Key Takeaways:
– The Planet of the Apes series is one of Hollywood's most consistent franchises.
– Tim Burton's 2001 remake was not successful in launching a big new franchise.
– The 2011 film, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, marked a turning point for the series.
– The original 1968 Planet of the Apes film stands unmatched in the series.
Hollywood has served us some awesome performance from our favorite dirty apes in the Planet of the Apes series since 1968. It's interesting to note that, despite significant differences in execution and budgets over the years, none of these movies are flat-out terrible. Here's a walk through these flicks, ranking them from not-so-hot to absolute masterpiece.
Planet of the Apes (2001)
Long-time fans weren't wowed by Tim Burton's remake of the 1968 original. Although marking Wahlberg's early acting tenure, he fell short compared to Charlton Heston's stellar delivery in the original. While it did alright in the box office, it couldn't establish a powerful franchise foundation. Nevertheless, the makeup by Rick Baker was an outstanding throwback to pre-CGI times, making it worth a watch.
Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1972)
Budget constraints marred this sequel, resulting in it being the cheapest-looking Apes film of all time and sliding down the ranks. However, Roddy McDowell's superb acting and eccentric support casts make up for its poor production, making it a fan's treat.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
Fox had high hopes for this sequel, but a skimmed budget gave it a downgraded feel. With James Franciscus as the lead, Charlton Heston did manage a striking cameo which gives the movie a redeeming gloomy close.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
This recent addition by Wes Ball wonderfully explores Ape culture. However, the emphasis on humans stirred some mixed feelings among viewers, leaving them hoping for another focal shift in potential new series.
Escape From the Planet of the Apes (1971)
This entry in the series begins on a lighthearted note, quickly pivoting to a tragic finish. It masterfully sets the stage for the movies that followed, making it a must-watch for fans of the series.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
This movie provoked mixed reactions due to James Franco's performance. Still, the film's focus on Andy Serkis and his motion capture work cemented the movie as a beloved series installment.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
This reboot trilogy ender garnered mixed reactions due to its dark, serious tone. Still, it gave Andy Serkis a platform to deliver his best motion capture performance and introduced one of the series' most detestable human villains in Woody Harrelson.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
This stands as the reboot trilogy's finest, gracefully juggling screen time between humans and apes. It introduced one of the series' most sympathetic antagonists, making it a fan favorite.
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
As Fox cut budgets, the series started taking on riskier topics. This film, for instance, explored fraught race relations in the U.S., making it a radical piece of sci-fi.
Planet of the Apes (1968)
The original Planet of the Apes film remains the true gem of the series due to its transformative special effects, superb musical score, and Heston's legendary performance. Its disturbing ending solidifies its spot as the franchise's only true masterpiece. But hey, that's just one opinion; each Planet of the Apes movie has its unique spin, leaving its mark on Hollywood's sci-fi legacy.
