Planet of the Apes

In a remote space station, researchers are developing genetically enhanced chimps, under the direction of Captain Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg.) When an electromagnetic storm approaches and his chimp goes missing, Captain Davidson launches an unauthorized flight to rescue him and get the readings they need for their studies of the storm. Caught in the storm, he spins out of control and crash-lands on the nearby planet which is inhabited by talking primates who've enslave the humans they hunt. Befriending his new master's daughter, a Human-Rights Activist Named Ari (Helena Bonham Carter), and making an enemy of General Thade (Tim Roth) who intends to marry her, he tries to find a way home and reluctantly becomes the hope for humanity's freedom from the apes.

Like the original, the social commentary on human and animal rights exists here. As does the macro-evolution angle. The original spoke more on the rights of different races co-existing as equals and the science fiction angle on an alternate universe where the evolutionary ladder was climbed by something else. Whereas this one speaks more on the animal rights angle, leaving the prejudicial angle to the side. Ari speaks about the mistreatment of humans lowering the dignity of themselves and demeaning the level of respect for themselves, an argument made toward the treatment of animals and people considered animals. This is a theme well-visited in science-fiction and fantasy. And it is spoken very clearly.

The themes are spoken clearly, but the story is a bit commonplace, enhanced by brilliant makeup, beautiful costumes and rich special effects. The acting is above average with some of the best names in cinema today: Helena Bonham Carter, Paul Giamatti, Mark Wahlberg, Michael Clarke Duncan and an extremely menacing Tim Roth. The stunts are well done, as well, with the ape motions producing a very authentic look. I am reminded very clearly of the movie Congo and its infamous monkey costumes. Here, the actor becomes part of their costume instead of the other way around. The prosthetic work is superb, allowing for individual characteristics to show through on the hero characters of the humans underneath.

Of all the love triangles (or shall I say squares, as there are three angles which are unrequited) in cinema, this film has the most absurd. Firstly, we've got Davidson, who's loved by the human he's caught with as well as Ari. Then we've got Thade, who loves Ari without any hope of being loved back. It really is ridiculous. And this major subplot cripples any hope of credibility. And it is truly sad, for Tim Burton is a quality director and all of the performers are all top notch, too. Remakes are tricky creatures; sometimes the material cannot be duplicated or transposed. In this case, the freshness wore off with Charlton Heston's prime days. And Planet of the Apes should remain a classic.

****

IN: Mark Wahlberg

OUT: Michael Clarke Duncan

Coming Soon: Daredevil/Elektra