In 1968, Planet of the Apes sparked a global movie boom, followed by four sequels, a TV series, a cartoon series, and two reboots after entering the new century — the 2001 Tim Burton version of The Decisive Battle of the Apes Ball and the 2011 Rise of the Apes, while the sequel to the Rise of the Apes trilogy is currently in development.
The Planet of the Apes film series has long since transcended the original novel, with each film revolving around a different theme of the same genre. The series has influenced countless movies and TV shows, and has received great tributes in Space Cannonball, The Simpsons, White Rotten, and Mysterious Science Theater 3000.
Although the Planet of the Apes series of films is far from perfect, with different highlights and flaws, like all the most classic film series, the Planet of the Apes series will always return to the screen with a new look.
On the occasion of the 20th anniversary of The Showdown of the Apes by Tim Burton and the 10th anniversary of the release of The Rise of the Apes, this article will briefly summarize the five reasons why the Planet of the Apes movie series has endured.
5. Lens
Like all successful film series, each film in the Planet of the Apes series utilizes the trendy technology of the time to present a unique visual style.
The first film used stable silent zoom technology, which was very popular in the 1960s. Although this technique is common, in this film, it is very exciting. Give viewers time to think about key details, such as Langdon planting the American flag or Zaius scratching a paper airplane.
Given that the series has lasted so long, by watching these films, you can even see the evolution of the filmmaking itself.
For example, in the fourth film, Conquest of the Apes, although silent zoom is still used to emphasize claustrophobic fear or ominous premonitions, and the characters are sometimes framed behind important objects, the film also uses newer techniques, such as close-range shots, rather than the medium-panorama group shots frequently used in the first three films.
Not afraid of the dim light, Orangutan Conquest cleverly uses darkness and the glare of light emanating from above to accentuate the character's characters with ape-man distinctive eyebrows. Although it's a bit dubious to still be set in 1991's Conquest of the Apes, the entire film is stylistically and technically avant-garde, making it clear that it feels like it's in a completely different era from its predecessors.
Rise of the Apes also uses popular close-ups, shaky shots, and timely, fast shot movements to create a sense of chaos and despair in real time, as well as simple tenderness.
In addition, Rise of the Apes makes full use of current special effects technology to build scenes that extend the plot, from the redwood canopy to the Golden Gate Bridge, jumping quickly between different scenes. And it's all about better serving the theme.
4. Themes
The Planet of the Apes films are not limited to one theme, but intertwine different ideas.
The first film deals primarily with politics, religion, science, war, and the human self.
The second film, The Lost Orb, explores these themes more deeply, and although the overall quality of the film is poor, it does express them profoundly through some edgy, thought-provoking scenes.
The third film, Escape from the Apes, uses time travel to think about cause and effect, fate, and fear.
The fourth, Conquest of the Apes, led to racism, slavery, and revolution.
The fifth film, Battle of the Apes, is also a poor film, but it builds on the themes of the previous films, integrating many of them into a central theme of the whole, namely how we treat others and the world.
Rise of the Apes explores genetics and our fear of biological warfare.
As Tim Burton's 2001 remake of Battle for the Apes showed, the Planet of the Apes series can continue to convey new messages to us, even when it seems desperate.
3. Step-by-step rhythm
The first, third, fourth, and latest Rise of the Apes trilogy were a success because they all structured their stories so well that they left a unique impression on the audience, and each film made its own story new, creative, and even providing strong narrative momentum even when the plot was no longer fresh.
The first film opens with Taylor, Langdon, and Dodge exploring the desert. This, of course, will make the audience look forward to what will be said next, but more importantly, it creates a thought-provoking, quiet and interesting stage where the characters can introduce the theme of the film through dialogue. This plays an important role in the film. Out of the desert, it was those terrible scarecrows. With the advent of apes, our expectations eventually paid off.
In the third film, Escape from the Apes Ball, newcomers to the apes, Cornelius, Zira, and Milo also have plenty of time to recover from their painful experiences and calmly introduce their situation. What they have to face is not the desert, but the daily life of the earth. There's a quiet place in the zoo where they can discuss their situation, and before the human villains emerge, the film invests enough time to empathize with the audience.
The Orangutan Conquest convincingly shaped Caesar's character. From the very beginning he shouted "Nasty human bastard!" The fear that followed, to the knowing glances of the guards who prevented him from intervening in the mistreatment of other apes, was finally inevitable when the riot began, though very suddenly.
The first five films formed a series. The first film was originally a stand-alone story, and apparently the second one, which was improvised, reused the story of the first, while the third, fourth, and even fifth film constructed a larger, circular story.
While the second film, Lost Orangutan, isn't likable, it's still part of the story, so it's exciting to see something echoed in Orangutan Conquest. In addition, through each moment and reversal, you can feel the brewing explosion of the bittersweet, vulgar and stimulating film soundtrack.
In the filmmaking process, the soundtrack undoubtedly played a role. Jerry Goldsmith wrote the soundtrack for the first and third films and laid the groundwork for the soundtrack of each film. Other films have also made good use of Goldsmith's musical elements (as well as the sound effects of previous films) to play on them and return to the classic elements.
The Rise of the Apes trilogy is also very impressive, and while a bit old-fashioned, the performances of and other actors such as Andy Serkis are undoubtedly worthy of praise. Of course, the trilogy also builds some elements for future stories.
2. Dialogue
Many people know the classic line at the end of Planet of the Apes, "Damn you all to Hell.", the simplest but most powerful line in Conquest of the Apes: "No! ）”。 And, of course, "the damn dirty apes."
I also like other lesser-known lines like "The king is dead, long live the king!" （The king is dead，long live the king!）”
The lines in the Planet of the Apes films are always so engaging, both relevant and illustrative, both bright and moving. Whether it's a quick rebuttal or a lengthy monologue, it's accurate. Whether it is the protagonist or the supporting role, through these dialogues, each character has a corresponding shining point.
Some of the symbolism of the series was even preserved too much in later sequels, and the director quoted it everywhere in the film in an attempt to regain the charm of the original, as exemplified by the Rise of the Apes trilogy.
But, you know, the lines are just a blueprint after all, and it's the actors who take them to another level. Thanks to the consistently good cast of the Planet of the Apes series, even scenes that look very ordinary end up being extraordinary.
1. Actor
While not every movie in the Planet of the Apes series is all that dramatic, at least each one has a few good actors to play out the potential of the characters. Most of the characters are portrayed beyond the audience's expectations, making the story even more exciting.
The first film had a strong cast of stars, including Charlton Heston, Kim Hunt, Maurice Evans and, of course, Roddy McDowell.
In the first film, each actor's performance is passionate and to the point. For example, Taylor gazes quietly at the heritage of mankind, shouting alone to the sky; Zira's passion, wisdom and humor; Zaius's hidden burden of darkness. The supporting cast further perfects the film.
After the first film, another of my favorite characters in the series was MacDonald, the charismatic and sympathetic human played by Harry Rhodes in Conquest of the Apes Ball. Every movement of his eyes, face, posture and voice greatly enhances the role that could otherwise be very simple. His lines tend to be short and direct, but Rhodes gives the characters convincing nuances that create a full character image. It not only gives weight to the film, but also greatly improves the overall viewing.
Armando, played by Ricardo Montalban in Escape from the Apes Ball and The Scarlet Ball Conquest, may be too dramatic at times, but his engaging, memorable and iconic performances make up for it.
And Colp, played by Severn Darden in "Conquest of the Apes Ball" and "Decisive Battle of the Apes Ball", is the antithesis of MacDonald, who is calculating and ruthless; Darden's understated performance is creepy.
There is also the very important Roddy McDowell. When the first Planet of the Apes movie was released, who would have thought he would replace Charlton Heston as the star of the series?
For the most part, Roddy McDowell was the main reason the first five films were able to keep the heat. He played Cornelius and his son Caesar. The makeup of the two characters changed only slightly, but McDowell made the two chimpanzees look like completely different characters by adjusting his manners, the time he spent, and his voice and silence.
Cornelius gives the impression of a mild-mannered, slightly mocking pacifist scientist, timid and cautious.
In less than 90 minutes of Conquest of the Apes, Caesar underwent a huge transformation. He begins naïve, then becomes angry, becomes afraid, and gradually, while hiding his pain, places more and more emphasis on his own strength, leading the apes headlong into the war in the final scene of the film. McDowell's performance is indispensable.
In addition, Caesar and his parents both had similarities. McDowell highlighted how all the actors worked together throughout the series. Their voices, eyes, movements and silence enrich all the details.
Although actors such as Paul Gyamati, Helena Bonham Carter, Tim Rose, michael Clark Duncan and other actors who starred in Burton's film "Decisive Battle of the Apes Ball" also have such performance strength, unfortunately, the film lacks soul and cannot go further.
The Rise of the Apes trilogy continues the performance tradition of the original Planet of the Apes. In the case of the first part of Rise of the Apes, the two emotional cores of the story, Caesar by Andy Serkis and Charles Rodman by John Lisgo, are absolutely heartbreaking, and each character's respective reaction to their environment affects all of our emotions at the same time.
Two supporting characters, a scientist and a pilot, end up falling victim to the virus in the film, and their simple character stories are also poignant.
Of course, the improvement of technology has also fully stimulated the actor's play, not only the actor can capture the role of the ape through the performance, but also the computer special effects also make the action of the ape more dynamic.
It turns out that every Planet of the Apes movie is able to get us more and more excited and shocked on many very cool levels, and only the Planet of the Apes series can do that.
conclusion
Whenever we mention a series of movies, we should always think of Planet of the Apes. Because it is not only enduring, but also constantly innovating in script and technology, it has always occupied a place in popular culture. Whether it's an audience or a filmmaker, there's always something to learn from it. Sometimes we may forget, but they always resurface in front of us.
To borrow a line from the old version of Battle for the Apes Ball, "The king is dead, long live the king!" Although Caesar is dead in Rise of the Apes 3: The Final Battle, and although 20th Century Fox is no longer there, I am still looking forward to the latest chapter of Planet of the Apes that Disney will operate next.