A 5 movie review!
Planet of the Apes (1968) (G)

The original Planet of the Apes is classic story where astronauts are lost and arrive on a strange planet inhabited by intellectual apes. Humans are viewed as beastly and are the slaves of the word to the superior apes, which is the classic tables-are-turned theory.
Its been a little while since Ive seen the movie, but it worked all right. This was the birth of what would be a pretty good series of sci-fi movies.
This movie is considered a classic and for good reason. If you dont know what happens in this movie, I suggest you not reading my reviews of the later movies for this series, because it will give away the storyline which is fascinating. And if you havent seen it and dont know what happens, it can be quite shocking when it all boils down to it all.
The movie really didnt have a whole lot more going for it other than the revolutionary idea it conveyed and the good plot. Acting was adequate and special effects were that of the 1960s. Still they should never have touched this film.
4 out of 5
Beneath Planet of the Apes (1970) (G)

The rough plot is another astronaut goes searching for the missing astronauts and is shocked to find the Planet of the Apes. He also discovers a race of humans that recovered from nuclear war. These humans however adore the atomic bomb that almost destroyed them. Once more it is potentially active.
Hrm...this was pretty obviously a sequel trying to capitalize on the popularity of the first movie. However it aint all that bad. It progresses through the storyline, and while this film lacked memorable scenes or good acting there were still some very good moments in this movie, and the plot was given a boost.
This movie certainly could have been better, and had you gone into this film expecting the same stuff from the first movie, youll be hurt pretty bad. Still I really liked the scenery in this movie, which was an improvement from the first, especially the New York Subway line...that was very cool.
3 out of 5
Escape from Planet of the Apes (1971) (G)

The plot continues through, and this is the centerpiece of the plot where the puzzle pieces start to come into place on how Earth could have turned into what it did in the first 2 films. Before the nuclear blast in the 2nd movie occured, 2 apes escaped, and they would land on Earth a few years after the other astronauts left. Of course it is a male and a female ape, one that is much more intelligent than their old-Earth counterparts.
Wow, the plot again is the center of this film, and you start to understand why all this happens. This film is far better than the rather lightweight Beneath Planet of the Apes. The charcters in this film are really interesting in this film, possibly the best they had ever been. You really feel like youre cheering for the apes for the first time, because now theyre the minority. Its all the government vs these 2 escaped apes.
Though this film appears to have the least amount of action or amount of shock the other 4 have, this is the most compelling of them. I felt this movie is possibly the most enjoyable to watch over and over again. Hopefully the 2nd film didnt turn you away from the series.
5 out of 5
Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972) (G)

The plot is now apes are being treated as slaves as populations for other creatures falter. However there is now an intelligent ape that escaped the clutches of the government in the previous movie. He is being helped by Ricardo Montelban, playing a circus keeper who has raised the ape (he made appearances in the previous film). However, the circus keeper's death by way of the government enrages the intelligent ape and he gets a revolution against the humans.
This film isnt all that bad. Its a bit of a jump from the previous movie, but its still pretty good. If you follow along the plot alright youre now not quite sure who to cheer for. You want to cheer for the apes, but then again, no you dont. At least thats how I felt. Again, its just progressing this massive plot that actually explains the weird and shocking plot line.
Acting again isnt superior, but its pretty good. The characters again are not bad. Not as good as the previous movie though. If youve followed through the Planet of the Apes franchise so far, this film will fit in nicely in your memory.
4 out of 5
Battle for Planet of the Apes (1973) (G)

The rough plot is the Earth is now being run by the Apes after the successful rebellion in the previous film. Humans now work for the apes in this harmony. However there are still mutants living the earth under destroyed cities after the nuclear attacks.
Augh! They came so close to having all movies in a large series in adequate position! But no, the 5th film flops out big time. This was the most cardboard piece of crap in the series. What a shame!
Still it continues to explain the plot line and finishes it up, completing the full circle in the series, making it all make sense. So if youve watched the first 4 films, while this one will leave you with a bad taste in your mouth, at least the story will be complete.
But really, if youve enjoyed the previous 4 films, please brace yourself for this film. It was a lot of nonsense with only 1 good scene towards the end. In fact only 2 scenes are worth remembering.
2 out of 5
If at first you dont succeed, dont try skydiving
Both diapers and politicians need to be changed--and usually for the same reasons