Planet of the Apes created a wide division between science fiction fans in the summer of 2001. The problem was the preposterous ending, which led to an intense search by proponents for an explanation. In any event, plot resolutions should be judged by what is presented on the screen. By this measure, the film ends as a head scratcher, but one that doesn't necessarily negate everything that preceded.

The story takes place many centuries into the future. Humans, which as in our world outnumber apes, are at the caveman level of civilization. The women dress like Raquel Welch in One Million Years B.C., but they must have electricity since they definitely use blow dryers. Their language is fully developed as well, unlike the mute humans in the 1968 version of the movie.

Apes, meanwhile, rule the cities, and their society vaguely resembles the Roman Empire. A senate exists, and generals lead vast armies that lack gunpowder. A siege mentality is present: while the apes move with impunity within the cities, a military escort would be well advised while traveling. But the humans are generally leaderless and docile, until the arrival of Captain Davidson (Mark Wahlberg) sparks a rebellion.

Davidson is introduced through a public argument with a superior that in real life would ruin his career. This does establish his character trait of insubordination, which explains the strange inter-species bond between him and Ari (Helena Bonham Carter), the problem child of a pallid but influential senator.

Charlton Heston, the hero of the original film, has a cameo as the aged mentor of General Thade (Tim Roth). Thade is the movie's villain, a megalomaniac chimpanzee who takes advantage of Davidson's presence by declaring martial law.

Like the 1968 film, Planet of the Apes attempts a knockout ending, but it is less satisfying this time around because it doesn't make sense no matter how you spin it. It further strains credibility when your crash landing site just happens to be on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial. Still, the most bogus moment for me occurs during the big ape-human battle.

As they all fight to the death, hand to hand and ape to man, a spaceship appears and lands in the center of the battlefield. This fantastic coincidence of place and time somehow freezes the combatants on both sides, except for the main players who struggle on within the recesses of a cave-cum-spacecraft.

An un-Burtonlike film aside from the appropriately dark Danny Elfman score, Planet of the Apes is long on action, but short on character development. Ari and Thade have some depth, and the manchild Birn (Luke Eberl) is somewhat akin to the Feral Kid from The Road Warrior.

But our hero Wahlberg is expressionless throughout, and aside from remorse and a Dorothy-like obsession with returning home, he lacks the seething masculinity that Heston had delivered.

Surprisingly, Planet of the Apes was snubbed by the Academy Awards, who one suspects would at least have given it nominations for makeup or costumes. The film did win three unwelcome Razzie Awards, for Worst Remake, Wost Supporting Actor (Heston), and Worst Supporting Actress (noted supermodel Estella Warren).

Still, it is fun to see Tim Roth and Helena Bonham Carter camp it up in their holloween costumes, and the action-filled plot moves right along. However, reduced expectations are required to enjoy this silly blockbuster. (52/100)

k@filmsgraded.com, filmsgraded.com


Recommended:
No

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Good for Groups
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8