Plot Details: This opinion reveals minor details about the movie's plot.

I have never seen the original Planet of the Apes, so this review will only contain my opinion of this movie not a comparison of the two films. This movie has some great visuals, directing, editing, and acting. Its one of the best moves playing.

The visuals in this movie are wonderful. The Apes look life-like, and act as if they are indeed evolved. Burton was great in having the apes to be very touchy, feelie in a way humans are usually not. The apes continuously touch one another in seemingly affection and comfort. They were very careful in making sure the way the apes moved and the way they held items looked true to life. They really seemed to pay attention to detail. There are some great looking futuristic spaceships, and clothing. There are some great action shots, with the quick ape movements, when the apes capture the humans and in the final battle. These are probably more a result of great editing, though. There are also some great explosions.

The directing is superb, Burton has done it again. The movie moves quickly, but the story line is not sacrificed. I would have like to seen more interaction between Mark Wahlberg's character, and the Female ape (councilman's daughter), Helena Carter's Character, and the primative human beauty played by Estella Warren. The relationship between his character and these other two characters are a bit unclear. The casting was terrific. I think Mark Wahlberg was an excellent choice for the spaceman. He played his part very well. He has the facial expressions and the carriage for a role such as this. Helena Carter is great as the ape who wants to live equally with the humans. Tim Roth is wonderful as the harsh and human hating general Thad. He manages to convince us of his hatred without us having a reason for it. The acting as a whole in this movie was very well done.

The story and script are well done, as they should be, since this is based on the novel by Pierre Boulle's and a previous movie. I understand that the ending is different to allow for a sequel. I can't fault the story line except there needed to be more interaction between Wahlberg's character, Carter's character and Warren's character. The ape's world is set up nicely with a government, and religion. How they came to be there, evolved research apes from a crashed ship, is very plausible since they were already genetically altered. There is one question I do have, if the planet was uninhabitated, where did the horses come from? I didn't notice any other animal life like fish in the lake or birds in the trees??

I usually don't notice music so much in a film that is not a musical, but the music set the tone in this film. Danny Elfman, whose name I see more and more, did a great job with the music. It is very rhythmic with heavy, tribal like beats. They stayed with all instrumental music--even in the credits, which is something in a time when all movies are trying to have music single hits as well (gotta sell those soundtracks).

I think this is a very good movie, if you haven't seen the original or probably a very good remake if you have. I would recommend this film, its one of the better ones I've seen this year. I didn't mind spending the money on this one!





Recommended: Yes

Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children Age 13 and Older