Review of Planet of the Apes (2001) by R96Sk — 27 Feb 2022

Yeah... pretty poor.

I didn't even know this existed until a week or so ago. Gotta be frustrating for all involved that they were in a remake/reboot of 1968's 'Planet of the Apes' that wasn't the 2011 version. This one walked so that one could fly etc.

Speaking of flying, what the heck is with the high jumping apes in this? It looks so silly and doesn't add anything; a very odd choice. It is, though, a surprise that this film flopped given who got attached to it. Tim Burton as director, with the acting talents of Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan and Paul Giamatti. It's neat that Charlton Heston and Linda Harrison (stars of the original) made cameos, though.

Wahlberg feels a bit miscast, though Bonham Carter and Giamatti are solid; the latter particularly seemed to enjoy the role. The film does have a Burton edge to it, as expected, but this is one of his weaker films no doubt. Some other negatives, for me, include the make-up, esp. for General Thade, - I'm in the minority there - and the story's pacing.