Planet of the Apes

Theatrical Release Date: 2001 07 27 (USA)

UPC: 024543414575

Studio: 20th Century Fox

MPAA Rating: PG13   Contains:[Violence, Questionable for Children]

Summary: This big budget "re-imagining" of the 1968 original departs somewhat from both that classic science fiction film and the source novel by author Pierre Boulle. Mark Wahlberg stars as Leo Davidson, an astronaut of the early 21st century whose unauthorized mission to rescue a chimp companion from a mysterious space storm goes awry when he and his ship are lost through a rip in the fabric of time. Leo crash-lands on a planet where intelligent, talking apes are the dominant species and humans a conquered slave class. Befriending both a chimpanzee activist named Ari (Helena Bonham Carter), who's sympathetic to humans, and a beautiful human rebel, Daena (Estella Warren), Leo quickly becomes a prominent figure of resistance to his fellow humans. This makes him an instant source of irritation for the militant and ambitious General Thade (Tim Roth) and his trusted adjutant, Attar (Michael Clarke Duncan), who intend to hunt Leo down and crush the burgeoning human uprising. War looms between ape and human as Leo and his band head for a sacred site deep in an off-limits desert, where secrets about the planet's ape and human ancestry wait to be revealed. Planet of the Apes is directed by Tim Burton and features the original film's star, Charlton Heston, in a cameo role as the dying father of Thade. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Category: Science Fiction

Awards: Best Costume Design – British Academy of Film and Television Arts Best Makeup and Hair – British Academy of Film and Television Arts

Features: 1080p HD resolution provides dazzling, unparalleled picture quality.
Lossless audio delivers the purest digital sound available.
Smart menu techonology floats on-screen during playback so you never leave the film.

Commentary by director Tim Burton
Theatrical trailers in high definition

Planet of the Apes

Format: Blu-ray

Release Date: 02/13/2007

Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1 Cinemascope

Audio: DTS-ESM Digital Theater Pseudo 6.1 System, DD5.1 Dolby Digital 5.1

Runtime: 119 Minutes

Sides: 1

Number of Discs: 1

Language(s) English,Spanish,French

Subtitles: English,Spanish

Region: Blu-ray region A (North America, Central America, South America, Japan, Taiwan, North Korea, South Korea, Hong Kong, Southeast Asia)

Paul Durica

Perhaps the best way to evaluate Tim Burton's "re-imagining" of the science fiction classic Planet of the Apes is to regard it as a product of its time. Despite occasional accusations of being dated, the 1968 original transcends the cinematic trends of its era and continues to find a new and appreciative audience. Whether the same will be said of Burton's interpretation remains to be seen. Whereas the 1968 film needed the marketing skill of producer Arthur P. Jacobs and the star power of Charlton Heston to ensure financial success, the 2001 incarnation relies upon its status as a summer blockbuster, verified by record earnings. As a blockbuster, the film possesses the swift plot, special effects, and action sequences that are requisites for this kind of film. Along with verbal and scenic references to the original, Heston makes an appearance as the chimpanzee father of the villainous Thade (Tim Roth) and, appropriately, keeper of the apes' past. These acts of homage seem out of context, but perhaps this is for the best since Burton is attempting to create a whole new planet. As with the original film, Burton's Apes will probably be best remembered for its makeup and set design. Makeup artist Rick Baker, who has some experience with cinematic primates (having worked on the 1976 King Kong remake and Gorillas in the Mist), achieves a refreshing three-dimensional reality in an age dependent upon computer enhancement. Set designer John Dexter creates a vine-laden Ankhor Wat metropolis, seen briefly as the film speeds along, for the intelligent simians. Ape City also seems the place where Tim Burton appears most comfortable, achieving the whimsy and fantasy memorable in earlier efforts like Edward Scissorhands and Pee-Wee's Big Adventure. An ending termed "thoughtful" by producer Richard Zanuck replaces the original's twist but seems to create only confusion. ~ Paul Durica, Rovi

Cast and Crew: Charlton Heston  Actor 
Tim Burton  Director 
Danny Elfman  Composer (Music Score) 
Lawrence Konner  Screenwriter 
Mark Rosenthal  Screenwriter 
Ralph Winter  Executive Producer 
Richard D. Zanuck  Producer 
William Broyles  Screenwriter 
Mark Wahlberg  Actor 
Tim Roth  Actor 
Helena Bonham Carter  Actor 
Michael Clarke Duncan  Actor 
Kris Kristofferson  Actor 
Estella Warren  Actor 
Paul Giamatti  Actor 
David Warner  Actor 
Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa  Actor 
Erick Avari  Actor 
Glenn Shadix  Actor 
Lisa Marie  Actor 

Country: USA