If you are one of the students assigned to do the film review for Planet of the Apes, please add your review as a comment to this post. Post your review no later than midnight, Monday, April 9, 2007. A good review will do the following:
Start with a short synopsis (summary) of the film (just the basic setting, conflicts and characters)
Address at least three criteria for judging a film (see below); explain how good a job you think the film did in each area
Include specific examples to support your judgments of the criteria
Make your review free of mechanical errors (spelling, capitalization, grammar)
Here are the criteria for judging a film that we brainstormed in class. You must discuss at least three of these in your review: · Special Effects · Acting (expression, movement, emotion, believability) · Soundtrack · Plot (depth, complexity, suspense) · Setting (place, time, ex. Space, new planets) · Sound effects · Satirical element · Costumes · Character development · Originality · Staging · References to outside topics/events · Cinematography · Dialogue · Makeup (goes with costuming) · Props (weapons, phasers, etc) · Transportation · Elements of conflict
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10 comments:
Read T says --
Planet of the Apes tells the story of three astronauts after their ship crashes presumably on an alien planet, over 2,000 years after they left it. The three men, Taylor, Landon and Doge (their female shipmate is killed when her air-lock fails), wander across a desert before discovering what appears to be a primitive society of humans. The humans, it soon appears, are “ruled” by apes that hunt the small community, kill Dodge, and capture Taylor and Dodge. Taylor, who is cynical about the superiority of man and hopes to find something “better,” is wounded in the neck and taken to be studied by an “animal” psychologist, Dr. Zira, where he meets and falls in love with a fellow human he names Nova. Dr. Zira is fascinated by this creature, she calls him “Bright Ey es,” and Taylor tries to communicate with her, but his neck wound prohibits him from talking. Eventually, he manages to write a note to her, which is shocking in this ape society, and she and her finance, Cornelius, examine Taylor who tries in vain to convince them that he is from another planet. After attempting to escape due to the malevolent intentions of Dr. Zaius, the lead scientist, Taylor regains speech and is tried for heresy; his very existence challenges the apes’ sacred scrolls. Landon, Taylor’s only evidence as to his origins, has been lobotomized by Dr. Zaius, so Taylor is turned over to Dr. Zaius to meet a similar fate. He escapes with the help of Dr. Zira and Cornelius, and together they go off to the “forbidden zone” to look for evidence of a pre-Ape human civilization. Taylor takes Nova in hopes of saving her from the apes as well, but Dr. Zaius follows them with soldiers. Although Cornelius unearths proof of a superior human, Dr. Zaius refuses to relent. Taylor holds him as a hostage and is able to leave without the army following him. Dr. Zaius destroys the evidence and promises to try Zira and Cornelius for treason, but he warns Taylor that he may not like the e vidence he will find further down the coast. That evidence is the destroyed remnants of the Statue of Liberty, which means that Taylor is on Earth and that humans destroyed it, paving the way for apes to evolve to become the dominant species.
The directing/cinematography of this movie were incredible, especially for a science fiction movie. Unlike Forbidden Planet, Planet of the Apes employed a much more creative directing technique, rather than a straight shot approach; the camera actually followed the characters in chase scenes and shifted around in a realistic, jerky way more common to contemporary movies. The crash sequence, for instance, felt realistic because the camera spun around, like a chip out of control and focused in on the landscape speeding and swerving by. Although the trek across the desert seemed to take forever, the footage of Lake Powell and the surrounding desert was incredible. The use of beautiful wide shots continued throughout the movie until the very end with Taylor and Nova riding on the beach and the movie seemed more artistic than the usual science fiction movie.
With few special effects, most of the cheesy 60s effects occurred at the beginning, the apes’ costumes took center stage. Although the mouths were a little rubbery, which led to a bit of humor whenever Zira and Cornelius kissed, the ape costumes were fairly realistic. The costume designer captured several species of ape in the film, gorilla, chimp, and orangutan, in striking detail. An interesting element in the costume was the eye holes, which allowed the actor to retain expressivity and emotion, even while wearing latex. It gave the apes a human quality whenever the camera zoomed on their eyes. The astronaut’s costumes were what I expected them to be, as were the primitive humans who looked like cavemen and thus wore animal skins. An interesting stylistic touch was how these wearing of skins identified the humans as inferior, clothes played an important role in shaming Taylor who wasn’t allowed to wear them.
Planet of the Apes was overall entertaining, with action involved with Taylor’s attempted escapes, but it also had substance. It made several references to human religion and society. Taylor’s “trial” reminded me of several historical trials, including the Dred Scott trial; he had no rights before the law, and the Scopes Monkey Trial, because of his threat to ape religion, which the tribunal took literally. The apes at the trial demonstrated the intolerance of many humans who can’t accept evolution, even using the symbols for see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil. I thought the movie made a valid point about evolution, that each a nimal is only “inferior” because of its relative evolutionary status, that someday, any animal might evolve to become dominant. Planet of the Apes definitely can be classified as a “Cold War movie” because of its warnings about nuclear war. However, the warning about man’s potential to destroy this planet is as relevant today as it was back then, what with global warming and the persistent threat of nuclear war. It is that relevancy, as well as the entertainment value, that makes Planet of the Apes a classic, not just as a science fiction movie.
(Posted for Read T by Mr. Sale)
Read T --
Wow! This is an exemplary film review, full of perceptive insights and outstanding writing. You made some excellent points about the movie's merits, which I think are easy to overlook in what, by today's standards, can be viewed as a somewhat hokey production. I especially liked your comments about the film's social themes, which often seem to be missing in typical Hollywood shoot-em-up SF films. Your remarks about the shooting of the film show a familiarity with cinematic techniques. Overall, an impressive review.
In the Movie "Planet of the Apes" some of the positive productions were special effects, acting, soundtrack, and make-up. During the introduction, smoke was used to create a very effective feel and really pull the audience into the movie. During the landing of the ship Heston, playing the part of Taylor, did a good job to act as though he was dazed. But, when it came time to plant the American flag Heston's laugh was just Heston, not Taylor. The soundtrack to this movie really added alot to the suspense; however, the soundtrack really could have been used to fill some of the "Intolerable Times" such as the long boring walk through the desert. This technique failed when they tried to make the escape ride more entertaining and ended up with an annoying sound repeated somehow called music. The fact that the three men had beards when they arrived on the planet was a good make-up effect, and to be honest I did not expect such a complete job. The cinematography overall was very good, except for the landing on the planet during which the calamity was enough to produce a headache. I was impressed by the sleeping chambers on the ship and the way they seemed very futuristic for the times. On the other hand, Heston was smoking on the spaceship and also when they had no water on the planet Heston still had his cigar. The special effects of Taylor getting shot in the neck were very impressive and rivals some low budget films of today. Dr. Zeaus was a spactacular character that held all of his cards very close and was a nice complement to anti-human society the apes portrayed. To me the final statue of liberty scene was a little off because although I like what they used, it seemed like the statue of liberty would be a little more run down after two-thousand years had passed. Overall, I found the movie to be quite good, and rest assured better than its re-invented counterpart of today. Eric F
(Posted for Eric by Mr. Sale)
Eric F --
This is a geat film review because you addressed many specific details and explained your opinion of them quite clearly. I agree that the music of the film was a tad annoying, but somehow effective for setting the mood. Usually in a review, you include a brief summary of the film.
well i thought this movie was a example of what could possibley happen if we keep living the way we are today. It shows how we are destroying ourselfs by what we seem to be doin to the economy and just the planet itself. The movie is basically saying were gunna be switched with another species of an intellegent animal and it will have its time to rule as we are right now!!
The movie Planet of the Apes, directed by Franklin Schaffner and based on the novel by Pierre Boulle, tells the story of three astronauts, Taylor, Landon and Dodge who travel through space in hibernation and awaken in 3978 AD to find themselves crash landed on an unknown planet, with their fourth crew member, Stewart, dead and their space ship sinking in a lake. They quickly abandon ship and head for shore where it is pronounced that the soil is unable to support life. They then travel through the desert till they arrive at a waterfall and meet their first life forms. It is from there that the main characters are introduced, the apes and the story takes an interesting twist as Dodge is shot and Landon and Taylor are captured.
Taylor is then taken to a lab where is locked in a cage with the mute beauty, Nova. Because of a throat injury he can’t talk but soon regains this ability and shouts out in front of everyone in the city square as he is being recaptured after escaping from the compound in which he is being held. From there, he is put on trial and the audience witnesses a very comical recreation of the famous Scopes Monkey Trail where the parts of Creationism versus Evolutionism are played out with the life forms being discussed having their places traded and a very funny reference to the phrase, “See no evil. Hear no evil. Speak no evil.” Here, Taylor finds that the apes have lobotomized Landon leaving his entire exploratory group, not including himself, dead.
After the trial, he is taken to see Dr. Zaius, who threatens to lobotomize him if he doesn't tell the "truth" about where he came from. However, Cornelius and Zira execute a plan to free Taylor, who insists that Nova also be brought along. They flee to the Forbidden Zone, where Cornelius. Zaius and a band of gorillas manage to find them and after a short battle, Taylor and Nova are allowed to escape on horseback. Zaius lets them go without further confrontation, as he thinks it best for everyone if Taylor and Nova both just disappear.
Yet, with all of his experiences so far, Taylor still does not understand the "why" on how apes became intelligent, talking creatures and humans the wild animals. But soon after his escape, in the final scene, Taylor discovers the Statue of Liberty half-buried in the beach. He realizes that he's really back on Earth after mankind has killed itself off, thereby bring about the changing of power told in the story.
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The special effects for the movie were definitely ahead of their time. With aerial shots of Lake Powell and the ape city, it gave the movie a different feel compared to the very “ground-based” shots of Forbidden Planet. There were also no cheesy edited in lasers or invisible demons, however, Taylor’s neck wound was obviously rather poor quality by today’s cinematographic standards but for the time, it was very original and a very nicely done. Even up to the final scene of Taylor on his knees in front of the Statue of Liberty, the special effects in creating the statue were very nicely done even if the Statue looked as though it had not aged a day after the 21st Century.
Overall the special effects were limited by the lack of significant CG technology which made the re-imaged 2001 version so much more realistic, however, the costuming were amazing. With details enough to define various species and yet able to retain a bit of expressiveness despite the Latex masks are rather rigid lips.
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The acting at times was very nicely done, however, the effectiveness at times was completely lost and the relative amateur nature of certain scenes was readily apparent. The part of the movie were Taylor, Landon, and Dodge are traveling through the desert and incredibly dull and at times not very creative with intense music playing as a boulder comes crashing down at them or they skid down a hillside and make it all the way down to the bottom before all three fall on their face. There was also an instance when Dodge plants the flag the Charlton Heston loses the entire feel of Taylor as he laughs hysterically for no readily apparent reason, despite its inferred reference to the planting of the flag on the moon by Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong.
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Overall, the movie was very nicely done with original cinematography and the casting was fitting for each character. The musical soundtrack was very good if not slightly monotonous at times and slightly overplayed in various aspects. The costuming was done in an amazing manner and it is no surprise that the movie won the awards it did because of it. I would recommend this movie to any SF fan that enjoys the classic movies that did not rely so heavily on the widely used CGI creations that are so common in present day SF films. I would give this movie:
Overall: 4 1/2
Cast: 4 1/2
Acting: 4 1/2
Soundtrack: 4
Special Effects: 4 1/2
Plot: 5
Originality: 5
Costuming: 5
Props: 4 1/2
Character Development: 4
Mike B --
This is a good general comment about thye film. To have a complete film review, you need to give a brief summary of the movie and address at least three criteria that you felt were good or bad (acting, script, special effects, etc.).
Brian W --
This is an excellent review -- well written, thorough, and thoughtful. You addressed several of the criteria for judging a film. I like how you incorporated comparisons to other movies. Regarding the planting of the flag in the film -- it's unlikely it was a reference to Neil Armstrong, as the film was released in 1968 and Apollo 11 didn't land on the moon until 1969. A bit of prescience, perhaps?
Planet of the Apes combined action, adventure, and futuristic settings into an entertaining movie. Its by no means a masterpiece, but, even after more than thirty some-odd years, its holding up pretty well. The special effects are way tacky and outdated, but set design, costumes, and makeup were amazing. The apes actually looked like advanced monkeys, not just men in monkey suits. That, is a key to the film's success (in my eyes). The creatures are believable enough that I could accept them, rather than laugh at them. I'd never seen this older one before until this class, and I really enjoyed it. It was weird because when I got home to write this blog it was showing on this history channel right after the showing of Bigfoot. (I tried to post this previously but I just created a new account in the end because it wouldn't work!--Good thing I saved this!) I really liked that you showed us the Simpson's version in class, that was pretty funny.
Overall I really loved this movie. I had heard that famous quote before... but never knew where it came from. "Damn you all.. Damn you all to Hell!" The movie was amazing. Thanks Mr. Sale.
Kristen K --
This is a good film review because it makes your opinions clear and addresses some specific details (though you might want to define what you mean by "tacky"). For a film review, you usually start with a brief summary of the film.
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