Review of Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971) by Marcus K — 08 Dec 2018

Taylor's take on this advanced species may not be perpetually competent, but is a pedigree to mature entertainment itself.

Escape From The Planet Of The Apes.

Taylor's take on this advanced species may not be perpetually competent, but is a pedigree to mature entertainment itself. The concept is a mature taken on human nature peeled skin by skin with a sci-fi twist of time travelling ingredient that spices things up. The first half of the tale is intriguing and gripping that moves fluently with adaptive and absorbing narration with both humor and fascinating characteristics displayed about characters in order to lure the audience in. And if first half is taken lightly, the second half is equally intense, with slow pace, mature conversation and revelations and nail biting close calls.

And it is one of those things where you are worried about these extremely likeable characters that something will go wrong. And the makers being aware of it, uses that crisp tense environment to keep us at the brisk of our emotions. And on that uncertainty of the trajectory that the makers are about to follow, it is a complete triumph. And as usually such new species does, the innocence is what draws out most of the emotions and with a compelling storytelling and moving characters, the objective is jaggedly on mark. McDowall as a mature overprotective and more grounded to the practicality is convincing but Hunter's more human and emotionally fueled character steals the show.

With a heartbreaking final act, the franchise manages to answer the big and essential questions raised in here, that shows the surrender of a species to fear, thirst and unawareness of the horror that it can capture and project. Taylor's vision has a certain tone that is soothing and poignant at the same time which he has managed to keep it balanced. Escape From The Planet Of The Apes is a forward pass to this franchise on a more similar direction but it is also pushing its boundaries.