Science-fiction franchises rarely die. The eyes might close but the heart continues to beat, even if only a core collective of fans can hear it. The fact that Planet Of The Apes’ ticker is still pumping, despite the life-threatening surgery it underwent in 2001, is testament to the series’ resilience. Though a success in financial terms, Tim Burton’s film paled in comparison to its 1968 forefather, lacking its well-defined story, strong characters, thought-provoking subtext and, well, let’s be honest, plain old charm.
Of course, fans of the original Apes movies – those that were disappointed in 2001, anyway – were always going to forget, if not quite forgive, Burton’s effort. But Hollywood? Had the critical chirping over the 2001 film – especially its confusing ending – halted the wagon train? Or would the realisation hit that the movie had simply strayed too far from the source? The answers, it seems, are in Caesar, the seventh Planet Of The Apes film, mooted for release by Fox in 2011 – providing it makes it into production (at the moment, it’s awaiting a green light).
