Rating: 
Summary: Abomination doesn't come to mind but...
Review: POA isn't reimagined as much as underimagined. The production design, cinematography, make up and most of the effects work are among the best of the year. The screenplay, on the other hand, is another story (pardon the pun). Clearly reworked a number of times by a number of writers (the old equation was for every writer credited add two more so, if we use this, there were at least six writers involved. Even if this isn't true it shows) Film making by committee only works when there is a vision. Burton clearly doesn't have it for this workmanlike remake.I'm not going to bore you with story details as others have covered that already. I will, however, cover the quality of the film, discs and extras. The film has it's moments. There are a number of stunning set pieces but little follow through. The opening sequence could have been even more stunning if there was a sense of suspense and if Mark Wahlberg could act. He can't. I have to ask this--why is he seemingly out of breath throughout most of the film? There clearly was a lot of thought put into the acting (or in the case of Tim Roth overacting--maybe he was trying to make up for the short comings of other cast members). The acting varies depending on performer. There are a number of striking performances buried in a pile of over and underwhelming performances. The meat of the disc is in the ability to watch picture in picture with an explaination how how a scene was created. The audio commentary by Burton is less than informative at times (when it comes to the left of center ending...he can't justify it beyond saying, it works for me). Like many remakes (Wild Wild West comes to mind), POA is a misfire. Rule of thumb for most films is that if Kris Kristoferson can be found in any frame of the film, it's probably bad (there are rare exceptions to this rule). The second disc goes bananas with documentaries about the making of the film. These are actually quite interesting. You're able to a variety of make up tests all at the same time and choose which one you want to listen to. Interesting concept that should be applied to a number of contemporary film classics. This makes purchasing the disc or renting it almost worthwhile. If there is a sequel to POA, Burton only has to go up from here. Like the first Star Trek film, POA has a lot of potential. It just doesn't measure up to what inspired it. The original film despite the fact that many of the effects haven't aged well (although the stunning crash landing sequence could teach Burton a thing or two about film making and suspense. A pity Franklin Schaffer isn't around to offer some advice), the script by Rod Serling and Michael Wilson (Emmy and Academy Award winners)was always intelligent. Both Serling and Wilson knew when to play it straight and camp it up. I'd give POA 1 1/2 stars for the film and another star for the extras. A pity that millions of dollars was wasted on this film. Another criticism--this one directed at 20th Century Fox; the great extras and fine packaging is how the original film classic should have been treated. The shoddy extras on that film and the lack of inclusion of the documentary (or even parts of it) is inexcusable. Although Franklin Schaffer isn't with us any longer (nor Serling, McDowell or Wilson), Kim Hunter and Charleton Heston are very much alive and active. Both could have been called on to provide an audio commentary. Fox needs to take a hint from the reissues that Anchor & Bay have been doing. For a great example of how a film classic should be treated check out The Wicker Man (the 2 disc set) or The Devil Rides Out.
Rating: 
Summary: New, but classic!
Review: I am not normally a Tim Burton fan, but he outdid himself here! The story follows closely to the original film, yet has enough new elements to keep it exciting and new. The make-up is fantastic, the characters interesting, the apes more realistic than ever. It was shot in the same location as the original. All I can say it needs is Charlton Heston, but alas, he's not available! Worth the watch!!!
Rating:
Summary: Planet of the Apes? Again?
Review: Alright. I knew before I started watching the movie that this one wasn't going to be like the last movie. The apes really looked like apes, not humans in costumes. The movements and speech patterns showed that a lot of study and hard work went into making it as realistic as possible. Well, as realistic as any science fiction movie about apes ruling the world could be. Anticipation bubbled inside of me as I waited for Charlton Heston's famed bit part. I even sat through the human vs. ape war near the end. However, after the predictable "goodbye" scene I couldn't stay quiet any longer. If I had to watch it over again, I'd turn the movie off after the hero steps into his conveniently placed space ship and rockets off toward the stars. What came afterwards left me unfullfilled and deeply disappointed. I'd recommend watching the movie for it's action and special effects, but be wary of the ending.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the worst movies of all time
Review: Lord! This is a bad movie. (...) What can I say? I went to this movie fully expecting a stinker, but it exceeded my wildest expectations. Easily the worst film of the new Millenium and it will probably keep that title for at least the next 200-300 years. How can a *remake* have no plot or continuity whatsoever? It boggles the mind. Did anyone involved with this production see any of the previous Planet of the Apes movies? If they did, was it possible they didn't understand them? (...)
Rating: 
Summary: Not as much story, as special effects
Review: LOTS OF FLASH, NOT MUCH SUBSTANCE CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT AND MOTIVATIONS WERE SORELY LACKING
Granted this is based on a sci-fi classic, but not much is done to develop the characters or the story. You get a bare bones idea of what is going on, but it is really not all that clear. If you had not seen the original movie with Charleton Heston, in Mark Walhberg's role, you might be at a loss what was going on. DIALOGUE WAS HARD TO FOLLOW AND MOTIVATIONS NOT UNDERSTOOD:
The dialogue at times was difficult to understand, and you never really get a sense why Thade is so anti-human. I don't want to ruin the story for anyone, but to put it mildly Thade is the major bad guy in this. Over the top in fact.
Like the original you have the sympathetic apes who help the humans. You really don't know why, here though. You also have some heroes and others that have changes of heart. Also you get a half sense of Ape mythology, but it is awfully muddled. SPECIAL EFFECTS APPARENTLY WERE EVERYTHING IN THIS MOVIE
They were magnificent. These apes were very believable from their faces to they way they walked. There is much attention to detail. Especially riveting was their ability to climb. If you really are into this part of movie making, this movie will amaze you with its attention to detail in this respect. THE ENDING IS OBVIOUSLY A SEQUE INTO A SEQUEL:
It was like the original in this respect and offers no comforting ending. The transition to this ending is awkward and a bit out of kilter with the build up to it. I think they cut too many scenes. As a sci-fi fan, I'm afraid to say this has been typical fare of sci-fi movies lately: Great special effects and a minimal story to wrap them around. Come on Hollywood, you can do better!
Rating:
Summary: Doesn't deserve any stars
Review: This is the worst movie I have seen this year. It was just stupid. The whole thing was dumb. Good make-up can't make up for bad acting, bad plot, stupid action scenes, and a stupid ending.
Rating: 
Summary: A true DVD movie experience
Review: After seeing and hearing the mixed reviews, I was hesitant on whether to spend the [dollar amount] for this DVD or not. I'm a Tim Burton fan, but was utterly disappointed in Sleepy Hollow. But Planet of the Apes, like Gladiator, is a truly immersing experience and painstakingly crafted. What makes Apes a truly engrossing experience is Burton's cinematogrophy and the erie, dark sets. The ape village, full of ape street thugs, street musicians, panhandlers, etc. is an absolute hoot and worth forwarding through screen shot by screen shot. The visual and sound quality of the DVD is stunning and reminiscent of Gladiator.
The cast of apes is superb: Tim Roth, as the human-hating General Thade, is absolute pure evil and almost worth the price alone. Micheal Clarke Duncan is downright scary, but excellent as Roth's first-in-command with a conscience. Paul Giamtti, as the orangatang human slave trader, is hysterically funny and nearly steals the movie.
The human stars (Wahlberg and Estella Warren)are just along for the ride, but it doesn't hurt having the most beautiful woman on the planet (human or ape) in the movie (Warren). Dramatically the movie is actually better than I thought it would be, but still the weak part of the movie, and hence only 4 stars. People make too much of the ending, which lasts about 30 seconds, and does not detract from all the great aspects. Defintely a great holiday pickup.
Rating:
Summary: No more monkey business!!
Review: Why does Hollywood always re-make good movies? If, it ain't broken, don't fix it. Planet of the Apes is a good example. If there were never an original, than this would get a higher rating. But there was, and this is nowhere close to as good. If you've never seen the original you'll probably like it. If you have seen the original, don't monkey around with this.
Rating:
Summary: Ending makes you think...but, the clues are there.
Review: I waited with much anticipation for this movie to hit the big screen. I enjoyed the movie but, I was intially shocked by the ending. I spent about 15 minutes with a "huh?" expression on my face. Then it hit when I applied some Star Trek theology to the film. Basically this movie is not about Apes it is about the effects of time travel on past, present, and future. What would happen if we took a P4 Laptop back in time to WWII? Could the war department make use of it? Ok now give that technology to the Germans. What you would get would be an altered present reality dealing not in Apes or men but, Nazi regime. It is here that you must understand this movie makes several assumptions to understand the ending. One General Thade is still alive when Whalburg leaves his planet. Remember the pod at the bottom of the water? General Thade must have found a way to resurrect the pod, power it and enter into the time portal and venture back in time to prehuman dominace and liberate or educate his prehistoric ancestors. When Whalburg arrives in his present day he finds an altered Earth based on what Thade did in the past. Remember time is linear and if you jump back you affect the future. How's that for a lesson in Time Management. LOL. The movie has some of the best costume and makeup I have ever seen. I like the whole bunch of Apes lined up in a row ready to fight..that was cool. Best part of this movie is the satire. I believe a deeper satirical look at the movie will reveal an "indictment" against how we treat animals and others. "Can't we all just get along?" The Real McCoy
Rating:
Summary: A welcome new approach: a deserving 4 stars.
Review: If your going to watch this film, do yourself a favor, don't compare it to the original, because there is nothing to compare it to. Otherwise, your end result will end up like the other ape duds in most of these reviews. These reviewers are taking this film to serious. This film is loaded with visual effects and has the ability to provoke your thinking. It's by far, better then what you seen in the past. Yes, the surprise ending doesn't make sense, but do your time travel math. Add in Thade, the chimpanzee from the space pod, few other things and use your imagination. (This is what I mean by provoking.) You got the good apes and the bad apes. The humans are in the middle and the standoff is elegantly filmed. I wish there was more emphasis on the human rights issue. This film moves: a powerful space pod landing sequence, a quick escape for the humans, a wild chase for the apes and onto the battlefield. I think this fast track bothers a lot people about the film. Whatever way you look at it, the makeup, body suits, grunts and movements of these apes are very realistic and add to the excitement. I enjoyed the ride, hope you do too.
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