Planet of the Apes Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "Planet of the Apes" provides viewers with a mixed bag of visual experiences, delivering an image quality that fluctuates throughout the film. Presented in a 2.35:1 1080p resolution using the MPEG-2 codec, the transfer showcases vibrant colors and robust blacks, but struggles with maintaining consistency. The encoding, clocked at 18 MBPS, preserves the film's original cinematic atmosphere with a strong color palette, particularly in the jungle scenes where the lush greens and the rich reds of the Ape Army insignia stand out. However, the transfer's fidelity to the source material’s darker tones often results in an image that is overly dark, leading to a loss of detail in shadows and night scenes. This issue is compounded during daylight scenes where the contrast appears blown out, resulting in a washed-out image with softened edges and diminished depth of field. Despite these setbacks, close-up details on characters and objects fare better, offering viewers a glimpse into the intricate designs of the Ape City and the expressive facial masks worn by the characters.

The Blu-ray's weak points are further highlighted by its handling of darker scenes and grain, where black levels tend to sway towards a very dark shade of gray, occasionally introducing noise that gives certain dark objects an unintended purple hue. Despite a pristine master free of defects and inconsistent grain, fine details often get lost in translation, especially in wide shots where the clarity and sharpness expected of a high-definition release are lacking. It's clear that while the transfer excels in portraying the lush cinematography and bold art direction featuring dense jungle greens and dynamic reds and blues, it falls short in delivering a consistently crisp and three-dimensional visual experience. Close-ups reveal a higher level of texture and detail, particularly in the ape makeup, showcasing the disc's strength in capturing intricate details amidst its broader shortcomings.

In conclusion, while the Blu-ray release of "Planet of the Apes" presents certain improvements over its standard-definition counterpart, including vibrant colors and detailed close-ups, it struggles with overall consistency. The transfer's inability to maintain fine detail and clarity across various lighting conditions reflects a missed opportunity to showcase what Blu-ray can achieve. Fans of the film may appreciate the upgrade for its moments of visual excellence, especially in darker scenes, but those expecting a reference-quality disc may find the presentation underwhelming. Despite its strengths in color reproduction and select details, this Blu-ray release does not consistently reach the high standards set by contemporary high-definition transfers.

The audio presentation of "Planet of the Apes" on Blu-ray is an impressive showcase of sonic excellence, highlighted by its DTS HD Lossless Master Audio 5.1 surround track. Even when limited to the Core DTS available to most listeners, the audio experience is robust, offering a level of immersion that is both profound and nuanced. The deep, resonant bass underpins explosive action sequences and the thundering movement of ape armies, while also providing a solid foundation for Danny Elfman's percussive and atmospheric score. Soundstage dynamics are intricate, with sound effects and musical cues seamlessly flowing across the entire surround setup. Dialogue remains crystal-clear and centered, ensuring that narrative elements are never lost amidst the audio spectacle.

The meticulous sound design extends to the film's immersive environmental ambience and the realistic rendering of ape vocalizations, constructed with such care in the studio that they retain a startling authenticity. Directionality and imaging are standout features, with sequences like the crash landing and apocalyptic battles demonstrating aggressive surround use and making full use of the soundfield for an enveloping audio experience. The soundtrack's ability to convey the intensity of action scenes, matched with the palpable atmosphere of quieter moments in Ape City or around the dinner table, showcases the audio's dynamic range.

Despite some preferences for an uncompressed PCM track, the provided DTS mix excels in delivering a rich auditory experience that significantly enhances the viewing experience. The bass-heavy score by Elfman, coupled with expertly crafted soundscapes, ensures that from the more subtle environmental sounds to the full-on battle sequences, the listener is drawn into the heart of the film's narrative and action. This audio track is not just heard but felt, cementing "Planet of the Apes" as a reference-quality release for home theater enthusiasts seeking to test their systems' limits.

The Blu-ray release of "Planet of the Apes" presents a pared-down suite of extras, most notably a director's commentary by Tim Burton. Unlike its preceding SD release, which was rich in features, this edition limits itself primarily to Burton's commentary and the film's theatrical trailer in 1080p. Burton's commentary offers a mix of insights and missed opportunities. On one hand, his discussion delves into the conceptualization, casting, visual effects, and his personal take on the narrative, providing fans and newcomers alike a chance to explore his unique vision and the challenges faced, such as dealing with extensive prosthetics and reimagining the dated aesthetic of the original series. His occasionally mumbled and stammered delivery, however, and the omission of any mention of his disputes with Fox, render the commentary less engaging than it might otherwise have been. While Apes enthusiasts and Burton aficionados will find value in his laid-back recollections, those hoping for a comprehensive exploration of the film’s production will likely be left wanting more. The inclusion of 1080p trailers for other Fox titles offers a slight bonus but does little to compensate for the lack of deeper, more substantial extras found in previous releases.

Extras included in this disc:

• Director's Commentary with Tim Burton: Burton shares his experiences and challenges during the making of the film, from casting to special effects.
• Theatrical Trailer: The film’s original trailer presented in full 1080p.
• Promos for Fox Titles: 1080p trailers for select other movies from Fox.

Tim Burton's 2001 rendition of "Planet of the Apes," while dazzling with its modern visual flair and an ensemble of all-star performances, regrettably falls short of capturing the essence and cultural commentary that made the original 1968 film a cinematic cornerstone. This re-imagination banks heavily on a tried-and-true source material, an artistic vision that could have propelled it into new territories. However, despite the grandiose sets that convincingly craft a world dominated by apes and some commendable performances—most notably from Tim Roth as the warlike General Thade—the film struggles to marry Burton's stylistic prowess with the substantive narrative depth of its predecessor. The film does shine in its aesthetic, paying homage to the ape culture with intricate detailing in armour, architecture, and societal norms, suggesting a vibrant yet discordant interpretation that doesn't quite leverage the original's potent social allegories.

The technical aspects of this reimagining are undeniably superior; from Rick Baker's groundbreaking makeup effects to the dynamic and immersive set designs portraying a complex simian society, these elements markedly elevate the movie's visual storytelling. Yet, this focus on style over substance inadvertently sidelines the thematic richness inherent in the story's premise, resulting in a feature that, while visually captivating, lacks the original's provocative engagement with issues like race and culture. Moreover, amidst its fast-paced action sequences and a plot that features notable deviations from the original—such as all humans retaining their ability to speak—the narrative lacks the explorative depth and sense of discovery that characterized the first film's journey through an ape-dominated world.

Performance-wise, the film boasts strong turns from its cast, with Mark Wahlberg's Davidson offering a different yet compelling central figure. Helena Bonham Carter and Michael Clarke Duncan also deliver noteworthy performances, contributing to a richly envisaged ape society. However, these performances, set against the backdrop of a narrative that hastens through plot points without the nuanced exploration of its characters or their world, highlight a missed opportunity to delve deeper into the thematic dualities of ape and man. The movie, therefore, stands as an aesthetically pleasing yet ultimately surface-level engagement with a narrative ripe for a more thoughtful and resonant exploration.

The Blu-ray release of "Planet of the Apes" by 20th Century Fox offers a mixed bag for fans and newcomers to the franchise alike. While the audio quality is universally praised across the reviews, featuring an excellent DTS HD track that satisfies audiophiles and complements the film’s atmospheric tones splendidly, the video transfer receives less favorable feedback. Critics note that, despite being a product of the format's earlier days with an older video codec, the picture quality is merely passable. It particularly falls short in displaying brighter exteriors, which appear flat and lack the vibrancy expected from modern high-definition releases. Furthermore, this edition has significantly reduced extras compared to previous releases, a move that has disappointed fans looking for a more comprehensive collection of supplemental materials.

Amid these technical aspects, there is a consensus on the film's standing as a reimagining of a beloved classic. The transition to Blu-ray hasn't redeemed its reception; it remains a divisive entry for enthusiasts of the series. Viewed in isolation, "Planet of the Apes" is an enjoyable sci-fi adventure, but it struggles to escape the shadow of the Charlton Heston original. This issue, combined with the adequate yet underwhelming picture quality and the sparse extras, positions the Blu-ray as a better rental than a permanent addition to one's collection, especially for those with lingering affection for the franchise’s more acclaimed iterations.

In conclusion, while the Blu-ray release of "Planet of the Apes" showcases an impressive audio experience, its mediocre video quality and limited bonus content hinder it from being a definitive version for collectors. Given these shortcomings, it may serve as a decent introduction for those unfamiliar with the series or as a casual viewing option for fans. However, those holding out for a remastered special edition to accompany any future installment or remake might prefer to wait, as this release does not fully satisfy the expectations set by both its cinematic heritage and the evolving standards of home video formats.