Tim Burton is my absolute favorite director of all time and he rarely strikes out but when he does, it can be quite embarrassing. Case in question: the 2001 remake of one of the most famous sci-fi films of all time.
I do have one confession. I've never actually seen the original 1968 film but I am familiar with the story. Here, astronaut Leo Davidson (played forgettably by Mark Wahlberg) crash lands on a distant planet ruled by intelligent apes. From there, he treks with a small band of outsiders towards these mysterious, ancient ruins which may hold the key for his return home.
Where do I begin? Well, the cast is thoroughly wasted and this film has quite a cast (David Warner! Michael Clarke Duncan! Paul Giamattei!), the special effects are pretty generic, and the production design is slimy and claustrophobic. On top of all that, the final battle is very lackluster.
Adding to all this, the ending is a joke. While the original film had an ending that was surprising and strangely appropriate, this one feels forced and confusing. Additional sore spots include a bland score by the usually reliable Danny Elfman and a pace that BEGS for a steroid shot.
You may be wondering are there ANY redeeming values? Well, Charlton Heston's cameo is pretty good but since it is just a cameo, he's not in long enough to truly save it.
What else can I say? This film stinks.
I do have one confession. I've never actually seen the original 1968 film but I am familiar with the story. Here, astronaut Leo Davidson (played forgettably by Mark Wahlberg) crash lands on a distant planet ruled by intelligent apes. From there, he treks with a small band of outsiders towards these mysterious, ancient ruins which may hold the key for his return home.
Where do I begin? Well, the cast is thoroughly wasted and this film has quite a cast (David Warner! Michael Clarke Duncan! Paul Giamattei!), the special effects are pretty generic, and the production design is slimy and claustrophobic. On top of all that, the final battle is very lackluster.
Adding to all this, the ending is a joke. While the original film had an ending that was surprising and strangely appropriate, this one feels forced and confusing. Additional sore spots include a bland score by the usually reliable Danny Elfman and a pace that BEGS for a steroid shot.
You may be wondering are there ANY redeeming values? Well, Charlton Heston's cameo is pretty good but since it is just a cameo, he's not in long enough to truly save it.
What else can I say? This film stinks.