Planet of the Apes

2001 Action/Adventure

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 astronaut 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. more..

Director: Tim Burton

Starring: Mark Wahlberg,Tim Roth, Helena Bonham Carter, Michael Clarke Duncan, Paul Giamatti

Reviews

  • The new Planet of the Apes is not a remake, and it's not a sequel. It is an amazing display of imagination.

    Bob Graham - The San Francisco Chronicle

    26 April 2013

  • This century's Planet of the Apes is a rouser, a screaming-banshee fun house.

    Michael Wilmington - The Chicago Tribune

    26 April 2013

  • The marvelous Burtonic gothic/nightmare production design -- scenery, weaponry, costumes, etc. constantly pleases the eye without ever distracting you from the plot.

    Jonathan Foreman - New York Post

    26 April 2013

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

    Susan Wloszczyna - USA Today

    26 April 2013

  • Are there surprises? A couple of big money ones, notably the ludicrous would-be jaw-dropper of a finale.

    Owen Gleiberman - Entertainment Weekly

    26 April 2013

Awards

  • Best Costumes

    Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy & Horror Films (2002)

     
  • Best Costume Design

    BAFTA Awards (2002)

     
  • Danny Elfman

    BMI Film & TV Awards (2002)

  • Bogey Awards, Germany (2001)

  • Production Company of the Year - Features

    California on Location Awards (2001)