Review of Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) by Christopher J — 13 Jan 2012

Rating : ★★★.

Well what can I say about this sequel. Well first of all it feels like a spin off movie and no relation to the apes series. But then why did I find it so good?

The film begins over two years after Taylor and Brent had disappeared in space, with a spaceship floating in the ocean and military personnel scrambling to rescue those on board. Three astronauts emerge from the wreckage, but when they remove their helmets, military personnel respond with shock, for the three are really apes.

Now I found the premise pretty interesting and it is essentially a reverse of the original film in which Apes travel back to modern day whilst humans were still the dominant species. Its plot also revolves around many social issues of the day including race, social status, scientific experimentation on animals, nuclear war and government intrusion as well as women's rights.

Now I was quite gutted we didn't get much of the original type but after the events of the last film, how could have we? I am also happy that this film went as far as to explain pretty much how the Apes got them there to the best of their ability but still retaining the science side of the wonders of space.

The performances are all done well here and the new characters were interesting and welcomed. One again Planet of the Apes does not fail to leave a shocker of an ending and definitely left it open for a new series of films.

In a way I think the series should have ending with the last movie especially with that ending but to be fair this sequel, whilst unnecessary, works pretty well and in a way, whilst not comparable to Beneath the Planet of the Apes plot wise, it's still a superior sequel. I look forward to seeing were things go in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes.