors Hands, The Nightmare Before Christmas and numerous other
recent hits. His quirky style has developed a following that can count
at least this one reviewer under his wing as a fan of his style. While
Burton's films have a dark side, Planet of the Apes is a retelling
of the original movie that will please many new fans as well as the
old Planet of the Apes faithful. If you are expecting the same story
as the original movie, you will be in for a surprise. |
 While
this film is laced with excellent direction from Burton it has so
much more. From a technical perspective, critics should be watering
at the mouth to see this film again and again. There are numerous
aspects that should have film classes studying it starting with this
year's fall classes and for classes to come throughout the years.
The editing and sound are exceptional. It is likely that this film
will win awards in both categories, especially the sound categories.
Don't wait for this one to come to video, go see it at a first run
theater with a quality sound system. Movies this good should be experienced
and viewed in the best ways possible, a big screen with the full sound
effects loud and blistering. While there is violence through the film
there is seldom any blood or bad language. The film is deservedly
rated PG, which is a nice change of pace for many movies today. There
are several scenes of bludgeoning and violence but most of this is
left to imagination. |
 There
were several other aspects that I believe make POTA exceptional, starting
with the acting ensemble. I cannot recognize a weak role in the film.
Leo Davidson is played as well as Mark Wahlberg can play it and the
part was wonderfully cast. There is also a wonderful supporting cast
led by the brilliant villain Tim Roth. |
 I
saw POTA understanding that, due to its nature and style, critics
would probably relegate it to recognition for make-up and special
effects only. I also knew that, even though there were wonderful actors
such as Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clark Duncan, Kris Kristofferson,
Estella Warren, and Paul Giamatti (one of my new favorites and a fantastic
character actor, of Big Mamma's House and Private Parts fame), the
acting would not be recognized due to the cover-up of make-up by Rick
Baker's make-up team. Rick Baker, the all-time guru of make-up has
made it feasible that the ability of the acting just might be recognized.
 It
is possible that, come awards time, Tim Roth will be acknowledged
with numerous nominations and possibly even with a few awards to take
home. Along with Jon Voight in Pearl Harbor, this is easily the best
supporting role I have seen this year. While this should not distract
from the wonderful job he does in this film, it will really be a credit
to Rick Baker for his ability to allow the actors in this film work
through and show their expressions through the almost 4 hours of make-up
that each ape character had to endure each day while filming. I will
say this, that from here on out through the duration of the year,
they might as well go ahead and engrave Rick Baker's name on yet numerous
other awards to add to the ones which he has already won over his
lifetime for make-up. |
While
I could make numerous other comments about the other actors in the
film, space does not allow. I will say that Michael Clark Duncan,
of The Green Mile fame, Paul Giamatti and Charlton Heston of the original
Planet of the Apes films add tremendously to this film. There is a
sequence with Charlton Heston, who plays Thade's father, that will
please every fan of the original POTA series.  If
you haven't seen the original first two movies you will not understand
the significance of the humor in his portrayal of his character in
this film. Duncan is as forceful as ever and Giamatti will have audience
members asking who this guy was because he is so good. Outside of
his distinguishable voice you might never know who he is but you will
certainly be laughing at many of his great one-liners. |
 Usually
at this point one would say or ask, O.K., oh yea, but what about the
story? The story line is a classic retelling of the deliverance of
Israel's people by Moses. Leo Davidson, played by Wahlberg, crashes
onto a planet overrun by apes. On this planet, apes are the aggressors
and humans are the servants and slaves. Humans are treated as animals
with little or no respect from the apes, with the exception of Ari
played by Helena Bonham Carter. After a daring escape Davidson must
escape with some of the humans and apes that either come along voluntarily
or are brought along.  Through
this Moses style escape Davidson must cross water, which resembles
in some ways the crossing of the Red Sea by Moses (Exodus 14:21,22)
plus much more. Davidson later on has hundreds of humans that come
to him to assist them obtain their freedom from the aggressor apes.
Eventually he goes into battle only to be delivered by one that the
apes can understand. While this scene does not exactly mirror the
coming of Christ to earth, it is a parallel to his arrival as one
of us, human. While the makers of the film may not have intended this,
the comparison is unmistakable. |
 Many
will argue that this film supports evolutionary theory but I didn't
see it that way. While there may be some aspects of evolution portrayed
in the film, I believe the greater story is the story of the need
to get to know each other despite differences. Many of the apes wear
armor that resembles the dress of the priest in the early Jewish culture
yet just as we are told in Scripture, even though they pray before
others, pretend to be just, they are just as noisy clanging bells
on the robes of some priests (Exodus 28:33-35), (What if I could speak
all languages of humans and of angels? If I did not love others, I
would be nothing more than a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 1 Corinthians
13:1,2 Contemporary English Version).  In
many ways, the apes in POTA portray modern humans and their lack of
love for each other and anything or anyone different. In their search
for religion they have forgotten the importance of love and a relationship
and many have missed the obvious deliverer. Just as General Thade,
Tim Roth, a great leader and religious man does not accept who his
men, oops, apes, see as their Messiah because of bitterness and hatred,
many today still refuse to see Jesus as their Messiah. This ultimately
leads to death and prevents the power of example that we can have
as humans from loving and accepting others who may be different. |
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 While
there is much more that could be said about the film it is important
to know that Davidson, the human Messiah figure in the film, is
a partial representation of what Jesus did for us. Just as the humans
resemble the Israelites and their need of deliverance from a powerful
enemy, it could also be said that this is the same journey that
all humans are still facing today. We are looking for a deliverer
from the evils and hardships that not only we endure, but that we
bring on ourselves, when, in reality, the answer was there all along.
(Christ died for us at a time when we were helpless and sinful.
No one is really willing to die for an honest person, though someone
might be willing to die for a truly good person. But God showed
how much he loved us by having Christ die for us, even though we
were sinful. Romans 5:6-8 CEV)
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