24 Years Later, Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes Remains a Rare Perfect Reboot

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Tim Burton is widely considered one of the most important and visually distinctive directors in film history. Films like Edward Scissorhands, Beetlejuice, and his Batman movies were immediate hits and became iconic parts of Hollywood culture. While some feel his more recent work doesn’t quite capture the same magic as his films from the 80s and 90s, he continues to create successful and well-regarded projects. A great example is Wednesday on Netflix, and his 2024 release, Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which earned four times its $100 million budget at the box office.

Throughout his long filmmaking career, Tim Burton has consistently delivered visually stunning movies with impressive effects, no matter the overall quality of the film. While his signature gothic and whimsical style usually leads to the best results, Burton has occasionally experimented with other genres. These experiments have sometimes paid off, as seen in films like Big Fish and Ed Wood, but other times, like with Dumbo and his 2001 remake of Planet of the Apes, they haven’t resonated with critics or audiences.

The 2001 Remake of Planet of the Apes Is Still Tim Burton’s Lowest-Rated Film, but it Deserves Better

Despite a few unsuccessful films throughout his career, Tim Burton’s remake of the classic 1968 sci-fi movie remains his least popular with viewers, even after 24 years. He ventured outside his usual style of quirky, gothic horror to tackle a sci-fi action film based on existing material, and critics and audiences have consistently noted the absence of his distinctive visual flair.

The 2001 film Planet of the Apes received a 43% rating from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, making it Tim Burton’s second lowest-rated movie after his 2012 Dark Shadows. However, audience scores are even lower, at just 27%. This is unusual, given that the film was a box office success, earning $362 million – more than three times its production budget. It seems many fans of Tim Burton went to see it, but were ultimately disappointed.

A lot of the criticism aimed at the film focused on its ending. The main character escapes through a wormhole hoping to return to his old life on Earth, only to discover he’s landed in a world ruled by apes. This is made clear when he sees a massive Lincoln Memorial, but instead of Abraham Lincoln, an ape is sitting in the statue’s chair.

While the ending might seem a bit ridiculous, it’s a deliberate departure from the original film. This change, along with altered characters and a new story path, firmly establishes Burton’s version as a reboot – something that wasn’t common practice in 2001. Ultimately, Burton achieved what reboots are meant to do: offer a fresh take on a familiar story without simply repeating it, and he did so very well.

Planet of the Apes Boasted an All-Time Dream Cast in the 2000s

Beyond being a truly original film, Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes featured an exceptionally talented cast. Mark Wahlberg starred as the lead early in his career, alongside a group of acclaimed and versatile actors, including Helena Bonham Carter, Paul Giamatti, Kris Kristofferson, Michael Clarke Duncan, Cary-Hiroyuki Tagawa, and David Warner, as well as a memorable villain.

General Thade, portrayed with cunning and ruthlessness, intensely hated humans and particularly despised Captain Leo Davidson after Davidson attracted the attention of Ari. This fueled his relentless drive to maintain his brutal control. Actor Rick Roth fully embodied the character, making the reveal of Thade’s face on the “Abraham Lincoln” statue even more impactful.

While Mark Wahlberg’s performance felt a bit flat, the supporting actors truly shone, effortlessly incorporating ape-like movements with their signature acting styles – notably, the powerful presence of Michael Clarke Duncan.

Planet of the Apes’ Makeup and Effects Were Some of the Best in the Decade

The makeup work in this film was particularly impressive, perhaps more so than in any other movie of the decade. While the original film featured ape costumes that largely looked the same on all actors, this reboot took a different approach. It built the costumes around the actors’ faces and natural expressions, enhancing their features with incredible primate makeup rather than masking them.

Rick Baker, a highly respected special effects artist known for his incredible practical makeup work, led the makeup team. He’s particularly famous for his contributions to horror films like An American Werewolf in London, The Funhouse, and Videodrome. Baker had previously worked with Tim Burton on the 1994 film Ed Wood before their collaboration on Planet of the Apes.

Rick Baker’s extensive experience with ape makeup alone made him an ideal candidate for Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes. He’d already proven his skill with the 1976 King Kong remake, and went on to create remarkable ape makeup for films like Gorillas in the Mist, Tarzan: Lord of the Apes, and Mighty Joe Young. When Hollywood needs realistic ape makeup, Rick Baker is the first person filmmakers call.

The film’s impressive technical effects elevate it beyond what would have been an otherwise unremarkable story. Although it was initially considered a flop, rewatching it suggests it’s actually a surprisingly strong reboot.

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2025-11-30 03:15