In addition to being a groundbreaking reimagining of the evolutionary food chain, “Planet of the Apes” takes an interesting approach to religion and race. And with a script co-written by Rod Serling of “The Twilight Zone” fame, the show is also a powerful watch. Read on to find out more about this compelling series. Despite its controversial and thought-provoking premise, “Planet of the Apes” isn’t for the faint-of-heart.
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Matt Reeves’ “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”
The first two films of the franchise were successful and spawned a sequel, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” The remake was supposed to reunite Fox and Chernin Entertainment with director Rupert Wyatt, but he stepped away from the project mid-September due to discomfort. The film was originally set to premiere May 23, 2014.
“Dawn” refined the techniques used to render the apes through motion capture, and the film delves deeper into ape society. But “War” pushes the limits of these methods by lingering on tight close-ups and drawing subtle emotions from the digital apes. While the film is largely a summer blockbuster, it is far from a light, fluffy fable.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
In the upcoming series Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the director Rupert Wyatt returns to the planet to relaunch the apes franchise. The first installment aired in 1968, but in this prequel/remake, the apes are reborn. The apes, led by Caesar, attempt to forge a fragile peace with humans, but both sides are swayed by war mongers.
The original “Planet of the Apes” trilogy began in 1968, but the first film, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, is the most popular. The films are filled with highs and lows, making them a classic sci-fi trilogy, one of the best franchise revitalizations in recent memory. The third installment, starring Mark Wahlberg, continues the storyline.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes
While the first film of the Apes franchise is legendary, the new series, Beneath the Planet of the Appes, is less well-known. Although the storyline is similar to the first, it is a far more complex one. Apes have invaded Earth and are in control of the surface. An astronaut, Taylor (Charlton Heston), tries to escape with his family, but he’s attacked by the apes and dies in the process.
The tone is darker than the first film, and the pessimistic tone is influenced by screenwriter Paul Dehn’s own fears about the atom bomb. The film begins with a dying astronaut realizing that he has crashed on Earth, and then stares into a void of existentialism. Though this series may seem lighthearted at times, it is also deeply disturbing and, at times, downright terrifying.
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes
In the year 2034, a disease has destroyed all of the dogs and cats in the world. Humans have no pets except for apes that they train for household chores. Caesar is the son of Cornelius and Zira. When the circus owner dies, Caesar loses his faith in human kindness. He begins training the apes for combat and gathering weapons.
This is the only Apes film without a pre-title sequence. The novelization explains the nighttime pre-title scene in which police officers on patrol shoot an ape who escapes from their custody. Its body is covered with evidence of terrible abuse. Later in the film, Governor Breck refers to the ape as an ape who physically assaults his master.
Mark Wahlberg’s remake
If you like science fiction and are looking forward to a new sequel to the Planet of the Apes, you’ll want to check out Mark Wahlberg’s remake on HBO Max. Mark Wahlberg plays Leo Davidson, an astronaut who finds himself in an upside-down world where apes rule and humans are hunted. His mission is to make changes in society. The synopsis is not available on the website, so you’ll have to take our word for it. Please note that all film posters and DVD covers are property of their respective producers and distributors.
“Apes” has a surprisingly good ending, and it also has some anti-war statements and protests against racism. The movie is a masterpiece of make-up, and the physicality of the ape actors is stunning. Roddy McDowall as the enigmatic and vicious Thade is superb. Despite the positives, the movie is still weighed down by the comparison to the 2001 film. However, the remake does have a strong ending, and is well worth watching for fans of the original.