Planet of the Apes

Well seeing as I just reviewed a science fiction movie I might as well review another. This is my review of Planet of the Apes. I forgot today was Friday (again) so there won't be a cartoon today, sorry. It i s based on a book of the same name by Pierre Boulle. I can't say anything about the book as I haven't read it. But enough monkey business; let's start the review....did I just say "enough monkey business"?

We open in space where we see an astronaut named Taylor (Charton Heston) who is going into some weird preserving pod to sleep. Later the ship crashes on an unknown planet and they find out that the pods kept Taylor and the other astronauts Landon (Robert Gunner) and Dodge (Jeff Burton) alive for thousands of years. But there was an air leak in one of the pods that killed an astronaut named Stewart (Dianne Stanley). The ship starts to sink and they escape before its too late. So they have no idea what planet they are on only that they are in a desert on another planet and they are about 20,000 years into the future. They find a field full of people but they seem to be mute and are as intelligent as stone aged humans. But then people chase them and the other people through the field. The people chasing them are actually apes. The apes shoot Dodge, and Landon is captured along with Taylor but Taylor's throat is damaged and he is unable to talk.

The Ape Counsel

Taylor is being held at a research center where an ape scientist named Dr. Zira (Kim Hunter) names Taylor Bright Eyes and notices how he is trying to talk to her. Zira tries to show it to a higher ranking scientist named Dr. Zaius but Zaius dismisses Taylor saying that he is merely copying Zira. A female human named Nova (Linda Harrison) is transferred to Taylor's cage which gives him someone to spend time with other than gorillas who spray him with hoses. One day Taylor steals Ziras note pad and writes down "My name is Taylor".  Zira takes him to her house and shows him to her fiance Cornelius (Roddy McDowall). Taylor tells them about how he came from another planet and Cornelius says that he could be the missing link between apes and humans. Dr. Zaius finds out about Taylor and ups security around Taylor. One day Taylor decides to escape but is captured, and he regains his ability to talk which just makes the apes more suspicious. Taylor is put on trial with Zira and Cornelius defending him and Zaius and the ape council wanting to punish him. But the ape counsel tampers with the evidence and makes some stuff up to make Taylor lose. So Taylor is still being held at the research center.

***SPOILER ALERT STOP HERE IF YOU DON'T WANT THE END RUINED***

Zira's nephew Lucius (Lou Wagner) helps Taylor and Nova break out and make it to Zira and Cornelius. They flee to where Cornelius was doing research on humans to prove to Dr. Zaius that humans should be treated with respect. But a group of apes lead by Zaius attacks them and Taylor convinces Zaius to come with him to the cave to find out the truth. They find the remains of a human house which of course enrages Zaius but before Zaius says anything his men attack Lucius but Taylor and his group take Zaius hostage. Taylor tells Lucius to tell Zaius' men to give him a horse and enough food and water for him and Nova.  So Zaius gives him what he wants but not before warning him that he may not like what he finds. So Taylor and Nova ride away and days later they find out the truth. They find the remains of the Statue of Liberty which means that he was on earth the whole time and that the apes took it over. Now I do have to admit that that was probably the best twist ending ever. Too bad that every TV show, movie, and comic gives it away....oh well. The End.

****SPOILERS OVER KEEP READING***

Planet of the Apes is one of the best sci fi movies ever. Taylor is a very smart and likable hero and the story is very original. Dr. Zaius is also a one of the best sci fi villains ever. I also like the make up effects for the apes they are very convincing most of the time. But like I said most of the time sometimes the lip movements don't match up. But honestly that is really the only problem I can think of. So this is a great stand alone sci fi movie and I hope you....whats that Waylon...they made sequels.....oh no.