• Home
• Planet of the Apes

Page

Planet of the Apes

• Summary
• How to watch
• News & features

❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).

Watch trailer

02:12

Planet of the Apes

Save

• Adventure
• Sci-fi

• 2001
• Tim Burton
• 114 mins
• 12

Summary

Sci-fi adventure starring Mark Wahlberg, Helena Bonham Carter and Tim Roth. Astronaut Leo Davidson crash-lands on a planet ruled by talking apes where humans are second-class citizens. After being taken captive, he endeavours to escape, with the help of sympathetic ape Ari.

Ad

Powered By

IMDB

Review

A star rating of 3 out of 5.

Andrew Collins

You've probably already heard that this is not a remake of the 1967 sci-fi classic, but, in director Tim Burton's words, a "re-imagining". It begins, like the original, with an astronaut (this time Mark Wahlberg) crash-landing and being pursued and captured, with other savage-like humans, by apes on horseback. So far, so similar. What's immediately different is the ape make-up. Though John Chambers's 1967 prosthetic work was ground-breaking, multi-Oscar winner Rick Baker has upgraded it in style, so that actors such as Tim Roth (as arch-villain General Thade) and Helena Bonham Carter (sympathetic chimp activist Ari) can truly emote and express through the latex. That's the good news. The bad news is the story. It's slight (basically capture-battle-escape), littered with convenience, and Wahlberg has no backstory or emotional journey. It's another expensive blockbuster that short-changes on narrative. Nevertheless, the final twist ending (one of five that were shot, apparently) works well. But whose idea was it to "quote" iconic lines from the original film? That's not what I would call a re-imagining.

imdb-square

5.7/10

How to watch

Loading

Streaming

• Disney+
• Sky Store

Credits

Cast

rolenameCaptain Leo DavidsonMark WahlbergThadeTim RothAriHelena Bonham CarterAttarMichael Clarke DuncanLimboPaul GiamattiDaenaEstella WarrenKrullCary-Hiroyuki TagawaSandarDavid WarnerKarubiKris KristoffersonTivalErick AvariBirnLuke EberlGunnarEvan Dexter ParkeSenator NadoGlenn ShadixBonFreda Foh ShenNovaLisa MarieThade's fatherCharlton Heston

Show more

Crew

rolenameDirectorTim Burton

Details

Theatrical distributor

20th Century Fox

Released on

2001-08-17

Languages

English

Guidance

Violence, swearing.

Available on

video, DVD and Blu-ray

Formats

Colour

News & features about Planet of the Apes

• 
  
  How to watch Planet of the Apes movies in order – full chronological timeline and release order
  
  It's not our planet anymore...

• 
  
  How to watch Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes – is it streaming?
  
  The latest instalment in the franchise was released in cinemas earlier this year.

  Ad

• 
  
  Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director: 'Andy Serkis is the godfather of apes'
  
  Wes Ball explains how the Caesar star still had a big role to play in the new film – despite not starring in it this time around.

• 
  
  When is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes set? Timeline explained
  
  The new film is the 10th instalment in the long-running franchise.

• 
  
  Planet of the Apes movies ranked: All the films from worst to best
  
  With new film Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes now out in UK cinemas, we've ranked all nine previous films in the franchise.

• 
  
  Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes review: Decent thrills and spectacular action
  
  The latest entry in the long-running franchise is a serviceably entertaining potboiler rather than a must-see cinematic experience.

• 
  
  Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director reveals 1 shot took a whole year
  
  Wes Ball speaks exclusively to RadioTimes.com about the painstaking process of crafting the new film.

  Ad

• 
  
  Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes ending explained: What does Mae get from the bunker?
  
  The latest film in the long-running franchise has just arrived on Disney Plus.

• 
  
  Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes director teases more films
  
  The new film is set roughly 300 years after the recent prequel trilogy, which starred Andy Serkis.

• 
  
  Planet of the Apes director confirms next film will be a continuation of recent trilogy
  
  Wes Ball has addressed rumours suggesting that the next film in the franchise would be another reboot

• 
  
  New Planet of the Apes project planned with Maze Runner director
  
  Disney CEO Bob Iger is reportedly keen for another reboot of the franchise as soon as possible

• 
  
  War for the Planet of the Apes review: "a dark and dreary chapter"
  
  Graphic violence and cartoon villainy sit awkwardly in this weighty trudge of a third film in the rebooted simian series

• 
  
  Freeview film of the day: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
  
  It's Ape v Human again in the second instalment of the rebooted franchise

• 
  
  Paul Giamatti reveals how Star Trek role as villainous Nus Braka is a dream come true: "It is Shakespearean!"
  
  From Trek fan to Trek star, the acclaimed actor of indie projects is living the dream as an alien pirate.

• 
  
  Best movies on Disney+
  
  From big-screen blockbusters to Disney+ originals, here are the best feature-length films you won't want to miss.

• 
  
  Lord of the Rings icon joins The Legend of Vox Machina season 4 in top secret new role
  
  The new season is coming to our screens next month.

• 
  
  Dexter: Resurrection season 2 confirms an A-list Scottish acting legend for new season
  
  Brian Cox will join Michael C Hall in the new episodes.

• 
  
  Severance favourite joins Robert De Niro in first look at serial killer thriller as release date confirmed
  
  Michelle Monaghan also stars in The Whisper Man.

• 
  
  Yellowstone creator’s new series on "grief and human connection" with A-list Hollywood stars confirms release date with first look
  
  The Madison is coming to our screens very soon.

• 
  
  Sean Bean stars in first look at new "romantic" Robin Hood TV series with "historical authenticity"
  
  The Game of Thrones and Lord of the Rings star is playing the Sheriff of Nottingham in the upcoming show.

• 
  
  Link and Zelda casting confirmed for live-action The Legend of Zelda movie
  
  The film is set to release in 2027.

• 
  
  Game of Thrones icon's new Robin Hood show with "modern energy" finally lands UK release date and first-look trailer
  
  Are you ready for another take on the timeless tale?

• 
  
  Best films released in the UK this month: May 2024
  
  Highlights include The Fall Guy, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes and Furiosa.

• 
  
  The Legend of Zelda live-action movie release date confirmed by Nintendo
  
  The fantasy film hopes to find the same success as Mario's recent return to the big screen.

See more about Planet of the Apes

Ad

Ad

Ad