Great Film: Planet of the Apes
As shallow as the water he crashlands in.
After seeing Tim Burton's excellent Sleepy Hollow, and superlative Ed
Wood,
I was expecting much more of a character driven movie, with the
characterization and spiritual philosopies that elevated the original
movie
out of the pure science fiction genre and into a cerebral adventure film
with acutely observed social comments.
Unfortunately, the film suffers from poor script and direction right from
the minute the astronaut crashlands.
They knew from the outset that they would never produce an ending to rival
the original, and any cinema-goer in their right minds would never expect
one. But they could have at least got the beginning right. Neither Mark
Wahlberg's character nor the tension is ever developed, so when he is
confronted by the apes: we feel nothing.
The humans, though they have the benefit of increased intelligence and
speech, are poorly utilized. And Kris Kristofferson is criminally
wasted.
The make-up and effects are, as you would expect, fantastic. However,
despite improved flexibility in the make-up, there is little warmth in
either the performances or direction that made millions of kids go
ape-nuts
in the seventies. Bonham-Carter's Ari, whilst convincing, is not a patch
on
Kim Hunter's Zira. Roth's quite brilliant performance as Thade virtually
carries this film and makes it the one reason to stick with it to the
end.
Did I say end? Well, the less said about that the better.
Cast
- Attar played by Michael Clarke Duncan
- Lt. General Karl Vasich played by Chris Ellis
- Ari played by Helena Bonham Carter
- Karubi played by Kris Kristofferson
- Limbo played by Paul Giamatti
- Tival played by Erick Avari
- Thade played by Tim Roth
