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Overall Rating
 Awesome: 14.48%
Worth A Look: 21.89%
Just Average: 23.91%
Pretty Crappy: 23.23%
Sucks: 16.5%
12 reviews, 225 user ratings
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Planet of the Apes (2001) |
by Bishop
"Say it ain't so Tim, say it ain't so!"

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When Tim Burton took on the mammoth task of the blockbuster that was Batman, it was a phenomenal success. Batman Returns, well...umm. Anyway, Burton again takes on a mega movie in Planet of the Apes, a new movie based on the premise of the old one, but not a remake per se. What results is a dismal failure on most accounts.Marky Mark (you just know he hates being called that) is the astronaut who lands on the mysterious planet that is inhabited by talking apes. These apes are authoritarian mister, and treat humans much the way America treated the Indians and Blacks earlier in real history. Whether this and the original film are metaphors on that level is uncertain. What is certain is that this film is boring, and only redeemed by an ending (which most hate) that for some reason only works because Tim Burton directed this film. Well, Marky Mark escapes captivity and ventures his way across ape country, building a band of human rebels, with a few apes too (Helen Bonham Carter). Eventually, they must face the grim reality of confronting General Thade (Tim Roth) and his ape army commander (Micheal Clarke Duncan)in battle. Tim Roth, normally a quite gifted actor is totally over the top here as an ape with anger management issues. A big battle ensues, blah, blah, blah. As was aforementioned, whether this film serves as a metaphor for the nature of racism is a question. Hmmm, then why does the ONLY black human [don't worry, he's not a main character (what a suprise, a black guy not a main character!) so nothing is spoiled for you] in the film die in battle? Spike Lee has GOTTA be pissed. Well Marky Mark and his comrades fight apes, and that segues to some weird story, but we get a funny shot of a chimp in a space suit, which has a high, high comedic value. The ending to this film is slightly redemptive, in that is isn't the prototypical Hollywood ending. That and the chimp in the space suit are the best aspects of the "film."Planet of the Apes is ridculous, boring, and too uptight. Tim Burton who is usually sound behind the camera really dropped the ball on this one. Oh well, thanks for the memories Timmy.
link directly to this review at https://www.hollywoodbitchslap.com/review.php?movie=1897&reviewer=289 originally posted: 02/18/02 03:06:50
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USA 27-Jul-2001 (PG-13)
UK N/A
Australia 09-Aug-2001 (M)
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