Discuss: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Karen: OK, as usual, let's keep it SPOILER-FREE for at least the first few days, but share your thoughts and reactions to this new film in the Apes cycle.

Karen: I'm really curious about how you guys feel about the motion-capture/CGI work. While I think it is amazing, I guess I still miss the costumes and make-up to some degree.

Ramblings on the Planet of Apes

Karen: If you've spent any time around here at all, you know we here at BAB are Planet of the Apes nuts. Doug and I cut our geek eye-teeth on POTA and still drool over the movies and the merchandise. What with a new Apes film coming out on the 11th, there's a bunch of monkey business going on!

Karen: Neca is producing a 7" figure line based on the original films. The first three figures in the line will be Dr. Zaius, Cornelius, and a gorilla soldier. The figures are supposed to be available this month, retailing around $20 each or about $52 for a three-pack. They really have great detail and remind me of of upscale versions of the old Mego dolls.

Karen: Also in the merchandise category, Famous Monsters magazines' Captain Company is offering special Apes packs of magazines, posters, t-shirts, and figures. How can you turn this stuff down? The poster image  is too cool, with the Icarus spaceship sinking slowly away.

Karen: In other Apes news, the marvelous Creatures Features store in Burbank, California is currently featuring an art exhibit, Art of the Apes, through July 27th. They have works by dozens of talented artists on display. Check out this video of the event. The artwork  is so incredible and of such tremendous variety! I sure wish I could go!

Karen: I'm sure many of you recall that 20th Century Fox did POTA marathons in the past ("Go Ape!"). Some theaters will be showing both of the new Apes films, on July 11, one after another, in the tradition of Apes marathons of the past. So if you really are in the spirit, you can go out and see "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" followed by the new film, "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes." Personally, I still think they got those titles backwards, but hey, I'm just glad to have some new Apes films, although I'll be happier when they start wearing costumes.

Karen: So ape-ophiles, hang in there, and remember the words of the Lawgiver: Ape shall never kill ape -unless he's got his hands on the last available Dr. Zaius action figure!

Movie Mania!

Doug: So here's one of those Saturday posts that just gets thrown together at the last minute. The Prowler asked us a couple of days ago in the Wolverine post if he'd missed the SPOILED version of the X-Men: Days of Future Past post. Nope - oversight on our part as we were working through our scheduling issues earlier in May. By the way, I didn't say anything about myself last Monday when Karen was discussing some of her situations. Our oldest son graduated from college in the middle of May, and a week ago we moved him into his new big-boy apartment so he can start his graduate assistant position in the sports information department of one of our state universities. So it's been pretty hectic around here, too. Slowing down now.

Doug: Anyway, let's make this a general movie day. Feel free to discuss your impressions of the X-Men flick. My wife and I and some friends are headed to see Jersey Boys tonight; we've seen the Broadway show twice in Chicago, so are really looking forward to it. Also, the final theatrical trailer for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes came out a few days ago. I am really excited for this film! So feel free to let it all hang out on anything related to summer movies. And if you're not planning to see anything, how about a comparison/contrast of the Apes trailer with the last two films in the first series -- Conquest and Battle? I sure see some similarities. How do you think they'll end up bridging these first three to the original five, or... is that even the direction you think this is going?

Those Damn Dirty Apes are Back

Karen: Last week, a trailer came out for the next film in the new Planet of the Apes series. 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' occupies roughly the same place that 'Battle for the Planet of the Apes' did, in that human society has been overthrown and humans and apes are in a struggle for control of the planet. But beyond that,  there appear to be very few similarities. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Karen: Personally, I enjoyed the first film ('Rise of the Planet of the Apes') and I like that these films are going their own way, really using the original films more as inspiration but not directly copying them. Although I have to admit, I do miss the old men-in-make-up look. I have a real fondness for Roddy McDowell doing his chimp-shuffle.

Doug:  I agree with everything you said.  I've been an Apes fan since I was but a waif.  When the original five films were on television that was "can't miss TV".  Then it was the television show.  And the Megos.  And trading cards.  On and on.  If I have one big regret in my comic reading/collecting life, it's that I didn't ever buy the B&W magazine.  I know this trailer is short, but it gives us the basic premise, and like Karen said above it has some of the flavor of Battle but with its own flair.  Maybe this is a "grim and gritty" update, but so far it seems to be working for me.

Karen: Planet of the Apes, or POTA as it's affectionately known, is a subject near and dear to both Doug and me. We've had a number of posts on it here at BAB. Here's a few of them:

Get Your Stinking Paws Off Me You Damned Dirty Ape!

Timeline Confusion on the Planet of the Apes

Merchandise on the Planet of the Apes Part One

Merchandise on the Planet of the Apes, Part Two

Homages on the Planet of the Apes

Discuss Planet of the Apes -the TV Series