When this movie came out, I had just been born. I was about 6 when I first saw this movie. At the time the craze was still going on. From the first time on, I loved this movie. Because it was futuristic, the idea of man falling from grace intrigued me. The idea that man could take an intelligent animal and try to make it a pet, is absurd, but intriguing.
Thirty years later, I still stop the remote when I come across this movie.

The plot for "Planet of the Apes" is four astronauts set out on a trip to outer space. Three crash land on what they believe to be a new planet. The one had died during the trip. They begin a voyage across the planet that leads them to an oasis. This is where they find the humans that seem to be what they know as cavemen. Suddenly, the "evolved" apes appear on the hunt. Col. George Taylor (Charleton Heston) is taken captive, but due to an injury can not speak. Through most of the movie the apes believe he is like the rest of the humans who can not speak. Dr. Zaius an orangutan realizes he is not like the rest, but he fears him. Two chimpanzees doctors befriend Taylor and help him escape. After he escapes, Taylor learns humans were once the higher intelligence. In the end Taylor realizes he is back on Earth thousands of years later.

The famous line when Taylor sees the head of the Statue of Liberty which brings him to the realization that he is on Earth is, "God, damn you all to hell." At the time of the movie's release this line was very controversial, but it was allowed. The reason being is that he was not cursing but directly speaking to God.

"Planet of the Apes" puts into perspective the arrogance of man. We see how our world can be changed with the blink of an eye. If I was to be taken over, let me quote the movie, "If I have to be taken over, I hope it is taken over by an Ape." After all the atrocities that we have done to these magnificent creatures, it is only fitting that such a fate should become man.

My suggestion: Own this movie. My other suggestion: Treat animals with respect. Even though "Twister" isn't the best movie to quote, I do love one line. "Respect mother nature, because she WON'T respect you."





Recommended: Yes