Whether one is a fan of Tim Burton or not, it's undeniable he has a gift for creating atmospheric, unique movies... with some exceptions, like this one.
An unworthy remake of the sci-fi classic with Charlton Heston (who has a cameo here), the film follows astronaut Leo (Mark Wahlberg), who ends up on a planet where intelligent monkeys are the dominant race and humans their servants. Leo escapes captivity and leads mankind against evil chimpanzee general Thade (Tim Roth) and his army.
The moment local humans opened their mouths to speak, I knew this was doomed. Not that a remake should fanatically mimic everything about the original (for example, Van Sant made a carbon copy of Psycho and the result was absurd): I'd argue some departures are necessary, otherwise why bother? But there are changes and changes. Humans being mute and beast-like was the WHOLE POINT OF THE STORY. In this remake they behave like normal human beings - it's as if a kid saw the original and grasped just the basic premise of "a planet with talking apes", with the meditation on humanity and religious fanaticism whooshing over his head.
Roth, an actor who can play effectively both nice and despicable individuals, is in full villain mode and chews scenery with glee. Helena Bonham-Carter also has fun as Ari. Wahlberg is bland as the insipid Leo; much like Brad Pitt, Wahlberg is a fine character actor whose talent appears to melt whenever he plays a conventional lead. Other cast members don't have much to do, their performances overshadowed by their costumes (and, in case of statuesque former swimmer Estella Warren, by her lack thereof). Make-up by Rick Backer is exceptional, the only real achievement of the movie.
The ending is terrible. First, a simian deus-ex-machina (now that's a satisfying climax!). And then, a final twist which does not and will never make *any* sense. What a sad, desperate attempt to find something as shocking as the original's brilliant twist.
4/10
An unworthy remake of the sci-fi classic with Charlton Heston (who has a cameo here), the film follows astronaut Leo (Mark Wahlberg), who ends up on a planet where intelligent monkeys are the dominant race and humans their servants. Leo escapes captivity and leads mankind against evil chimpanzee general Thade (Tim Roth) and his army.
The moment local humans opened their mouths to speak, I knew this was doomed. Not that a remake should fanatically mimic everything about the original (for example, Van Sant made a carbon copy of Psycho and the result was absurd): I'd argue some departures are necessary, otherwise why bother? But there are changes and changes. Humans being mute and beast-like was the WHOLE POINT OF THE STORY. In this remake they behave like normal human beings - it's as if a kid saw the original and grasped just the basic premise of "a planet with talking apes", with the meditation on humanity and religious fanaticism whooshing over his head.
Roth, an actor who can play effectively both nice and despicable individuals, is in full villain mode and chews scenery with glee. Helena Bonham-Carter also has fun as Ari. Wahlberg is bland as the insipid Leo; much like Brad Pitt, Wahlberg is a fine character actor whose talent appears to melt whenever he plays a conventional lead. Other cast members don't have much to do, their performances overshadowed by their costumes (and, in case of statuesque former swimmer Estella Warren, by her lack thereof). Make-up by Rick Backer is exceptional, the only real achievement of the movie.
The ending is terrible. First, a simian deus-ex-machina (now that's a satisfying climax!). And then, a final twist which does not and will never make *any* sense. What a sad, desperate attempt to find something as shocking as the original's brilliant twist.
4/10