Well I just watched Burton's Planet of the Apes and once again my memories have led me astray. While it's a great looking film, with one stellar performance amongst many decent performances, the movie itself is a bit of a let down and is nowhere near as thrilling as I remember. Plus the story itself is pretty weak and the screenplay even weaker.
The story is somewhat the same as the original film. Only the astronauts at the beginning (Mark Wahlberg and co.) are actually in the year 2029. Unlike the original film, where Heston's astronaut began his travels only 3 years in the future, here the 'present day' is set 28 years in the future. Wahlberg and co. are sending out and testing genetically engineered apes out in space pods and testing their abilities. One gets lost in a ion storm and Wahlberg sets out to rescue him. He gets lost too and ends up in the future on a planet run by apes.
The story diverts from the original film here by having the humans able to talk. As well, the planet they are on is not earth this time, at least as far as we know. In replacement of a ruined New York, the story moves towards a time paradox/creation aspect that comes straight out of Escape from Planet of the Apes. This is not a bad thing and it gives the film a slight original tone and a uniqueness all of its own. As with all the Ape movies (well at least the first four), the ending is downbeat and comes off as a twist. Unlike those earlier Ape movies though, the twist is heavy handed and really makes no sense (in context with the preceding movie). It is more of a 'How do we top the ending of the original? Oh I know... How about this?' It doesn't come close and it is rather pointless.
The biggest problem with this film is the actual screenplay. Everything moves so quickly that there is no character development. Characters enter and leave and no exposition is ever given for anyone. Why have the humans talk if you aren't going to develop them? Kris Kristofferson appears in a role at the beginning; he seems cool and interesting but we never learn anything about him. Consequently, when he dies, we as the audience, could care less. The same goes for every character in this film, including Wahlberg. Without knowing anything about these people, or apes, we aren't drawn into the story and we don't care what happens to them.
And because we aren't drawn into the story we just sit back and watch as the action unfolds, the beautiful sets appear and disappear and the actors move from scene to scene. Scenes come and go at a rapid pace, events fit together too perfectly, other events and moments and characters are just forgotten. What's missing is heart, a sense of connection and a solid story; instead we are left with a spectacle of scenes that entertain by their effects rather than the story. It's a shame that a) Tim Burton was behind this and b) that although it was destined to not live up to the original that it didn't even live up to it's sequels (not including Battle for the Planet of the Apes).
There are a few good things about this film. The best thing is Tim Roth. His evil ape really is pure evil. He oozes evil out of his performance and his make up and at times you feel like you are actually watching an ape rather than a man. He's amazing in this film and no one else comes close to matching his skill. Wahlberg and Estalla Warren are bland; Michael Clarke Duncan and Helena Bonham Carter are pretty good. Paul Giamatti pulls off the second best performance as a swindling ape and is quite funny at times.
Another good thing about this film, and really how could it not be, is the ape make-up and effects. Amazing! Like I said, Roth almost becomes an ape it is so convincing. The faces on most of the apes are more believable than not and there is nary a bad make-up job to be seen (unlike some of the sequels to the original). It's not only the make-up but the performances and effects together that make the apes come alive. The way the apes move and walk and run and jump in this film is crazy. I mean seeing Tim Roth standing behind a horse and then with no cuts he jumps, more like leaps, onto the horse and rides off is astounding. These type of moments happen a lot in the film and are cool to see and add realism to an otherwise unrealistic premise.
The sets are magnificent too, with a great looking Calima and even better looking Ape city. The problem with Ape City though is that at times it is too cluttered and dark and thus it becomes very hard to see the details or design. These details and design, if more visible, would bring us into the world more than we actually are. Another thing that bothered me about Ape City was the way the apes behaved within the city. It was to human like: deodorant; luscious linens and beddings; mirrors; stores. It was like taking a city, say New York, and ape-a-sizing it. In my opinion it would have been better if they had used elements of humanity but not all of humanity's elements.
Ultimately, Burton's Planet of the Apes is a failure. Its lousy script, its miss of a twist ending and its ho hum story strongly hurt the film. The overstuffed ape city and the too quick editing don't hurt the film as much but still don't do it any favours. Tim Roth steals the picture from everybody around him and is a joy to watch. Other than that, the best things going for Planet of the Apes: The Remake is a truly wonderful score by Danny Elfman, some great looking cinematography and excellent make-up and effects.
Even though the first three sequels to the original aren't that strong, they have something that this remake does not. They are endlessly re-watchable. They never get boring. They stay fun and funny and thrilling. Unfortunately, Burton's remake doesn't; I've seen it twice now and I can safely say it's definitely worth one viewing but after the second I don't ever need to see it again.
Film Rating: 65%
Breakdown (How Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes scored 65%):
Production Design: 7 out of 10
Cinematography: 8 out of 10
Re-playability: 5 out of 10
Originality: 4 out of 10
Costumes: 7 out of 10
Directing: 6 out of 10
Editing: 6 out of 10
Acting: 8 out of 10
Music: 9 out of 10
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