Review of Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) by Jon T — 08 Oct 2009
The 2nd of the Planet of the Apes movies is an odd bird (ape?) to rate. Like Xmen 3, the film seems to consists of several B-plots so none really take hold to drive the film The 2nd Astronaut, Brent, is clearly suppose to be lead but most of what he does is merely wonder about. I'll give it points for not being a mere repeat of the first film, although for a few scenes it looks like it will. These scenes are the only time we see Cornelius and Zira. It sorely lacks with their absence (but film 3, Escape from... is all about them), as they are my favorites of the series.
It is incredibly obvious how cheap Fox made this film for. A shame, due to how much money the first film made. For me, I hate when companies do this. I'm looking at your Paramount for the Friday the 13th movies - they made loads of cash on each, but never gave any more to the films. But back to review. Everything just looks fake. The guns the apes look of molded plastic and lack a hole for the whatever they shoot to exit from. Anyone wish to tell me how all the sites of NYC fell into a one block radius?
The social commentary of the original is all but gone, replaced with some notes about war that never really go anywhere. I am suprised, however, in how incredibly nihilistic the movie is: like a Shakespeare tragedy, everyone dies and no one is redeemed.
To finish, I cannot help but picture as the screen goes black Dr. Zaius on the end of the bomb as it takes off into the wall. He stands directly in front of it as Taylor pushes the last fortress of solitude crystal thing.
This review of Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970) was written by Jon T on 08 Oct 2009.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes has generally received mixed reviews.
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