Rating: 
Summary: Well-loved but uneven sci-fi series
Review: If you're an "Apes" fan, you've probably already pre-ordered this set. If you're an "Apes" newbie, maybe you'd better rent some of them first. Here's my take on the 5 films:PLANET OF THE APES - This wildly popular but heavy-handed and amateurishly directed film of Pierre Boulle's "Monkey Planet" still has a great idea going for it. Charlton Heston (overacting as usual) is Taylor, an astronaut stranded in a future world run by a corrupt ape government that keeps humans as slaves. Heston is pretty annoying, but after he's shot in the throat and captured, we identify with his repeated attempts to show the apes he's intelligent. Befriended by sympathetic chimpanzee scientists Zira (Kim Hunter) and Cornelius (Roddy McDowall), Taylor escapes with his new love interest Nova (Linda Harrison) and, in the famous shock ending, finds out where he really is. Repetitive and slow-paced, but fun. With Oscar- winning make-up by John Chambers, one of Jerry Goldsmith's cruder scores, and lots of messagey dialogue about evolution -- you can tell Rod Serling worked on the screenplay. Directed by Franklin J. Schaffner (who did "Patton" next). BENEATH THE PLANET OF THE APES - A lot less poky than the original, and generally more entertaining. Taylor and Nova ride across the Forbidden Zone. Taylor stumbles into the hide-out of some radiation-scarred mutants who presumably survived the nuclear holocaust. They worship a big atomic bomb. The lonely Nova meets another astronaut, Brent (James Franciscus), who's less condescending towards her than Taylor was, though he does try to kill her a couple of times under the telepathic influence of the mutants. Meanwhile, a cadre of gorillas led by Dr. Zaius (Maurice Evans) and the warmonger General Ursus (James Gregory) delve into the Forbidden Zone looking for Brent and Nova. There's some funny, dated social commentary (the pacifist chimpanzees hold a sit-in peace protest against the gorillas) and a typical 1970 ending in which the bomb is detonated and a narrator intones, "An insignificant green planet is dead." Big Chuck was finished with the "Apes" saga but returned the next year in another post-apocalypse cult favorite, "The Omega Man." ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES - Cornelius (Roddy McDowall) and Zira (Kim Hunter), along with a third chimpanzee, Milo (Sal Mineo), manage to escape from Earth 3955 before it blows up. They land on Earth 1973. The tables are turned as Cornelius and Zira are befriended by kindly scientists Bradford Dillman and Natalie Trundy. Cynical genius Eric Braeden (now on "The Young and the Restless") wants to kill the apes, who are expecting a baby. Helpful circus owner Ricardo Montalban takes them in and adopts their baby, who goes on to star in the next installment. Passable entertainment, but it's no fun watching the likable, witty Cornelius and Zira become hairy martyrs. With a rinky-dink score by Jerry Goldsmith and a confusing explanation of infinite regression. Watch for M. Emmet Walsh as the military aide with the oranges, and don't get too attached to Milo. CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES - It's 1991, and humans have turned apes into pets because all the cats and dogs were killed by an outer-space virus in 1983. Over the past eight years the apes got smart enough to be conditioned as domestic servants. Enter Caesar (Roddy McDowall), the adult son of Cornelius and Zira. Caesar's friend Ricardo Montalban has kept him away from society. When Caesar sees how humans are brutalizing apes, he gets mad and starts planning a revolution. With a band of orangutans, chimps, and gorillas, he clashes with the human army and gives a stirring speech. It's the shortest film in the series, but it's lead-footed and erratic, with the climactic skirmish shot way too close in. Typical piece of hackwork from J. Lee Thompson, who also directed the next and last one. It's the only PG-rated "Apes" movie (the rest were G), probably because of increased violence and lots of electroshock torture. BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES - An okay finale. It opens in 2678, with John Huston as the Lawgiver, a wise old orangutan who teaches his class about Caesar (Roddy McDowall). The rest of the movie is set in about 2015 and involves Caesar's problems with the barbarous gorilla General Aldo (Claude Akins) and a band of mutants from the Forbidden Zone. The film brings the "Apes" saga almost full circle, with the humans in Ape City reduced to slaves (who can still speak, having not been lobotomized yet). The battle scenes are staged better than in "Conquest," and there's a lot of action and the usual political parallels (at one point Caesar says "Let us reason together," just like LBJ). Also with Lew Ayres, Paul Williams, Austin Stoker ("Assault on Precinct 13"), and John Landis as a human slave. Landis got to know "Apes" make-up designer John Chambers, who later appeared in Landis' directing debut "Schlock." The irony of the "Apes" series is that it preaches non-bigotry, but it's still racist on some level. The warlike, bestial gorillas are dark-skinned; the more intelligent and peaceful orangutans and chimpanzees are light-skinned. Fox may have been able to get away with that in the early '70s, but if they want to revive the franchise today they'd better rethink the color-coding a little.
Rating: 
Summary: One of the best collections EVER!
Review: I had the 5 VHS Collection and was amazed at the picture quality that those tapes had, but this takes it one step further. You would not believe the quality of picture and sound from these remastered DVDs. It is absolutely remarkable that movies made more than 30 years ago can look so incredibly clear and sound so great. There are of better quality than some movies just made a couple of years ago. I have always been a big fan of Planet Of The Apes and this brings it to life like never before. Included in this Box Set is the very interesting, in-depth documentary "Behind The Planet Of The Apes" which includes interviews of the actors and the many creative people who were responsible for making one of the all-time classic film series ever made. This is a dream come true! I am glad I got mine, because if I had hesitated, I would have missed out. It is now Out-Of-Print and unavailable anywhere including here, until it happens to be released again into production. If you ever find it - grab it! You won't be sorry.
Rating: 
Summary: Some are fantastic - others, not.
Review: The first couple movies in this boxset are fantastic. Simply fantastic - they take you away to another world. Easy to follow, and they make you think... However...the last 2 movies in the boxset are.....strange. Somewhat get off topic a bit - and are a bit hard to understand. Takes this far fetched idea...a bit too far fetched. Essential to own though if you are a Planet of the Apes fan in the least...it's complete.
Rating:
Summary: Grab The Planet Of The Apes Evolution Soon!
Review: This set is wonderful! All 5 films plus a bonus documentary hosted by the late great Roddy McDowall, Behind The Planet Of The Apes is a 126 minute making of which shows the origins and the ideas that lead to the filming of the saga which began in 1967, thru the rest of the films 'til 1973 as well as the two television series (live action and animated) and the rereleasing of the films and marketing. But you have to buy this set soon because after the first 100,000 are sold, the next sets will not, I repeat, will not include the Behind The Planet Of The Apes documentary, which, to me, is the best special feature you get with these movies. The lowdown on the films is this: Planet Of The Apes is a classic. Trust me, if you don't like this one you won't like the rest. The ending is historic. Beneath The Planet Of The Apes is a good second effort. I just wish Charlton Heston would've starred in the entire picture instead of the beginning and ending. (note: the trailer for this film is different from the one given on the VHS version (you can still see parts of that one on the documentary)). Escape From The Planet Of The Apes is a very original installment which takes place in the past circa 1973. This one is lighter and more fun up until the end. Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes is the most underated of all the Apes films. This is the only ape film that recieved a PG rating for violence and deservedly so, but what makes this one unique is Roddy McDowell's understated performance as Ceaser, the ape who would lead his brothers and sisters to victory over the humans who have enslaved them. This is the darkest of the set and, to me, deserves better recognition. Battle For The Planet Of The Apes is a decent 5th installment. This film was made primarily for the kiddies, so, bearing that in mind you should know what to expect and even so, this film is still quite entertaining. None of these films were a boxoffice failure. They all made money. So go ape and grab this set, which includes the trailers for all 5 films, a photo gallery for the first 2 films and of course, the documentary, Behind The Planet Of The Apes. Don't dawdle, grab this set soon. You don't want to give up the documentary. It's a perfect companion to the rest of the films that gives you some great insight and will be highly collectable in the near future.
Rating:
Summary: The DVD Collection for Apes fans!
Review: The only Planet of the Apes movie I had seen prior to purchasing this set was the first one, and I really had never watched that movie start to finish either. Let me say that all five of the apes movies are beatifully remastered on dvd. All have excellent picture and sound quality, and along with a sixth behind the scenes disk, it makes this the ultimate Planet of the Apes collection, and would be a great addition to anyones dvd collection. After finally seeing and enjoying all five films I have really fallen in love with this series, and now can't wait to see Tim Burtons remake in the near future. What I really liked about this set was the inclusion of the sixth disc which explains the series which was made before I was born. I was shocked to learn at how low the budgets for each successive movies became, and how they did it for such a small amount. All the sets were magnificent, and with todays world of cgi, its nice to see how older films were made back in the day. I totally recommend anyone purchasing this dvd set. Sure its a fair bit expensive, but its all five movies plus a bonus disc, so overall its quite reasonable.
Rating:
Summary: Saga
Review: This is a great movie series. The problem is that it tends to drag after the third movie. However, all, and all I do like this. It's very different from the book but good non the less. I recommend it to any one who has ever wondered what would happened if another creature ruled earth.
Rating:
Summary: forgot how good these movies were
Review: The first movie is odviously the best, followed by the second and then the Conquest/Battle series. Escape is goofy, but ties together the "astronaut sequence" and the "Heir to the Throne" sequence. That is incentive enough to watch all five in order(not all in a day of course). The two hour documentary is interesting, but not tiring and represents all of the movies, and is not the rediculous six-hour documenary/reality show with boring actors whining about how hard it was to make the movie, like most DVD sets. Lord of the Rings for example has six hours doc/reality drama per movie, I am now totally dis-enchanted with LotR, thanks alot, Jackson and team! With PoA I am totally more interested in the movies. Thanks Roddy McDowel(sincerely)Whining only constructively presant and not excessive. Peas and Carrots, never would've thought.
Rating:
Summary: The Best Science Fiction Series Ever
Review: Okay, let's start this review by saying if you have not seen Tim Burtons version of Planet of the Apes... DO NOT SEE IT EVEN IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT. IT HAS A HARD TO UNDERSTAND STORYLINE AND THE ENDING MAKES NO SENSE! Anyway, let's go back about 35 years ago when Charlton Heston was young and healthy, when the Planet of the Apes saga began with Planet of the Apes. Now here is a list of the films in this set:
Planet of the Apes- The Best in the series. Starring Charleton Heston as Taylor and Roddy Mcdowal(Did I spell that right?) as Corneleus. The ending us shocking and it is the only one the critics like.
Beneath the Planet of the Apes- Not as good as the first, but still excellent. Starring James Franciscus as Brent and our friend Charelton Heston as Taylor again.
Escape from the Planet of the Apes- The Best of the sequels and the last with original characters. Starring Mcdowall as Corneleus and Ricardo Montalban as Armondo.
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes- The revolt of the Apes is very well done. It's the only ape film rated PG. Starring Mcdowall as Corneleus's son Caeser and Ricardo Montalbon as Armando.
Battle for the Planet of the Apes- Sadly, the last of the series and another battle between the apes anf d humans. Starring Mcdowall as Ceaser again.
Behind the Planet of the Apes- a documentory for all the films. I haven't seen it, but my uncle said it was good. So here are your options: 1. Buy this on DVD or video 2. rent them 3, Watch them on AMC.
Go Apes!!!!!!!!!!
Rating:
Summary: We must have Anamorphic Widescreen and a extended #5!
Review: These are great films. The problem is thay aren't enhanced for widescreen 16x9. That's a major problem, since widescreen TVs will push the bars down, making the picture stretch out unattractively. I recommend that they be released like the Alien set, and be enhanced for 16x9 widescreen. Another complaint is that the fifth film is missing important footage that links it to the second. I would really like to see it. If the director (if he's still alive) doesn't want to re-edit them, he could put them on the special features. . .
Rating:
Summary: A THOUGHT PROVOKING BLAST FROM THE PAST
Review: I loved these movies as a child!!! I remember seeing each film as it came out in the theatre. I was so enthralled by them that I also purchased the movie novelizations (the lone exception being Pierre Boulle's original book that was the basis for the first film). Being an adult now, I can watch them in a whole different light. I can now see the parallels of the stories that mirror the times in which they were told. Back then, I was just happy that the first movie wasn't anything like Boulle's book. This is an excellent boxed set of DVDs that collects all 5 films in one shot. I will admit up front that the plot does wear thin as the series goes on (and the running times also keep getting shorter) but you have to admit that with the exception of 2001 (which was released the same year as Planet Of The Apes) these movies pushed the boundaries of filmed sci-fi. Okay, from the top - Planet Of The Apes (1968 - 112 minutes). This is the first one that got it all started. It was based on Pierre Boulle's translated novel. With the strongest storyline (co-scripted by Rod Serling), a good cast (headed up by Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall), and music by Jerry Goldsmith (available on CD), this is easily the best entry in the series. This was followed by Beneath The Planet Of The Apes (1970 - 100 minutes). The notable things about this one are that Cornelius is played by David Watson (McDowall isn't even in the movie !!!), Heston returns as Taylor, the music is by Leonard Rosenman, and Natalie Trundy puts in her first appearance of the series as the mutant Albina. Next up is Escape From The Planet Of The Apes (1971 - 98 minutes). This marks the return of McDowall (as Cornelius), Goldsmith again doing the music (part of which can be found on the above mentioned POTA soundtrack CD), Trundy playing a normal human (Dr. Stephanie Branton), Sal Mineo doing a cameo (as Dr. Milo), and Ricardo Montalban (as Armando). A year later Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes (1972 - 88 minutes) was released. This finds McDowall playing his own (Cornelius') grown up son (Caesar), Trundy switching over to an ape (Lisa), Montalban again playing Armado, Severn Darden playing Kolp, and Tom Scott doing the music. The fifth and final installment, Battle For The Planet Of The Apes (1973 - 86 minutes), finds Darden returning as a mutant Kolp, Trundy's Lisa now married to McDowall's Caesar, John Huston doing a cameo as The Law Giver, Rosenman again doing the music, Paul Williams playing Virgil (bet they saved money on his make-up), and a young John Landis as Jake's (Caesar's son) friend. To top off this boxed set, they've included a 6th disc, Behind The Planet Of The Apes (1998 - 120 minutes), that gives you a wonderful behind the scenes look at the series and is hosted by the man himself, Roddy McDowall. So, if this set is so wonderful, why did I only give it 4 stars? Because if this was really the ultimate boxed set, they would have included the double disc set of Behind The Planet Of The Apes which includes 199 more minutes. I found out about this deluxe version while I was scribbling notes for this review. Now I'll have to go purchase that to have the definitive collection of Ape DVDs. Don't let that stop you from buying this set though as I don't think the individual DVDs are available for purchase (POTA and the deluxe Behind The POTA being the exceptions). All in all, a thought provoking blast from the past. Pass the popcorn please.
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