Planet of the Apes (2001)
Runtime: 2 hrs 4 mins
Theatrical Release: Jul 27, 2001 Wide
Box Office: $178,094,583
Synopsis: In remaking this classic sci-fi horror film, director Tim Burton takes on a whopping challenge and succeeds. Astronaut Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg) is part of a space station crew that, in the year 2029, is conducting experiments in training genetically engineered chimps to perform... In remaking this classic sci-fi horror film, director Tim Burton takes on a whopping challenge and succeeds. Astronaut Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg) is part of a space station crew that, in the year 2029, is conducting experiments in training genetically engineered chimps to perform complex away missions. When Leo's chimp disappears into a worm hole, Leo unadvisedly goes after him, ending up in a parallel world in which the monkeys are the keepers and humans are traded and caged like animals. It's a horrifying place, and the whole atmosphere, colored by Burton's direction and Rick Baker's incredible special effects makeup, is charged with terror. Leo becomes a heroic figure in the eyes of his defeated human brethren, and he puts his trust--and his hope for escape--in Ari (Helena Bonham Carter), a forward-thinking ape who believes in human rights. But Leo has formidable opponents in Thade (Tim Roth) and Attar (Michael Clark Duncan), two power-hungry, testosterone-charged apes who wish to rid the planet of humans altogether. This excellent rendition of PLANET OF THE APES is more than just a remake: it includes intense physicality on the part of the actors, complex mythology lacing the story, chilling philosophical realizations, and an amazing cameo by original APES star Charlton Heston. The combination of those complex parts makes for a riveting viewing experience. [More]
Genre: Science-Fiction/Fantasy
Starring: Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham-Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan, Paul Giamatti
Screenwriter: Mark Rosenthal, William Broyles, Lawrence Konner
Producer: Mark Rosenthal, Richard D. Zanuck, Ralph Winter
Composer: Danny Elfman
DVD Info
Release:
Sep 18, 2007
DVD Features:
- Region 1
- 2-Disc Set
- Keep Case
- Anamorphic Widescreen - 2.35
- Single Side - Dual Layer
Audio:
- Dolby Digital 5.1 - English
- Stereo Surround - Spanish
Disc One:
Additional Release Materials:
- Audio Commentary - 1. Danny Elfman - Composer
Interactive Features:
- Enhanced Interactive Viewing Mode
Disc Two:
Additional Release Materials:
- Featurettes - 1. APES SCHOOL
- 2. MAKEUP TESTING
- 3. COSTUME TESTING
- 4. SHOOTING ON LOCATION
- 5. SCORING THE FILM
- 6. APE MOVEMENT
- 7. HBO MAKING OF...DOCUMENTARY
- Trailers - 1. Original Theatrical
- 2. TV Spots
- Music Videos
- Extended Scenes
Interactive Features:
- Mulitple Angles
Buy It On DVD
Reviews
Burton's singular vision is missing from this mishmash of a remake, part sci-fi, part adventure, part ape-human romance, but unsatisfying on any level. Mark Wahlberg's pallid turn doesn't help and neither does the PG-13 rating which proves confining
While Edward Scissorhands could have come from no other imagination, Apes could have been directed by any action director and come out fairly similar to this.
It is like an elaborate card trick that has 30 steps but the deck was rigged so that the card you picked was obviously predetermined
...one of the most entertaining check-your-brain-at-the-door flicks in recent years.
Like Burton's Sleepy Hollow, another grim triumph of set design over story.
The apes of '68 may now appear more comical than scary but their 2001 descendants are truly terrifying.
Mark Wahlberg is no Chuck Heston, and Lady Liberty doesn't make an appearance.
Planet of the Apes has talking monkees, yes, but it doesn’t seem to have figured out a damn thing about human behavior, primate behavior or, most importantly, even what it wants to say.
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