Some minor plot points are given away. Don't read any further if you want to go see it with no preconceived ideas.Just saw Planet of the Apes today. I'll give it one thumb up.
Was it good? Not particularly, but it does have some interesting changes from the original series of movies.
Was it entertaining? Sure, but the small screen won't hurt it.
Rick Baker did an incredible job with the make-up and special effects. The apes are so much more life-like than they could attain back in the day.
Tim Roth does a pretty good job being menacing as General Thaad. Kinda makes you wonder. He's so angry, so in-your-face confrontational with not only the humans but any of the apes that don't agree with him. The movie doesn't really explain his hatred of humans. He just is. When the apes finally lose faith in him as a leader, it left me wondering why they followed him in the first place. It's not Roth's fault. My guess is the character development part of the script is on the cutting room floor.
There's an interesting, unbilled cameo with Charlton Heston as an ape.
This was also the comic relief, but I think many won't get the joke. Heston's character speaks of the dangers of technology and weaponry in the hands of humans. Kinda funny coming from the leader of the NRA. But hey, Tim Burton has a quirky sense of humor.
Oh... and one last thing. There's a "surprise ending". IMHO, it doesn't really fit with the science fiction they were using as a premise, but don't let that get in your way.
One last thing... saw the trailer for "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back." It's due to come out in August. It looks like a load of fun, but then again, I'm biased. I think Jay and Silent Bob are a riot.
