Why the Planet of the Apes Just Hits Different

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About this video essay:
A thorough review of the Planet of the Apes series that examines the evolution of its filmmaking and philosophy.
Content:
00:00 A Journey Through 9 Movies
01:32 Rise of a Reboot
04:08 A Misunderstood Prequel
06:47 Resetting the Thematic Approach
11:36 Dawn of a New Metaphor
14:38 The Cornerstone of a Species
17:57 What Ceasar Learns the Hard Way
20:45 A Somber Conclusion
23:00 That Which Makes Us, Us
26:23 What Started It All
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[@LikeStoriesofOld]

For an even deeper dive into the Planet of the Apes series, head on over to Nebula for an exclusive 25-minute discussion on the original Planet of the Apes sequels: nebula.tv/videos/lsoo-the-most-bonkers-franchise-of-the-20th-century Get Nebula using my link for 40% off an annual subscription: nebula.tv/lsoo What do you think about the Planet of the Apes series? What are your expectations for the upcoming Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes? Let me know below!

[@sboinkthelegday3892]

Review The Flight of Dragons 1982, and then its upcoming remake by Wes Ball, "The Legend of Zelda".

[@theveganarmy]

Have you seen this deep dive into the history of apes in science fiction kzbin.info/www/bejne/iZnVqKWrirqKo7s

[@kevinsmith5901]

This is my favorite video essay. Thank you for this. Cheers.

[@Not_So_Slim_Shady]

I gotta say I disagree about War. I think Caesar losing hope in himself and his ability to lead the apes only to be thrown into prison with them and agonizingly learn that he can and needs to fight for them and that there's only hope where we make it was really powerful.

[@aaronrivera6732]

Oh you cooked with this comment

[@teejaykaye4357]

Wholeheartedly agree

[@roberto987]

Dang you are abso right

[@helmetfire5973]

Yes Brother ❤. Comments Section Together Strong 💪

[@A.s.s.777]

Came to write just that! Besides the resulting consequences of humans actions and the loss of language is really appealing to our weaknesses.

[@arthursboypusshe3613]

One of the coolest parts about Caesar’s story in the movies is his level of intelligence compared to the other apes. He had inherited the 112 and he got 2 separate doses of the 113, putting him on a completely different level than the other apes. He could have easily thought he was superior to them, but he had so much love and compassion in his heart that he wanted nothing but for them to be safe and live happily.

[@MR.LMR1996]

Caesar was one hell of a leader to his people. Can't find the words to describe it, but he downright earned the loyalty of the Apes he lead.

[@arthursboypusshe3613]

@@MR.LMR1996 he was more than human. He transcended humanity entirely, I think that’s why it’s hard to come up with a word to describe him.

[@Patch801]

Its not just the drug enhancement, he was raised by humans, his human father and grandfather where both very intwlligent and his experiences in that home with his grandfather going through Alzheimers gave him great compassion.

[@MR.LMR1996]

@@Patch801 Indeed. He had a good upbringing compared to most apes.

[@finnshea500]

He ended up more advanced than humans, emotional intelligence was off the charts!

[@tara-faepeckham4199]

The moment Caesar speaks in Rise, not just repeating but answering in defiance, will forever be one of the most powerful cinematic experiences I will ever have

[@MammothBehemoth]

It was so inspiring, it became my motto in life. The word I live by moving forward the time I heard Ceasar said NO

[@LuisSierra42]

Same, I watched the movie so long ago, but that scene is the first thing I remember when anyone mentions these movies

[@thisguy8106]

For me, "LEAVE HIM!" is every bit as powerful, especially with the stakes involved in that scene.

[@ricomajestic]

@@MammothBehemoth That was done first in Conquest of the Planet of the Apes though in the original series!

[@ellentheeducator]

I especially love it paired with the bit in the original franchise - a word he had been told repeatedly but not allowed to say

[@mastpg]

"They're doomed, you know." "Yes. But... a thing isn't beautiful because it lasts."

[@centurionstrengthandfitnes3694]

This. Best comment.

[@projectstoicism]

whats this from

[@mastpg]

@@projectstoicism The deepest, most universally cathartic and enlightening work in human history...I shouldn't need to lead you further down the path.

[@lupita5592]

@@projectstoicismAvengers: Age of Ultron

[@TyBe-uo4ud]

@@lupita5592 LMAO

[@UATU.]

Whenever I see Andy Serkis, I get a little pissed that he doesn’t have an Oscar. If they ever create a mo cap category he should be retroactively awarded one for every role he’s done.

[@elijahalbiston]

He's the only actor I vividly know and massively admire both for their acting in and out of a suit. He's got Gollum, Caesar, (enough said with those two really), but also Captain Haddock. Then he fricking blows you away with such a short, tragic, and POWERFUL role in Andor, he plays a great villain in the MCU, the man is really good at every one of those roles he takes on.

[@philipwolny3951]

I honestly think they should expand their horizons and acknowledge outstanding portrayals like his in the existing best acting categories. So much physicality involved, and subtle facial cues, etc., in these roles by pioneers like Serkis are so underappreciated and deserve recognition!

[@uhwaykin]

One thing that helps to that end is to refer to it as performance capture. After all, Serkis didn’t just lend motion to those roles; he gave compelling and physical performances.

[@alesanchez87]

​@@uhwaykinWord. And talking about compelling physical performances, what about Doug Jones? He and Andy really are in a different category.

[@uhwaykin]

@@alesanchez87 Both masters of acting physicality, for sure.

[@a.jthomas6132]

I remember the fight between Caesar and Malfoy the first time in Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The theaters went on cheering in the 2011 release. But when the moment Caesar said "NO!", the entire theater went dead silent. What an amazing moment!

[@ajnunez8788]

Aren’t theaters supposed to be silent tho…

[@ximono]

@@ajnunez8788 Not in the US, I guess?

[@crypticcorvid]

@@ajnunez8788 Each theater is different, and it depends on what type of crowd is going. Most theaters are silent, except for laughter or gasps as they're watching the movie. Sometimes theaters will have crowds that scream, cheer, clap, or even yell out lines as the movie plays. You usually only get the loud crowds for opening day/week of super hyped up films, or sometimes it's just the area you watch it in. I'd assume it works this way for all theaters though, not just in the US lol.

[@somerandomguy2073]

​​@@crypticcorvid Never seen audiences cheer or clap in a British cinema. Then again, I haven't been to a cinema in years, so that might have changed.

[@vetiverose128]

"malfoy" lol 😂

[@elijah6142]

I think what makes War the perfect third movie for me IS the revenge plot, but ONLY because the second movie does such a great job building up Caesar's family. It makes their deaths shocking, brutal, and truly feel unjust. In lesser directorial hands the the second movie would have had just left Caesar's kid as a background easter egg. But having him go through such a well developed arc in Dawn makes his brutal death (and his wife's) hit so hard.

[@Catullus_J_5]

I honestly love how much attention this trilogy has seemed to be getting lately. I've always felt these films are criminally underrated, especially Dawn.

[@Jimbo1221]

Just watched the whole trilogy for the first time. THEYRE SO GOOD!!!!! It's definitely the best and consistent trilogy ever made I think

[@thebrocialist8300]

Dawn was the best of the rebooted franchise -by far.

[@f1nger605]

My interpretation of the Aldo/Caesar discontinuity is that the Planet of the Apes timeline is not a closed loop. Meaning that Cornelius is indeed from a timeline where Aldo was the first Ape to rebel, thereby creating a society doomed to emulate the self-destructive tendencies of humans, while Caesar created a timeline where the apes learned from the mistakes of humans and ultimately created a more harmonious future that managed to avoid destruction.

[@mrwisdomdude]

Now I don’t have to say it. I think a lot of people miss that this is a time travel story with changing timelines.

[@matthewkuchinski1769]

I think that is indeed a possibility, especially given how Professor Virgil in "Battle for the Planet of the Apes" had specifically mentioned his theory of alternative timelines whereby choices made at one point could lead to one path, yet another choice could lead to a different result. Yet also it could be, based upon the ambiguity of Caesar's statues tears, that the timeline of "Planet of the Apes" (1968) and "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" (1970) will be the end result no matter what one does, as Doctor Otto Hasslein argued in "Escape from the Planet of the Apes" (1971). Of course, Doctor Hasslein was the villain of the aforementioned film, but his views might be sound based on the fact that even though Cornelius and Zira did not intend to cause harm, their ship unwittingly carried the virus that destroyed all dogs and cats, bringing to fruition the events of the first two movies and the story of ape civilization according to the sacred texts written by the Lawgiver. Furthermore, a possibility exists that General Aldo still had some gorillas loyal to him and that they somehow launched a coup against Caesar's newfound society, rewrote in the texts Aldo's name as the leader of the revolution, and had reprogrammed ape society to think so, thus rendering the possible positive future Caesar would have left null and void.

[@ricopena2053]

Are all dogs and cats dead in the 2010s reboots? Because I don’t remember seeing any in Dawn and War.

[@matthewstarkie4254]

@@matthewkuchinski1769 Perhaps the alternate timeline eventually leads into the TV show which is subtly different than the '68 film (with villages of talking humans and such), and could be an alternate take on Beneath (with it starting with the second spaceship crash).

[@StarzGecko]

@@ricopena2053Probably most domesticated pets didn’t make it and probably those that survived are in areas that are far away. Like say Cat island in Japan likely would still have cats for example but most places in the world wouldn’t have many anymore.

[@chris.shamblin]

This is the most underrated film trilogy of all time, both in terms of quality and technical achievement. I also think it's the very rare example of a trilogy that I personally felt got even better with each installment, despite already starting with an A+ right out of the gate.

[@brandonshane1432]

Now, there's Kingdom, so, it's no longer just a trilogy.....

[@LordMalice6d9]

The Planet of The Apes trilogy and/or franchise is the only reboot trilogy in recent memory that I can say where every movie has been great.

[@samya1231]

The reboot trilogy is so damn underrated despite being acclaimed and grossing over 1.5 billion at the BO ! 😢

[@stephentosterud9375]

Have you seen the originals? There a big step forward, in my opinion. But a lot of remakes fall short.

[@darinsingleton3553]

The reboot is simultaneously "acclaimed" & "underrated." Interesting.

[@thatfilmydesaikid]

@@darinsingleton3553 I could be wrong but I believe "acclaimed" refers to critical acclaim while "underrated" points to public chatter, be it offline or online. It's only in these past few years, from what I've seen, and what with a new Planet of the Apes film coming up, that the chatter has steadily risen.

[@turtleanton6539]

Yes🎉

[@jakefisher3328]

They put characters first. What a WILD concept.

[@jackm.1628]

That's why they suck. Plot first is better.

[@LordMalice6d9]

​@@jackm.1628Plot, characterization, then story in that order. You cannot have a good story without an interesting plot and characters.

[@allocater2]

“You're an interesting species. An interesting mix. You're capable of such beautiful dreams, and such horrible nightmares. You feel so lost, so cut off, so alone, only you're not. See, in all our searching, the only thing we've found that makes the emptiness bearable, is each other.”

[@johnbarrett4846]

Stolen movie quote to make yourself look aloof and intelligent. Nice try. Contact, written by Carl Sagan 🤣🤣🤣

[@jimmy2k4o]

Contact?

[@jimmy2k4o]

@@johnbarrett4846he did put “” marks to be fair?

[@johnbarrett4846]

@@jimmy2k4o Okay i'll give him that. He probably wasn't expecting anyone to guess the book/movie the quote was from so quickly. I have the book and dvd.

[@OOOOOO-dx7zu]

@@johnbarrett4846 lol get over yourself

[@milo_thatch_incarnate]

I just watched Dawn, Rise, and War for the first time this year, in 2024! I’ve always been a huge sci-fi/fantasy nerd, but I’ve never watched these because they just didn’t look like they would be that interesting. I was so wrong. my jaw literally dropped open and my eyes popped open when Caesar said “NO” in the first film! I just finished war of the planet of the apes, and I love all of them. They’re so well MADE, which is rare these days! The CGI and motion capture still hold up amazingly, I thought all of the expressions in their faces was just incredible. So glad I gave them a chance.

[@punchout2418]

Just thinking about Caesar responding to Draco Malfoy in Rise gives me goosebumps. They used that line from the original movie perfectly. Way better than it was used in Tim Burton's ape movie.

[@ellentheeducator]

One of the things I loved in Rise (I just watched it last night because of this video) was that it seemed to argue that intelligence is tied to kindness. As Caesar developes thought and speech, it is shown through him showing kindness and care and connection. He shows tool use by helping his grandfather eat breakfast. He shows an understanding of social connection by protecting that grandfather. He solves the problem of being bullied not just through intelligence but by being kind to Buck. I would argue that even leading that revolution and escape was him bringing that kindness to the beings that were denied it.

[@Armstrong1781]

the production quality EXCEEDS the highest standards of all the media I consumed in last few years Well done

[@jackanderson674]

YES. I've always thought these films were so underrated

[@mikebasil4832]

Certainly their messages about the consequences of war, hate and prejudice which should be all the more appreciated today. Thank you, Tom. 👍🏻

[@wtfaleisa]

I watched the three most recent ones (Rise, Dawn, War) and I absolutely loved them. Can’t wait for Kingdom

[@khayalakhemadlala335]

I like the one with James Franco, I love how it delved deep into the lore of the ape's evolution and the acting is fantastic.

[@lauramitrea]

The movie was good enough that I managed to watch it despite James Franco being in it. I really don't like him as an actor.

[@IbbyB.]

I always see some not liking him, what don't you like about him? 😂 I'm not a massive movie watcher but big POTA fan, and think he's been great or good enough in what I've seen of him ​@@lauramitrea

[@bleepbloop8081]

​@@IbbyB. James Franco fell out of favor with a lot of people mostly due to his behavior of s*xually abusing students in his acting classes. Some also criticized some work he directed, specifically his adaptation of "As I Lay Dying"

[@lauramitrea]

@@IbbyB. I honestly just find him annoying. Like I feel like I can see him (the actor) in the characters he plays - and his personality is just annoying to me. He's basically the same in Oz as he is in this. Unconvincing. Feels like a kid in a play that can't wait to wave to his mum in the audience. I feel he lacks commitment. Would have felt the same if he was a wonderful guy irl, he just grates on me. Just happens sometimes.

[@lauramitrea]

@@bleepbloop8081 this doesn't help, but I've always disliked him as an actor.

[@ristoravela652]

One of my favorite things about this trilogy, and I think a big reason which makes it stand apart, is that each movie is a whole arc and its own story. The themes are allowed to change and evolve from movie to movie, the world is also allowed to really change and progress, and each movie has it's own, mostly self-contained story to tell, that are each allowed to end.

[@ristoravela652]

...it shouldn't be surprising to see a fourth entry in a film series to look like a completely new story instead of a rehash of some older one, but... What other modern examples are there?

[@leedayunderwood]

It always amazed me how fluidity the modern trilogy flowed between settings and human characters. Like, oh this is post-apocalyptic now? Cool! Never felt forced or janky. Honestly can’t wait to see the new one in theatres.

[@elijahalbiston]

I think it was brilliant of them to start beginning and ending with a close-up on Caesar's face. It feels like the focus point of the trilogy is never confused and it allows us to believe and notice the slow changes through the course of the films. Caesar is in the forest with other apes now? Caesar has war-paint and is hunting with his people in the same forest. Things like that allow us to feel a good connection.

[@JiveTrkey]

That shot of Koba on the tank in Dawn is incredible.

[@gmg9010]

My dad watched the original as a kid and then during Covid-19 I watched all the original movies. I still have to see the new movies.

[@LolNinja1234]

Have him watch it with you, that'd be an awesome perspective

[@nachgeben]

lol my mother is a wild fan of the originals from when she was much younger, too. When she was watching the first of the new ones, she kept going on about 'how stupid' it was. At the end, she started crying at the catalyst moment, going, "This is so stupid! 😭" Translation: She actually really liked it. And moral of the story: You definitely should watch it. It's very different, and Rise is a slow burn, but man, it's worth it. And the following chapters just get better.

[@gmg9010]

@@nachgeben yeah I’d like to but I can’t find the first move of the new ones anywhere?

[@superonions22]

@@gmg9010hulu

[@nc8982]

They're actually all really good. They've no right to be as good as they are.

[@chowyee5049]

The idea of language being unique to humanity is fascinating. Think of Narnia where talking animals are regarded as equal to humans. The Ancient Greeks had the Logos, both reason and word. Somehow, we have always understood that our ability to speak separated us from the animals more than any other quality.

[@nvh682]

We need to talk more about Orcas for sure since they have an own unique, complex language and therefore culture :)

[@realMoMoPuFF]

Hell yeah! These movies are so fantastic and I cannot complain about the crazy usage of CGI... I mean, the apes look ALIVE, so amazing! Way better than Avatar. I love the close shots too, especially with Maurice when he gives back the doll. And the story! The journey of Caesar and his tribe is almost Biblical, the characters have their own personalities, they grow and change during the movies. This trilogy has everything. It is my second favorite after LotR.

[@stevehonik7386]

They are using the same technology just improved from the Avatar movie. With the great Joe Letteri leading the charge who was responsible for Lord of the Rings as well. No one can beat Weta. I read an article they will be using more tech from the way of water with the new films just shot outdoors instead of in a volume. The production staff will be in tandem with one another. Gonna be great for the few years to come.

[@aedynhenderson8625]

The old planet of the apes movies feel like the old godzilla movies, just sci fi writers shooting the shit and thinking of crazy new ways to introduce their practical effects. Really worth watching, at least stoned asf lmao

[@COLDCHEMICALpresents]

Fascinating. I never would have thought to examine the Plant of the Apes films through the lens of speciesism. Frans de Waal's frustration at 15:36 is something all animal rights advocates are all too familiar with, because _morally_ speaking, there _is_ nothing special about humans that somehow justifies the exploitation, suffering, and death that humans regularly subject animals too. Language is certainly one of many things that sets humans apart, but in terms of morality, those things as arbitrary as the color of one's hair-a knife across the throat by any other name cuts just as deep. The unexamined assumption of human supremacy is just that, an unexamined assumption. Attempting to rationalize it inevitably leads to some trait or other (like language) being held up as _the_ trait, but the results of such motivated reasoning just as inevitably crumble under the ever-growing accumulation of evidence that blurs the lines between humans and non-humans. Damn, you've made me actually want to watch the reboot films now LSOO!

[@thebrocialist8300]

💩🚽🧻

[@TheDukeOfTumwater]

Re: War, I must say I don’t share your perspective regarding the tone ruining my enjoyment. I think that it was appropriate given where the last movie left off, and I’m glad that it wasn’t afraid to explore the dark depths of humanity. I also think that it’s counterbalanced enough by more hopeful moments, and makes the ending feel a lot more earned knowing the hell the characters have gone through (which is appropriately bittersweet seeing Caesar accomplish his mission, but unable to join his people in the promised land as a consequence of putting his desire for revenge over their needs, a la Moses being forbidden from entering Canaan due to disobeying an order from Yahweh).

[@steampunkrose1010]

The only real problem I have with war is the death of Blue Eyes being off screen when he was such an important character in Dawn. He was second only to Caesar really and then he's just snuffed out in a case of mistaken identitiy along with Cornelia (who really should have had more of a presence anyway). Blue Eyes and Lake should have been the hope for the future at the end.

[@PlebCentre]

idk the cold brutality just sets the tone immaculately for the rest of the movie, it lets you get Cesar's blind rage for revenge over the protection of the apes and dwell on the consequences of following in Koba's footsteps.

[@a.jthomas6132]

Andy Serkis gives an amazing performance as Caesar through acting and motion capture performances in all three movies!

[@Devil-Made]

Matt Reeves is possibly the best director of our time. He’s horribly underrated. The kind of artist who will only be truly appreciated long after he’s left this earth. Also, I asked for the VHS box set of planet of the apes for Christmas when I was like 8 years old. I spent the whole week before school started watching those movies. My parents probably thought I was crazy. Lol. Those movies are a trip.

[@elijahalbiston]

He's one of those directors who I recently realised slipped in. I've seen his last three films and really loved all of them a lot. Two in the Planet of the Apes trilogy which is great, and my favorite Batman film to date. I was pleasantly surprised to see that he was connection between them and I look forward to The Batman II.

[@notmyrealpseudonym6702]

I just rewatched the batman last night and was still impressed with it despite knowing the "reveals" of the plot ... Which is always my mark of a good movie and director

[@vittoriacolona]

OMG. The Batman is boring. And it's not Batman, its Alan Moore 's Rosarch in a Batman costume.

[@greatgourami3946]

@@vittoriacolonayou just convinced me to watch it

[@PlebCentre]

@@vittoriacolona Matt Reves should've just adapted Watchmen lmao

[@Rex_Cosmos]

I forgot how much I loved the determinism of the original trilogy where Caesar’s parents are from the future and he’s the messiah.

[@alexxx4434]

24:49 Is it me or the human hand intentionally resembles ape's one in that shot?

[@vincentlaw1415]

well observed

[@78nyx]

I like Dawn a lot too, is the one that I most revisited and I think Serkis, Reeves, FX teams, etc show that cinema is a collective work ❤

[@Bubblegob]

You're selling the original movie short, it's easy to get caught up in the final twist or the recreation of humans hierarchy in ape society yet seeing it today the most powerful thing is that inversion between human and animal that is very radical and visceral. Charlton Easton is treated like a foul beast by the apes and even the nice ones are so condescending until they realize he can talk. Seeing them debatting his consciousness I don't know it resonates with current sentiment on specism it's really good. The second movie of the reboot trilogy was so good it might be my second favorite but the two other for their flaws are still amongst the best blockbuster of their decade.

[@day2148]

I don't think the new movies are purely about some kind of man vs animal theme insofar as it has become a "Clash of Civilizations" theme. The Apes have learned to be just as capable as us, just as organized as us, just as sophisticated as us, but they reject our way of doing things in favor of their own culture and society and methodology. And because of these differences, it's a struggle to share the same space with them and not develop into conflict. If that doesn't sound familiar to you, you haven't been following world news enough. To use the words of the cultural scholar Samuel Huntington - "What is Universality to the West is Imperialism to the Rest" Well, the Apes here are certainly tired of being 'imperialized' upon, measured by standards not of their own making.

[@Zephirah]

So well said ❤

[@thedoctor2871]

It's Dawn & War that made me trust in Matt Reeves with The Batman mythos.

[@elijahalbiston]

And if you watch Pattinson's films after Twilight then you'd realise just how capable he is of giving a great performance. Honestly, I don't know what people were worried about. Both of those guys did a great job and made my favorite Batman film to date. (Waiting until the second one)..

[@stephentosterud9375]

The planet of the apes movies has been something my Dad and I share together. From the old to the new movies. I grew up with the POTA. I have treasured all of the movies. Thanks for the new video. I always look forward to your videos.

[@ArcherGreen]

Great video my friend! Definitely hyped for Kingdom now (:

[@johans3164]

Every line in this vid is carefully crafted and well thought out. I love any vids that analyze Caesar trilogy and your vids are one of the best ones!

[@WhatIsSanity]

I always saw the rebooted series as a re-evaluation of humanity and our other ape relatives. So much has changed since 1968, new data, culture and a massive change in what is allowed to be said but also how. I genuinely never liked the original movies, they always felt extremely immature and hand holdy to me. Like I was watching a very condescending kids movie as an adult 😂 The core messages were that much of a given to me at any given point of my development that I never felt compelled or enriched by the unfolding story. Felt impatient like I was being taught the same lesson for the 80th time and I just really wanted to escape the lecture so I could move on. The new movies I felt held up a clearer mirror while offering a far more realistic depiction of humanity, and I'm not talking about the CGI. Less weighed down by the assumptions and expectations of the past, despite them being as present as they still are. Which was simultaneously a breath of fresh air and a gut punch, I love being reminded how awful my species decides to be on a daily basis.

[@GuineaPigEveryday]

I personally love War, I think because the war-film inspirations are really utilised in an interesting way, like Bridge over the River Kwai, and this remaining divide between man and ape, humans sort of resemble a dying empire, increasingly cruel and resorting to holing up inside their forts to survive. The movie also Genuinely tackling the question of whether humans deserve to survive, which Dawn kind of takes for granted with their blandly ‘good’ or ‘bad’ human characters. There is some real quiet moments in War with new characters, who give us new perspectives on this world, and the visuals in the film are top notch. It has a real exodus quality to it

[@GregBlackmanMusic]

You have got THE most beautifully relaxing voice.

[@mcnooj82]

I was so hyped for DAWN that it ended up backfiring on me. Nothing technically wrong with the movie… but I found that I was so on board for apes taking over that all scenes with the human faction came off tedious And while Koba/Caesar dynamic is compelling at first, the movie is obligated to rush Koba into total villainy in order to justify the fireworks factory finale… complete with a putty “I won’t kill you, but I don’t have to save you” manner of dispatching the out-of-control maniacal villain… and ending with a tedious push into Caesar’s tormented “what have I done???” face for the stock EMPIRE-ish finale That’s why WAR is my preferred sequel in the trilogy (I have a soft spot for RISE being my favorite of the three, because it just shocked me by being that good) WAR isn’t the most rewatchable movie, but I just admired how hard it pushed the thudding unpleasantness of its metaphors and rejecting the stock plotting of modern Hollywood trilogy cappers Plus, less human stuff. Just a primary bad guy that demands little sympathy

[@Ragga0the0yan]

That scene where John Connor walks into the ape camp was truly a visual masterpiece of intimidation and instant regret

[@tonygoodkind7858]

The best part of the old movies is they simply chose a metaphor and ran with it, hard. The execution of those metaphors wasn't always great (some are especially heavy-handed, as I recall), but that approach of making the movie entirely about a certain topic was, and still is, a fantastic strategy for telling a story. More modern movies need to do that. It's weird to think of these reboots as "greatest", but I do think I could name quite a few worse reboots so maybe it's not far off the mark. Mostly I'm reacting negatively to a few comically evil characters in Dawn that marred an otherwise okay film. If they'd just fleshed those characters out and had their motivations be a little more grounded in reality/experiences, then I think it'd have been a much better movie.

[@elijahalbiston]

I've never thought of it as a perfect trilogy and can see where it's brought down... but it's pretty damn good for the concept and how far they ran with it. We're anchored by Caesar's journey and that's really both the best part and what we focus on.

[@zsan157]

“Comically evil” in what way? The only one I could possibly think you’re referring to is Carver, and while I can see where you’re coming from, I think that his actions are still somewhat grounded. The idea behind his character is that there would always be humans who hate the apes out of fear.

[@tonygoodkind7858]

@@zsan157 Yeah it's mostly Carver. And yes, all it'd take is a scene or two where we see him react in fear/horror to something apes did to ground that character trait better than it felt. I think his dialog (maybe acting too) needed to be softened up a little too. He just felt like that one outright antagonistic character that doesn't seem to have a logical motivation for their antagonism (whereas in real life it's nearly always grounded in some experience that can be shown to the audience). The ape-tyrant was the other one I was thinking of, but I'd agree that the argument is pretty darn weak there. (He's mostly comically evil in the way that actual tyrants actually are.)

[@leedamian9120]

For me the third one is the best, as for me, it is in the third movie that we truely understand why caesar is the saviour and ultimate leader of the apes, it's easy to judge a man when you don't go through what he go through, in war, caesar truely understand koba, and could have fallen just like koba, but it's his ability and his love for the apes that makes him the best leader, his character development in this movie is the best as in this one we truely saw caesar at his most devastating stage and how he came back. One of the best trilogy, and for me the 2nd is better than the 1st, so the trilogy was just getting better in the latter movies too!

[@rodrigob]

Great video. Had chills all along. Will now schedule time to watch the new trilogy.

[@vanceunderwood5364]

Matt Reaves should make a movie about extraterrestrial first contact and it’s ramifications for society.

[@johndavidbuell]

this is off-topic but I would LOVE to experience your essay on BLACK SAILS - a deceptively brilliant character study masquerading as a pirate adventure show :)

[@anthragestormrider2493]

interesting timing, I just re-watched War myself this weekend. All these years later I am still stunned at how good the technology and performances are.

[@Simple1DEA]

The theme of the apes movies is probably ''The Archaic Revival''

[@ximono]

Thank you, this was really good! I loved the new movies and always thought they didn't get the recognition they deserved. Thanks also for introducing me to Frans de Waal! What a brilliant primate.

[@EdgarTheOgre]

I would like to go deeper with the "no" scene. For me, it is the first manifestation of free will and freedom, the ability to deny your primordial-primate urges of running away because of fear and instead stand up and say "I will not have any of this." It remembers me of the obelisk prelude in Space Odyssey.

[@bkizzle401]

Loving the inclusion of early Rise reviews from my boys, Chris and Jeremy. GREAT VIDEO!!!

[@McCoymiked]

Thanks a ton for this moving recap and analysis. The new films are truly uniquely thought provoking and elicit an emotional response I never expected from this franchise.

[@terrestrialtrajectory]

What a great presentation. Thank you.

[@my-2-centstoday]

Thank you. This is a beautiful take on these movies.

[@joshuaflores8532]

I just finished watching the original sequels. Talk about good timing!

[@damianstarks3338]

Can’t thank you enough for this long in depth planet of the apes video.

[@teschie2187]

Wow this was a really great video essay with lots of amazing quotables blown away

[@deckarobinson7675]

Rise Dawn & War For the planet of the apes Is the most underrated trilogy ever Only a week to go before Kingdom is released So much looking forward for this movie 🎬

[@corro202]

Awesome video.

[@elvisparra4993]

2:38 you son of a. You brought my emotions at a high that tease 😂

[@garrettwarrick4156]

Tom, First, hats off to you for watching all of these films, seriously! I can't imagine actually putting myself through all those films. I was wondering if you considered the themes presented in the novel written in 1963 by Pierre Boulle? Since this is the direct source for the films, although the plot of the Heston original and its unfortunate sequels (prequels?) strayed heavily away from the material, I think there are still relevant themes connecting the 21st reboot films to Boulle's work. You talked about the value of language and individualism experienced from both the human and ape perspective, which is more than prevalent in the novel, albeit within a framed narrative. The exchanging of dialogue (speech) and signs (communication) appear specifically with the characters Ulysses and Cornelius (which is never quite made clear if these are the same characters brought to life in the film, but there's enough there in the literature to make the argument that they are.) Seeing from your past videos, you've made some incredible connections between characters and themes present in films and their literary counterparts, so I was more than curious to know your thoughts on Boulle's novel. The 21st century reboot is far more expansive on all fronts, but I think you'd find something worth diving into with the source material and its commentary on social perspectives of 1960's Europe and US.

[@ethancoster1324]

One of a few reboot trilogies that actually eclipses some of its foundational forebears.

[@Someguy_97]

You know, I left a comment on KINGDOM’s trailer wishing it would bring even more people into the franchise because I felt that the Ceasar trilogy was severely overlooked. Then I received a reply trying to convince me that these movies weren’t under appreciated. That EVERYONE loves them and has seen the new reboot trilogy. In my experience that’s not the case. When these movies were coming out you could ask anyone “hey did you see the new Planet of the Apes movie?” and the response I got was always “nah” or “never seen any of them”. It always struck me as odd because I knew the movies were great but apparently their performance in the box office didn’t reflect that. They did well but not amazingly well. In fact by the time WAR came around, it had only made back 3 times its budget. That’s not bad but it sure isn’t blockbuster worthy of a return. My point is the new trilogy WAS under appreciated! The series is popular but it’s a cult following not a huge fandom like Marvel or Star Wars which were the films that dominated around the time the reboot trilogy was releasing. Hell even the new Jurassic World films were making back 5 times their budget easily with each release. I’m glad that the films are be recognized now but I still want more people to enjoy them because Caesar’s story was the best thing to happen to the franchise and it brought us into a new age of the Planet of the Apes films!

[@thisnameistaken]

This movie critique man say good smart words about how us say words both gift and curse. Such wise. Many think. Very wow.

[@akenproductions9945]

I somehow knew one way or another the recent Apes trilogy would find its way into the youtube essayist conversation at some point.

[@alisterfolson]

I'm going to re-watch the last 3 movies before the newest one comes out next month. New sub~

[@d.sfilms7677]

Ive never really thought about Planet of the Apes before but this video is a masterpiece

[@malakai_adam]

This series is one of my favorites

[@AntiNihilist]

Its funny that he calls War a revenge movie because while its easy to just think of that first and foremost, when i first watched it i didnt care about Caesar's family and focused on how Caesar viewed his compassion as a failure again and that he was tired of being the leader the apes needed him to be. At the end of the movie his interaction with the Colonel wasn't about revenge, it was about the cold slow death of the human race and how revenge could be taken or not, but it wouldnt be the worst thing to happen to the Colonel. The worst had already happened to him.

[@j-robber2568]

Damn this was DEEPER than I was expecting but I’m here for it these movies deserve it 👏🏻

[@feedmatt]

Bro, we would have given you a pass for skipping that 2001 version. You don't have to have THAT much integrity 😆

[@TheSchaef47]

The title alone is already the most true video essay of the decade.

[@annanelson6830]

War for the Planet of the apes is my favorite, I think because of Caesar. I have rewatched this one much more often than the others.

[@tabsi2436]

I think the best aspect of 'war' is for me, that its a progression to dawn, where ceasar learnd apes can be monsters. Now he learns that he himself can be a monster. Its honestly a reflection for all of us. We all can be heroes, and we all can be monsters.

[@MisterRlGHT]

Tim Roth made such a magnificent chimpanzee, I wish his entire filmography could be retrofitted with him as that ape. Rob Roy, Resurrection, Lie to Me, Selma, Reservoir Dogs, Vincent and Theo .. a brilliant career transcends to a new level with chimp upgrades. OK, so Funny Games would only be 10 minutes long with a radically different ending -- but all the other works expand and flourish.

[@BlueLionsTVNiiNiiFC]

Superb video as always, seeing this video was out, made me want to watch Dawn and War again, before I watched it. The only thing for me though is, he missed with his take on War. i noticed a similiar perspective when he critiqued Dont Look Up for being too on the nose, even tho that was the point. I’ve his work, but it felt like an unnecessary angle to view War in, considering the themes and context. The mistake i feel, is thinking there always has to be a new depth or perspective to explore, you can lose sight of how these principles hold up in reality. I don’t understand why he forced the disconnect, the film wasn’t what he would have wanted? Ok? I might sound a bit harsh, but, that take made me realise he’d be like the solider, blown up by Donkey at the end, they know how to talk the talk, but, when it came to actions matching viewpoints, they’d revert back to type. It’s like Maybe I’m just being too overly emotional, which I can tend to be like at times lol. I dunno, sometimes I think certain conversations plateau when conducted by white voices, its easier for them not to see any parallels to class, race, etc, when its never been something you’ve had to learn or feel in life. Everything’s becomes a talk around the main issues to fit in with sensibilities, as if the conversation gets diluted or cheapened when those themes are at the fore front. I get why its like that though.

[@courvosier]

Rewatching those movies is an insane task kudos

[@ZonamaPrime]

You should really store your wine bottles with the cork lower so it stays wet.

[@nigeldonaldson1647]

When I saw RISE OF APES I wasnt sure what to expect, it was a leap of faith after the...average Tim Burton version, BUT I was also surprised by what I saw, the biggest differance being in the tone of the film very clearly being animal rights, but also a new clever story explaining where it all began in a believable way. I also wasnt sure about using cgi but that also worked, and a first for an apes film (which they proved could be done with MIGHTY JOE YOUNG & the excellent 2005 KING KONG remake) the 2 sequels soon to be 3 I wasnt so keen on because of the much darker tone, & different Directors, & less story layers, BUT with RISE they did what BAT MAN BEGINS did starting afresh with a blank canvass, RISE OF APES is not only the best version since the original 1968 version, but like that also the most important in a different way

[@pumitriii6160]

Only LSOO could make such a philosophical, moving, thought provoking video essay on a blockbuster trilogy

[@TimZoet]

Even though I understand your critique of War for the Planet of The Apes, I feel as it was still necessary. It is like analysing all the pieces before WW2 that went off like a domino effect that caused WW2. Rise and Dawn are those pieces, and War is WW2. It is brutal, hardhanded and over the top, but also the only logical result

[@gabrielogungbade7175]

Love your content. I haven't found a creator who matches your level of sublimity... When is the deadline to subscribe to nebula using lsoo?

[@vaishaksuresh8555]

For me personally War is the best out of the three. The personal tension and the emotional drama is so good. I love Rise and Dawn but I really think War is the best.

[@liamfennell9728]

On your note about a return to innocence, I think that comes from the attention and empathy you have to exercise in order to communicate and be communicated with non-verbally. You must imply intent from another’s actions, and ensure not to communicate unintended aggression in your own. It requires care. Complex verbal communication expects a lot more from a listener when it comes to decoding meaning, and in being far more nuanced it leaves the door wide open for misinterpretation despite the conceptual precision or accuracy of the words used. On the other hand, limited communication is often clear communication, only the relative ease of decoding comes at the cost of nuance and the number of distinct ‘words’ you can communicate. I think the less ‘precise’ a method of communication the more it relies on a shared understanding of the ‘words’ and therefore better builds communities by necessity

[@bebruening6098]

Looking forward to more planet of the apes stuff

[@juliastms]

My only issue with all this is the insistent belief that humans are the only species with language. And I don't think Frans de Waal believes that either. His own research led him to argue that various non-human animals possess complex forms of communication and social interaction that can be considered language-like in nature. Just because animals communicate differently (i.e. in a way that is outside of our narrow definition of what constitutes as a language) doesn't mean they don't have their own form of complex language and maybe, just maybe we as humans simply aren't capable of understanding the full complexities of other living beings.

[@LikeStoriesofOld]

Hey! Good point, yes, I tried to add enough nuance here in the discussion but maybe not enough; it is true that De Waal brought attention to the complex forms of interaction that exist between animals and that we often overlook. But the kind of 'language' that (still) sets humanity apart from other animals, as he explained, is the kind that really allows for the 'stacking' or 'aggregating in bulk' of information, and to pass that along in its entirity. On an evolutionary scale; this, arguably, is what has resulted in each new generation having more knowledge than the last, therefore propelling our development in a way that other animals haven't yet quite figured out

[@abdulkarimelnaas7595]

Language is one of those behaviors that leaves an obvious morphological trace in a species. For something so complex to exist, the brains of the animals in question must be massive. This is why there are no 'secret animal languages'. Some whales are a good candidate for non-human animals with language, but they are far from being a secret in the scientific community. Even then, the 'language' in question is humble compared to humans. We are human because of language. I feel people underestimate the size of the investment involved in this . Our brains consume a huge amount of energy every day, just for thinking. This strategem banks on a constant return of high quality food. Very few creatures could sustain a brain as humans have, and any creatures that could do so would not be able to keep it secret. It is an interesting thought though. I think a really cool model to observe are Elephantnose Fish. They communicate with each other and interact with their environment through electrical signals which they can transmit and receive. Not just them, but all Mormyrid fish (in the same clade). With Elephantnose Fish, this electrical communication is so critical that they are unable to reproduce in captivity because (for some reason) they stop emmitting the electrical song that distinguishes males from females when they are captured. My main point being that, to maintain this ability to communicate and interact, they have developed one of the largest brain to body ratios of any animal on Earth. This random little fish that you can see in any freshwater aquarium store.

[@nachgeben]

It's true that animals are far more intelligent than we give them credit for, too. Just because their intelligences are based on their life priorities, based on what they NEED to know, it doesn't mean they're stupid. Animals need to be seen like aliens are often portrayed. They're intelligent in a different way. They carry so much of the intelligence within them, when they learn how to walk and their inherent intelligences and behaviors that don't need other members of their own species to learn. They're intelligent, in different ways. Alien ways we don't understand. And they don't understand us, that's why dogs try to heal our wounds by licking them for us, and cats try... to give you their kills because they think you're too stupid to feed yourself.

[@soloxcan]

I see the original movies as a time loop. But the new trilogy as the starting branch of that time loop. Like how an athletics track has the 100m branch and after that you are on the loop

[@notfamous649]

Great video, please never stop making these.

[@Tom361E]

Couldn't agree more about War it's exactly why I don't even re-watch the trilogy and I loved Dawn

[@mckeldin1961]

I grew up on the original series of movies and still maintain a deep affection for them (even if only the first film is actually well written and made). I was very excited to see the Tim Burton remake... and then was very disappointed (though I don't think it's terrible... just kind of "ho hum"). I avoided the most recent series... until last month. I've watched both Rise and Dawn (with War yet to come). I thoroughly enjoyed both and was impressed with the reinterpretation of Pierre Boulle's original concept (I read his novel sometime between films number 4 and 5 of the original series). My one sticking point is the use of capture motion. In your video you make a very good case for its successful use in the new films. I suspect you're absolutely right, but my 63 year old brain -- having been trained by the filmmaking of the 60s and 70s -- finds it hard to see motion capture as something authentic... it just looks "off." It's definitely a generational bias (as I know younger people are put off by the use of make-up and masks in the original series... which appear perfectly natural to me). But I find your interpretation of the new series so well thought out that you've encouraged me to finish up with War... and then go back and re-watch the entire trilogy.

[@lorensims4846]

My dad took my brother and I to see a double-feature of The Planet of the Apes and Beneath the Planet of the Ape at the drive-in. They also showed a preview for Escape from the Planet of the Apes. It's clear that over the years, a lot more thought has gone into the production of each of these movies. That first one was intended to stand on its own, but it became so popular they couldn't leave well enough alone. It might be interesting to compare these movies with the original novel by Pierre Boulle. I'm sure he had a very different perspective than what we now see in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.

[@dariowortiz]

awesome video. Original 1968 Planet of the Apes is one of my favorite movies. Not only for the adventure, but also its the perfect example of how to tackle important social issues (like 60s civil rights issues, separation of church and state, etc) without being preachy or being too explicit and underestimating the audience intelligence like many modern movies like to do 🤷‍♂ also has the most iconic plot twit at the end 🗽

[@IsraelSanchez17]

Bad ass video!