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Mark Wahlberg, Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan, Kris Kristofferson ... see more see more... , Estella Warren , Paul Giamatti , David Warner , Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa , Erick Avari , Glenn Shadix , Lisa Marie , Charlton Heston , Linda Harrison

This big budget "re-imagining" of the 1968 original departs somewhat from both that classic science fiction film and the source novel by author Pierre Boulle. Mark Wahlberg stars as Leo Davidson, an a... read more read more...stronaut of the early 21st century whose unauthorized mission to rescue a chimp companion from a mysterious space storm goes awry when he and his ship are lost through a rip in the fabric of time. Leo crash-lands on a planet where intelligent, talking apes are the dominant species and humans a conquered slave class. Befriending both a chimpanzee activist named Ari (Helena Bonham Carter), who's sympathetic to humans, and a beautiful human rebel, Daena (Estella Warren), Leo quickly becomes a prominent figure of resistance to his fellow humans. This makes him an instant source of irritation for the militant and ambitious General Thade (Tim Roth) and his trusted adjutant, Attar (Michael Clarke Duncan), who intend to hunt Leo down and crush the burgeoning human uprising. War looms between ape and human as Leo and his band head for a sacred site deep in an off-limits desert, where secrets about the planet's ape and human ancestry wait to be revealed. Planet of the Apes is directed by Tim Burton and features the original film's star, Charlton Heston, in a cameo role as the dying father of Thade. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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36% liked it

339,303 ratings

Critics

45% liked it

155 critics

PG-13, 4 hr. 3 min.

Directed by: Tim Burton

Release Date: July 27, 2001

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DVD Release Date: November 20, 2001

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Stats: 14,552 reviews

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Mark Wahlberg Planet of the Apes Tim Burton Mark Whalberg & Estella Warren Ape stampede Damn you all! General Thade Planet of the Apes Going ape Attar The Ginger Monkey Helena Bonham Carter (as Ali) and Paul Giamatti (as Limbo) in 'Planet of the Apes' Planet of the Apes Planet of the Apes Planet of the Apes Planet of the Apes Planet of the Apes Planet of the Apes
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Flixster Reviews (14,552)

  • spielberg00
    October 1, 2011
    spielberg00
    Tim Burton's re-imagination of the 1968 science fiction journey is nothing like the original. That's not to say it's a bad film--but it's surely not good, either.

    The director, who is clearly known for being quirky, dark, and (usually) brilliant, just tried too hard with his un... read moreique interpretation of PLANET OF THE APES, and it ultimately became a so-so production.

    Don't get me wrong--this is a decent film, as a stand-alone sci-fi work of its own; but as a remake, it isn't anything good. And really, if the film was looked at a second time before put in the cinemas, the last scene should have definitely been removed from the final picture, as it is utterly confusing, and it makes no sense. Without spoiling how the film does end, even the "deus ex machina"-type scene that was right before it would have made a much better ending.
  • TheDudeLebowski65
    September 30, 2011
    TheDudeLebowski65
    Tim Burton's lackluster Planet of the Apes is a definite insult to the original classic. I'm usually a fan of Burton's work, and he's made quite a few classic films. However with this remake, he crafts a film that is boring, uninspired and he tries to camouflage the film lame plo... read moret by fancy special effects. Tim Burton has made a dud with this remake. The only good things going for the film are good actors (which unfortunately can't save the movie), and special effects. There is nothing else that is exciting about this film. I'll stick with the original Planet of the Apes. What's really missing in this film is a sense of wonder, mystery and intrigue; the elements that made the original so special and ultimately a classic. Of all the Tim Burton films that I've seen, this is his worst yet. Oh well, every director has a bad film or two up his sleeve, for Burton this is the one. This film could have been a wonderful piece of cinema, instead it was a lazy film that didn't try to give the viewer any sense of wonder or mystery. Looking back since its initial release, Planet of the Apes was a pretty cool flick when it first came out, but it's one of those films that doesn't demand repeated viewers, and when you view it, you realize how pointless it is. You realize that it's a film with great special effects, and little substance in terms of story. Planet of the Apes fails in being an engaging film, and you're left in disbelief. Luckily Rise of the Planet of the Apes got it right, because this one didn't.
  • DreamExtractor
    September 25, 2011
    DreamExtractor
    Tim Burtons Planet of the Apes is a terrible and boring remake. The story is basically like the original, with a few changes but almost every bit of this story is a terrible and boring experience. The cast is awful and so weird, I mean how can anyone honestly say they enjoyed P... read moreaul Giammati in a monkey suit. The special effects were pretty good, it looks more like how I would picture their universe, but the special effects cannot make up for a purely horrible film. I hated this movie.
  • StarCrossedVoyager
    September 22, 2011
    StarCrossedVoyager
    Whilst I like the original idea, I think this one got a little off track.
  • phubbs1
    August 12, 2011
    phubbs1
    Now I will admit I love Tim Burton and most of his work but I too was shocked and fearful of his agreement to take the helm of this sci-fi action flick revamp/re-imagining. Many directors were considered and to be honest I think many of them would have been perfect for the film b... read moreut Burton does add his usual unique artistic style which can be glimpsed throughout the film in armour design, landscapes sets etc..

    So straight to the point I actually liked this Burton version of 'Apes' mainly because its a fun romp which is both silly entertaining cheese and has that classic semi serious sci-fi element to it. First up the visuals in the film are tremendously good and really make the film stand out, total kudos to Rick Baker and his team, the man totally nails the ape look for all the characters to a tea. The best clearly being Roth as 'Thade' with a fantastic makeup job, next up must be Duncan in his gorilla makeup but how about Shadix and Giamatti in their orangutan (I think) makeup..amazing!

    The film wins with the look for sure, not only is the makeup excellent but the sets are nicely worked, location is well suited, the apes costumes and battle gear is well designed and the space sequences also look and work well, all in all it pretty much like a top class Star Trek film hehe I mean a good Star Trek film by the way ;)

    Casting choices were good accept for Wahlberg who wasn't quite right for me, thankfully we had no Depp to endure here but the use of many solid character actors such as Warner and the imaginative use Tagawa really help lift the film, who could imagine Tagawa as a gorilla.

    I really enjoyed the film on my second viewing, my first was on release at the cinema, and I believe its because the 'Apes' classic plot can be made many ways and is open to interpretation from different angles, its not a case of it only works one way like allot of classic films, 'Apes' is a franchise that you can seem to mould and recreate without upsetting the originals. This Burton vision is simple yet highly enjoyable as a fun sci-fi romp, not too heavy, not just copying the original, touch of artistic license and the attempt at a twist ending which was brave but rather illogical, trying to equal the original but failing there I'm afraid. Still the little use of cgi for much of the film is always nice in my book.
  • blkbomb
    August 4, 2011
    blkbomb
    Ari: It's disgusting the way we treat humans. 

    "You'll be sorry you were ever born human"

    Tim Burton's remake in no way comes close to the original, but I still had a fun time watching it. I'm completely fine with Burton remaking Planet of the Apes, like I am with him remaking ... read moreWilly Wonka. Tim Roth, Michael Clarke Duncan and Helena Bonham Carter give cool performances as apes. Mark Whalberg does an admirable job in his role also. His role probably could have been casted a little better but he's okay.

    I think they take it to far in showing just how alike us the apes are though. Like when it shows them getting high and partying. Also, I understand why Burton would want to change the ending. He didn't want everyone to know how it was going to end. The movies ending is completely different then the original and not very satisfying. 

    The movie has it's moments of excitement and humor, but I can see why the majority of people really don't like it. I can't really say I like it either, but I'm not going to say I dislike it. I'll just say, when it comes down to it; I'll take the original any day over the remake.
  • fb100000145236770
    July 17, 2011
    fb100000145236770
    This is a perfect example of what is wrong with all of the remakes going on in Hollywood. This is basically a "re-imagining" of the original, and honestly is an irrelevant movie. I mean, if someone wants to watch "Planet of the Apes", they will just go to the original. This mo... read morevie changed quite a few things around, but didn't really have any of the "wow" factor that the original had. Big budget's don't always equal great movies. The action is good, and the apes look better than any of the other movies. But the story is kind of muddled around and tries to re-invent the entire mythology of the other films. I'm not saying the others films had their story so great it shouldn't be messed with, but this just takes it off into another direction and doesn't make as much sense as the others. Mark Wahlberg does OK, and Burton's direction is good(surprisingly this isn't as weird and off the wall as some of his other movies). Just like a lot of the horror movie remakes, this will ultimately be forgotten and the original preferred. Seriously, when people think of the "Apes" movies do they think of the Lincoln memorial or the statue of liberty?
  • xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    June 6, 2011
    xXGiNoBiLiPRXx
    Rule the planet.

    Good movie! The story was a little bit slow for my taste but it was decent enough to enjoy. This film has a great cast of actors and they all did very well. The ending was kinda shocking and unreal but I liked it!

    It is the year 2029: Astronaut Leo Davidson boa... read morerds a pod cruiser on a Space Station for a "routine" reconnaissance mission. But an abrupt detour through a space time wormhole lands him on a strange planet where talking apes rule over the human race. With the help of a sympathetic chimpanzee activist named Ari and a small band of human rebels, Leo leads the effort to evade the advancing Gorilla Army led by General Thade and his most trusted warrior Attar. Now the race is on to reach a sacred temple within the planet's Forbidden Zone to discover the shocking secrets of mankind's past - and the key to its future.
  • fb535316333
    June 6, 2011
    fb535316333
    It's campy, pathetic attempts at humor and lack of social, cultural sophistication makes this SciFi a hell of a let down.

    It doesn't appear to excel at any point of the film, especially the visuals, something that anyone would expect far more from Burton.

    An interesting piece ... read moreof fiction without the details, complexities and engaging characters it needs to be a success.
  • FiLmCrAzY
    June 5, 2011
    FiLmCrAzY
    Very disappointing.
    I liked the cast and i enjoyed the concept but i didnt enjoy the movie at all.
    The idea of a monkey falling in love with a human was even more ridiculas and i hated the ending even more, i think that might be because i didnt fully understnd how he changed th... read moree future but it really was a rubbish ending.

View All Planet of the Apes Reviews

Critic Reviews

Rita Kempley
January 6, 2002
Rita Kempley, Washington Post

Splendidly envisioned and boldly executed.

Peter Travers
August 9, 2001
Peter Travers, Rolling Stone

Call it a letdown, worsened by the forces of shoddy screenwriting.

Michael Atkinson
August 1, 2001
Michael Atkinson, Village Voice

A campy, juiced-up ker-splat, busy with clumsy pyrotechnics and never nearing the vicinity of satire. Full Review

David Edelstein
July 30, 2001
David Edelstein, Slate

Offers proof of Hollywood's simian instincts: Monkey see old hit, monkey do remake. Full Review

James Berardinelli
July 30, 2001
James Berardinelli, ReelViews

One more disappointment in a summer of lackluster 'event pictures.' Full Review

Geoff Pevere
July 27, 2001
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star

Works equally well as a popcorn adrenaline-heart-pumper as it does a pop-philosophical inquiry into the nature of humanity. Full Review

Bob Graham
July 27, 2001
Bob Graham, San Francisco Chronicle

The summer blockbuster we've been waiting for. Full Review

Susan Wloszczyna
July 27, 2001
Susan Wloszczyna, USA Today

There's one reason to see Tim Burton's flawed, somewhat declawed but often amusing do-over of Planet of the Apes. The apes. Full Review

Stephanie Zacharek
July 27, 2001
Stephanie Zacharek, Salon.com

By the time the picture rattled to its confusing and badly conceived ending, I couldn't help wishing it had somehow added up to more. Full Review

Joe Baltake
July 27, 2001
Joe Baltake, Sacramento Bee

Despite its flashes of wizardry, Planet of the Apes doesn't serve his restless, wild imagination. Full Review

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    • Leo Davidson: The smarter we get, the more dangerous our world becomes.
    • Leo Davidson: Never send a monkey to do a man's job.
    • Karubi: You'll get us all killed.
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