Planet of the Apes Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Astronaut chases his chimp buddy through a space-time anomaly and ends up on a bizarre safari where monkeys are the worst bosses ever.

🍿 Planet of the Apes: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Crash Landing and Capture

In 2029, astronaut Leo Davidson pursues his chimpanzee co-pilot, Pericles, through a space-time anomaly but crash-lands on a planet ruled by intelligent apes who enslave humans. He is soon captured and witnesses the brutal ape society firsthand, quickly learning the power dynamics at play. Leo meets Daena and other enslaved humans, encountering the compassionate chimpanzee Ari, who questions the ape’s treatment of humans. Ari purchases Leo and Daena, hoping to offer them some semblance of protection within her father’s household, a senator named Sandar.

Rebellion and Escape

Leo escapes with other humans, including Daena, prompting Ari to join their cause. They face pursuit from General Thade, a ruthless chimpanzee general, and his gorilla soldier, Attar. As they journey across the landscape, they uncover clues about the planet’s past and a potential way to fight back. The group discovers that the apes fear water and use this knowledge to their advantage. Leo locates his crashed spacecraft, retrieves vital supplies, and activates a homing beacon. They discover another signal leading to a forbidden zone, setting the stage for a confrontation.

The Truth of Calima

The group arrives at Calima, revealed to be the wreckage of the space station Oberon, which crashed millennia ago. Its logs reveal that the apes on board mutinied, leading to the current ape-dominated society. The name ‘Calima’ is derived from a warning sign on the ship, ‘CAUTION LIVE ANIMALS’. As the ape army arrives, a battle ensues, interrupted by Pericles, who also traveled through time. The apes, seeing Pericles, believe he’s the revered ape ‘Semos’ and cease fighting. Thade, however, doesn’t falter and pursues Leo into the Oberon.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Captain Leo Davidson (Mark Wahlberg): A determined astronaut who crash-lands on a planet ruled by apes and leads a human rebellion to escape.
• Ari (Helena Bonham Carter): A compassionate chimpanzee who sympathizes with humans and aids Leo in his fight for freedom.
• Thade (Tim Roth): A ruthless and ambitious chimpanzee general who despises humans and seeks to maintain ape dominance.
• Attar (Michael Clarke Duncan): Thade’s loyal gorilla warrior and right-hand, blindly following orders and enforcing ape rule.
• Daena (Estella Warren): A human slave who joins Leo’s rebellion and offers aid.
• Limbo (Paul Giamatti): An orangutan slave trader who profits from the exploitation and sale of humans on the ape-ruled planet.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Attar: “Get your stinking hands off me, you damn dirty human!” – Attar, a gorilla soldier, says this to a human he’s apprehending, mirroring a famous line from the original film, but with the roles reversed.
• Zaius (Charlton Heston): “Damn them! Damn them all to hell!” – Zaius, Thade’s father, utters a variation of Charlton Heston’s famous line from the original, but this time directed at humans.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $100,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $180,011,740
• Worldwide Gross: $362,211,740

💥 Planet of the Apes Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into this movie with low expectations because of all the hate it gets. I actually had a pretty fun time! Tim Roth as Thade was seriously awesome, and the ape makeup was mind-blowing. The ending was…weird, let’s just say that. It’s definitely not the original, but it’s worth a watch for the visuals alone. I especially liked how the apes were portrayed – like an actual evolved society. And the action scenes kept me on the edge of my seat. Definitely a guilty pleasure!

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of science fiction”
  • “Tim Burton fans”
  • “Those interested in dystopian narratives”
  • “Action and adventure movie enthusiasts”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence”
  • “Slavery”
  • “Animal cruelty themes”
  • “Mature themes”

Professional Reviews

• Rolling Stone: “Burton’s ‘Apes’ has great visuals and make-up, but it fails to capture the thought-provoking essence of the original. Roth delivers a compelling villain, but the story feels like a hollow blockbuster.
• The New York Times: “Visually stunning, yet narratively disappointing. Burton’s ‘Planet of the Apes’ boasts impressive effects but lacks the satirical depth and social commentary that made the original a classic. The ending leaves more questions than answers.
• Variety: “Tim Burton’s remake offers a visually captivating experience, especially with Rick Baker’s fantastic ape make-up. However, the plot feels rushed and the characters lack the emotional depth of the original, making it an underwhelming re-imagining.

Audience Reactions

Tim Roth’s performance as General Thade was praised for his menacing portrayal.: The makeup and visual effects were the most impressive aspects of the film.

Viewers enjoyed the action sequences and the unique world-building.: The movie is entertaining if you don’t compare it to the original too closely.

Overall Consensus: Visually impressive but narratively weak, this remake fails to live up to the original’s legacy. Roth’s performance and the make-up effects are highlights.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Mark Wahlberg was so eager to work with Tim Burton that he agreed to any part after a brief 5-minute meeting, dropping out of Ocean’s Eleven (2001) for this film.”
• “The make-up effects were so extensive that the actors were often unrecognizable, leading to questions about why such famous actors were cast in the first place.”
• “Charlton Heston, the star of the original Planet of the Apes, makes a cameo appearance in this version, uttering a variation of his iconic line from the original film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Planet of the Apes?

Planet of the Apes (2001) is available for streaming on various platforms. You can find it for rent or purchase on platforms such as Prime Video, Apple TV, and Google Play Movies. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Planet of the Apes, you might like these similar films:

• Planet of the Apes (1968): The original film that explores similar themes of societal reversal and humanity’s place in the universe.
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): A modern reboot that focuses on the origin story of the apes’ rise to dominance and the beginning of their conflict with humans.
• District 9 (2009): Shares thematic similarities, presenting a world where an alien race is segregated and mistreated, raising questions about prejudice and social injustice.

🛒 Planet of the Apes Related Products

• Planet of the Apes (Five-Movie Collection) [Blu-ray]: Relive the epic saga with this Blu-ray collection, featuring all five original Planet of the Apes movies. A must-have for any serious fan.
• Funko Pop! Movies: Planet of The Apes – General Thade: Add General Thade to your Funko Pop collection. Show off your love for the movie’s memorable villain.
• NECA Planet of The Apes (2001): General Thade 7″ Action Figure: High-quality action figure of the fearsome General Thade from Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes movie. Intricately detailed and fully poseable for collectors and fans.
• Planet of the Apes (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack): Listen to Danny Elfman’s evocative score and relive the film’s most intense moments. A must-have for any film music enthusiast.

🎧 Soundtrack

Planet of the Apes features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Rule The Planet Remix” – performed by Paul Oakenfold
• “Main Title” – performed by Danny Elfman
• “The Hunt” – performed by Danny Elfman

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Dave Chappelle Thinks Planet of the Apes is Judgmental

Want to hear a hilarious take on Planet of the Apes? Dave Chappelle’s got you covered! In this short clip, he shares his comedic views on the movie, offering a fresh and entertaining perspective.

The Visual Effects Behind the Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Prepare for a behind-the-scenes adventure! This featurette takes us on a journey to see how the amazing apes in ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ were brought to life through cutting-edge visual effects. You’ll be amazed by the skill and technology involved in creating such realistic creatures.

Turning Human Motion-Capture into Realistic Apes

Curious about how they made the apes in ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ so lifelike? WIRED breaks down the fascinating motion-capture process, giving us a glimpse into the technological wizardry behind the film’s stunning visuals.

The Simian Flu: A Deeper Dive into the Planet of the Apes

Ever wondered about the origins and implications of the Simian Flu in ‘Planet of the Apes’? This video takes a deep dive into this intriguing aspect of the franchise, giving you a fresh perspective and enhancing your appreciation for the film’s rich storyline.

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