'PLANET OF THE APES' FILMS FRANCHISE (1968-2017)

The series begins with 'Planet of the Apes', based loosely on the book written by Pierre Boulle in 1963. The success of the film led to a series of 5 films, all of which are under the science fiction and adventure genre. In 2001, 20th Century Fox released a remake with the same title, this time featuring American actor, Mark Wahlberg as the main lead. However, due to its mixed reviews and criticism on the narrative and poorly executed story; the series was ultimately cancelled even though there were talks of creating a sequel. It wasn't until 2011 when Fox decided to reboot the series with 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' starring Andy Serkis as 'Caesar' and James Franco. Following its success, Fox released a trilogy with Andy Serkis returning as Caesar for the two follow up films.

What brought me to this franchise was the original film, 'Planet of the Apes'. It is quite unexpected for someone who lived her childhood in the 2000s to even sit down and watch a film from the 60s. However, my passion for films is not limited to films' release dates. At the time, I wasn't exposed to recent films therefore I was easily amazed by the effects regardless of how 'outdated' they were. Moreover, the narratives of classic films are a lot more original than what we get now. Companies are more invested in producing sequels and remakes than taking time to write an original story. Is the film industry running out of fresh ideas?

Ultimately, it was the reboot series that made me a fan. Not only is Andy Serkis my favourite actor of all time, but the use of motion capture is extraordinary in these films. Knowing that the production company were pushing the boundaries to see how far motion capture can go within the production of these films. Experimenting it with the weather can be tough, but they managed to make it work, through rain and snow (literally if you have watched the sequels). I have watched behind the scenes footages for the reboot series and you can admire whilst you watch how the actors put so much effort and emotions into their work. It clearly shows as we, the audience, feel empathy for the apes in the film and start to develop compassion for them. You know you have succeeded if you have made your audience feel something towards animals that are not real; just captured digitally and through motion capture performed by actors.

ORIGINAL SERIES

APJAC Productions, 20th Century Fox

Age Certificate: PG

IMDb: 8/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 87/100

Plot

An astronaut crew crash-lands on a planet in the distant future where intelligent talking apes are the dominant species, and humans are the oppressed and enslaved.

My rating: 8.9/10

APJAC Productions, 20th Century Fox

Age Certificate: U

IMDb: 6.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 38/100

Plot

The sole survivor of an interplanetary rescue mission searches for the only survivor of the previous expedition. He discovers a planet ruled by apes and an underground city run by telepathic humans.

My rating: 4.9/10

APJAC Productions, 20th Century Fox

Age Certificate: PG

IMDb: 6.3/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 77/100

Plot

The world is shocked by the appearance of three talking chimpanzees, who arrived mysteriously in a U.S. spacecraft. They become the toast of society, but one man believes them to be a threat to the human race.

My rating: 7/10

APJAC Productions, 20th Century Fox

Age Certificate: PG

IMDb: 6.1/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 50/100

Plot

In a futuristic world that has embraced ape slavery, Caesar, the son of the late simians Cornelius and Zira, surfaces after almost twenty years of hiding out from the authorities, and prepares for a slave revolt against humanity.

My rating: 6.7/10

APJAC Productions, 20th Century Fox

Age Certificate: PG

IMDb: 5.5/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 36/100

Plot

Ten years after a worldwide series of ape revolutions and a brutal nuclear war among humans, Caesar must protect survivors of both species from an insidious human cult and a militant ape faction alike.

My rating: 6/10

REMAKE

The Zanuck Company, 20th Century Fox

Age Certificate: 12

IMDb: 5.7/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 44/100

Plot

In 2029, an Air Force astronaut crash-lands on a mysterious planet where evolved, talking apes dominate a race of primitive humans.

My rating: 5.9/10

REBOOT SERIES

Chernin Entertainment, 20th Century Fox

Age Certificate: 12A

IMDb: 7.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 82/100

Plot

A substance designed to help the brain repair itself gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising.

My rating: 9/10

Chernin Entertainment, TSG Entertainment, 20th Century Fox

Age Certificate: 12A

IMDb: 7.6/10

Rotten Tomatoes: 90/100

Plot

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier.

My rating: 9.2/10