But no matter how weird the movies get, the franchise has stuck around this long for a reason.
All the films are, at their worst, interesting, and, at their best, iconic.
Sowhere does Wes Ball’s latest entry fare when compared to the other Planet of the Apes movies?
Image by Zanda Rice
Let’s take a look as we rank the films in the franchise from worst to best.
Caesar (Roddy McDowall) stages an uprising that will eventually turn into the apes taking over the world.
Witnessing the brutality inflicted on his fellow apes, Caesar cannot remain silent.
Image via 20th Century-Fox
He organizes a revolt, leading the apes in a coordinated effort to overthrow their human masters.
The uprising escalates into a full-scale conflict, challenging the existing social order.
It came, and it went.
In a world where apes are enslaved by humans and used for labor and domestic work, Caesar, the offspring of intelligent apes Cornelius and Zira, grows up hiding his true identity. Witnessing the brutality inflicted on his fellow apes, Caesar cannot remain silent. He organizes a revolt, leading the apes in a coordinated effort to overthrow their human masters. The uprising escalates into a full-scale conflict, challenging the existing social order.
Burtons direction also leaves much to be desired, with there being very little of his signature style.
However,the biggest problem with this whole film is just that itsvery drawn out and boring.
But that doesnt mean that the film has nothing to offer.
The best parts of this remake are the production design and the effects.
Its a far cry from the barren caves and deserts of the original film.
Themakeup and practical effectsare also some of the best out of any Hollywood film.
Image via 20th Century Fox
To more succinctly describe 2001’sPlanet of the Apes, it’s impressive, but not memorable.
Nonetheless,Beneath the Planet of the Apesis still charming because of just how weird it is.
The movie introduces anunderground society of telepathic humans who all worship an atomic bomb.
A film franchise with time travel, mutants and talking apes - what more could you ask for?
The movie takes place after apes have taken over.
This is the cheapest of the movies, andit shows in the increasingly lower quality of the prosthetic makeup.
There is a logical progression of intelligence.
Some differences can never be overcome.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apessuffers from an over-reliance on suspension of belief.
Theprimary conflict involvesCaesar and his people trying to form a mutual alliance with the nearby human settlement.
Plus, the apes dont just ride horses in this movie, they pilot a tank.
How can you not want to watch a movie where an ape drives a tank?
TheoriginalPlanet of the Apesis so iconic that not much needs to be said about it.
Humans on this planet are mute and treated as inferior beings.
Captured and imprisoned by the apes, Taylor must navigate their complex society to survive.
He gains allies in Zira and Cornelius, two chimpanzee scientists who are intrigued by his intelligence.
There were two new Marvel movies, newChristopher NolanandEdgar Wrightmovies, and the firstWonder Woman.
AlthoughKingdomdoesn’t run with the ball, it at least sets the franchise up for whatWarhad promised.
Image via 20th Century Studios
The story culminates in a dramatic showdown that will shape the future of both apes and humans.
Following the disappearance of astronaut Taylor, fellow astronaut Brent embarks on a rescue mission that brings him to a future Earth dominated by advanced apes. As he searches for Taylor, Brent uncovers an underground city inhabited by mutant humans who possess telepathic powers. These mutants revere an ancient nuclear bomb as their deity. The escalating tensions between the surface-dwelling apes and the subterranean mutants lead to a devastating clash, with Brent caught in the middle of the struggle for control and survival.
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After escaping a catastrophic future, three intelligent apes land in present-day America, challenging the perceptions of the human inhabitants they meet. As the apes struggle to survive in a society that grows increasingly hostile, they uncover dark secrets about the past and the potential future that could alter the course of both species forever.
Image via 20th Century-Fox
Following a nuclear war that has ravaged the Earth, Caesar leads the apes in establishing a new society that includes the surviving humans. His dream of harmony is challenged by General Aldo, a gorilla who believes in ape supremacy and wants to enslave the humans. Meanwhile, a group of humans who have survived in a radioactive city plan an attack to reclaim their world. As tensions mount and conflicts arise, Caesar must fight to protect his vision of a united society in a final, decisive battle.
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Will Rodman, a determined scientist, develops a promising experimental drug to cure Alzheimer’s disease, which he tests on a chimpanzee named Bright Eyes. After the project is shut down, Will takes in her orphaned offspring, Caesar, who exhibits extraordinary intelligence due to the drug. As Caesar matures, he becomes increasingly aware of his unique abilities and the limitations placed on him by human society. Following a violent altercation, Caesar is confined to a primate facility, where he faces abuse. He eventually leads an uprising, utilizing his superior intellect to unite the apes and challenge human authority.
Image via 20th Century Fox
Image via 20th Century Studios
In the midst of a relentless war between humans and apes, Caesar leads his people with wisdom and empathy, hoping to find a peaceful resolution. However, when a merciless Colonel orchestrates a devastating attack on the apes, Caesar is consumed by a desire for revenge. Accompanied by a small group of loyal followers, he sets out on a mission to confront the Colonel and end the conflict. As Caesar faces intense battles and moral dilemmas, he must balance his thirst for vengeance with his duty to ensure the survival of his species. The story culminates in a dramatic showdown that will shape the future of both apes and humans.
