Planet of the Apes (2001)

Directed by: Tim Burton | 119 minutes | action, science fiction | Actors: Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan, Paul Giamatti, Estella Warren, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, David Warner, Kris Kristofferson, Erik Avari, Lucas Elliot, Evan Parke, Glenn Shadix, Freda Foh Shen, Chris Ellis

‘Corpse Bride’, ‘Sleepy Hollow’, ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ and ‘Edward Scissorhands’. These are just a few movies that Tim Burton can proudly say are his. This American genius is responsible for many successful films that have appeared in recent years. Besides a love for fantasy and science fiction films, the director apparently enjoys working with the same actors. In addition to Johnny Depp (with whom he has already made five films), he has a personal preference for actress Helena Bonham Carter. She stars as a sexy ape in Burton’s Sci-Fi ‘The Planet of the Apes’.

It is clear that evolution has worked out in favor of man: man rules over the world, and thus over all animals. In ‘The Planet of the Apes’ Burton shows us what could have happened if evolution had turned out differently…or had changed over the course of (thousands) of years. The situation would be exactly the opposite: great apes would be in power and humans would be locked in cages and used as house slaves or for entertainment. Not a nice idea. US Air Force astronaut Leo Davidson, played by Mark Wahlberg, is confronted with this situation when something goes wrong during his mission and when he lands on a strange planet. When he is locked up with a group of other humans, he decides to escape and find out what the hell turned the tables on this planet. During his escape, he receives help from the female anthropoid Ari, played by Helena Bonham Carter. She has always been against the way the great apes treated people and falls in love when she sees Leo. Little by little, Leo discovers how history works and what he would have to do to turn it all back.

As a fantasy/science fiction movie, ‘The Planet of the Apes’ is truly amazing. The actors have been transformed into beautiful apes and everything about their ape behavior, down to the way they walk and scream, is correct. No wonder the film has been nominated for the “Best Makeup” category in just about every Award ceremony imaginable. Burton has given the monkeys a soul and feelings, which is well reflected in the different characters of the monkeys. Ari (Bonham Carter) is a real girl who wants to be found nice, beautiful and sexy, and who is looking for the ultimate love. For a great ape she is made absolutely attractive, with make-up and nice clothes. Bonham Carter has undoubtedly studied the behavior of monkeys extensively; her movements, cries, way of touching and sniffing are definitely reminiscent of a monkey. Actor Mark Wahlberg, unlike his other films, delivers a slightly lesser performance here. He often radiates action in his films, think of his role in ‘Four Brothers’ and ‘The Italian Job’, although he has also proven to be a good drama actor with ‘Boogie Nights’ and ‘The Basketball Diaries’ . In ‘Planet of the Apes’ he has a bit too much of a straight face without emotions, fortunately just not yet Schwarzenegger, but on the way there. Of course a sissy is not desired in this situation, but unfortunately Wahlberg does not know how to convey his emotions (he must be afraid of those scary apes!). Despite the fact that he exudes all action, the film does not excel in the field of action scenes, the film is not really exciting.

The idea that the world will one day be in the hands of great apes gives an eerie feeling that Burton is very good at bringing up in the viewer. The last five minutes of the film in particular determine this feeling, so it is very important not to stray during those slightly slow action scenes. ‘Planet of the Apes’ has been made into a good fantasy/sci-fi movie by Burton’s masterful mind. Tip for humanity: perhaps not a bad idea to treat our animal ‘brothers’ with a little more respect. You never know…