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In 2001, Tim Burton followed up his re-imaging of one classic story
("Sleepy Hollow"), with another re-imagining, this time
of the sci-fi cinematic landmark, "Planet of the Apes."
Burton's film took the premise of the 1968 original film and novel
by Bridge
on the River Kwai author Pierre Bouelle, and ran with it. With
the film, Burton wanted to take a new look at old material; the
results, however, were generally not perceived to be up to par with
Burton's previous work, despite the inclusion of some thrilling
action sequences and one hell of a surprise twist ending.
Burton's film included various nods and homage to the original film,
but told a very different story. Gone are the themes and undertones
present in the original film in favor of a more straightforward
action-adventure flick of the highest and slickest Hollywood caliber.
The original film's intriguing premise
of having human actors portray apes was one-upped in Burton's film
with the aide of some of the most incredible make-up effects in
motion picture history. Crafted by make-up legend Rick Baker, the
anthropomorphic ape effects were nothing short of stunning, entailing
a detail and fluidity in the facial contortions of the actors behind
the make-up, such as Tim Roth and Helena Bonham Carter, that lent
to the overall believability and creepiness of the effects. Besides
just the make-up work, the actors genuinely seemed to get into their
roles and this palpable effort is one of the film's more entertaining
aspects.
Tim Burton's "Planet of the Apes" is above all else a
slick work of pop-corn filmmaking that would make the likes of Steven
Spielberg or James Cameron proud, and the film does bring up many
subjects of alienation, and equality (among others); however, it
is also a polarizing work by a true creative force in a town known
more for squelching a creative vision than nurturing it, especially
at the level Burton has been working at for so many years.
Joe Cortez 2004
(Image captions Anton Phibes)
Tim Burton's Planet
of the Apes is available on a magnificent 2-disc Special Edition
dvd which is filled with documentaries, commentaries, extended scenes,
pictures and multi angle features. Buy
it now from Amazon and support the Collective!
You can discuss the movie with other Burton fans on the Planet
of the Apes forum.
Links:
Internet
Movie Database Page
Tim Burton's
Planet of the Apes
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