Review of Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) by Justin L — 11 Aug 2011
Bringing back the humor and fun of Planet of the Apes, Escape is miles better than Beneath but still isn't as great as the original.
Cornelius and Zira, the simian ape couple from the first two films, flee from their doomed planet (after what happened in Beneath) in the same spaceship used by Taylor in the first film, and travel back through time and land in the late 20th Century Earth where they are received with fascination and fear from the people they meet.
Roddy McDowell and Kim Hunter do great jobs in their roles of Cornelius and Zira. They're in top form, just like they were in the original. The rest of the cast does their job and is convincing but they're nothing special.
The setting of the '70s may seem strange and stupid but it really works. The themes of the original are still there and it's interesting how the situation is switched, now the apes are the good guys and the humans are the bad guys.
The movies builds the a great climax that is in the vein of the first two in the fact that it's tragic. I know whats up with this movies dark endings but they all seem to work.
In all, due the great character development and interesting story this movie is stronger than the second. I was interesting the whole way through and never got bored.
This review of Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) was written by Justin L on 11 Aug 2011.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes has generally received positive reviews.
Was this review helpful?
