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Beneath the Planet of the Apes delivers more action than its predecessor -- unfortunately, at the expense of the social subtext that elevates the franchise's best entries.
All Critics (32) | Top Critics (4) | Fresh (12) | Rotten (20) | DVD (5)
The whole movie is often frightening in the wrong way -- not by force of satire but by weight of attitudinizing. Mar 18, 2019 | Full Review…
The whole movie is often frightening in the wrong way -- not by force of satire but by weight of attitudinizing.
Penelope Gilliatt
Hokey and slapdash. Jun 4, 2007 | Full Review…
Hokey and slapdash.
Variety Staff
This first sequel to Planet of the Apes isn't bad, but already shows the way the original conception was to degenerate into routine comic strip adventure. Jan 26, 2006 | Full Review…
This first sequel to Planet of the Apes isn't bad, but already shows the way the original conception was to degenerate into routine comic strip adventure.
Tom Milne
As the apes close in and the mutants squeal their annoying noises, it's hard to care which side wins or loses, and that is a great disappointment after the excitement of the first film. May 12, 2001 | Rating: 2/5 | Full Review…
As the apes close in and the mutants squeal their annoying noises, it's hard to care which side wins or loses, and that is a great disappointment after the excitement of the first film.
Almar Haflidason
There's no question that with its mishmash of half-baked ideas, lack of strong characterization and clear budgetary issues, Beneath represents a steep drop in overall quality from the magnificent Planet of the Apes. Mar 26, 2019 | Full Review…
There's no question that with its mishmash of half-baked ideas, lack of strong characterization and clear budgetary issues, Beneath represents a steep drop in overall quality from the magnificent Planet of the Apes.
Don Kaye
The ending of Beneath the Planet of the Apes has shock value, but it's hollow. Mar 26, 2019 | Rating: C- | Full Review…
The ending of Beneath the Planet of the Apes has shock value, but it's hollow.
Matt Goldberg
We've been there, done that, and bought the plastic orang-utan figurines. Mar 26, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
We've been there, done that, and bought the plastic orang-utan figurines.
Ian Nathan
With themes and action relevant to the 20th century and beyond, this worthy sequel continues author Pierre Boulle's tale in suitably dark and thrilling fashion. Mar 26, 2019 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review…
With themes and action relevant to the 20th century and beyond, this worthy sequel continues author Pierre Boulle's tale in suitably dark and thrilling fashion.
Sky Staff
The first sequel to the enormously successful Planet of the Apes is also the best. Less subtle and profound than its predecessor, it's still an exciting and colourful action adventure. Mar 26, 2019 | Rating: 3/5 | Full Review…
The first sequel to the enormously successful Planet of the Apes is also the best. Less subtle and profound than its predecessor, it's still an exciting and colourful action adventure.
Alan Jones
The zoom-frenzy direction of Ted Post, and a vague satire of Vietnam featuring some hysterical protesting peacenik chimps, does little to cover-up the film's difficulties. But it does have its moments. Mar 18, 2019 | Full Review…
The zoom-frenzy direction of Ted Post, and a vague satire of Vietnam featuring some hysterical protesting peacenik chimps, does little to cover-up the film's difficulties. But it does have its moments.
Film4 Staff
There are a lot of good ideas peppered throughout the screenplay by Paul Dehn...The problem is that none of these ideas are properly nurtured. Oct 31, 2018 | Full Review…
There are a lot of good ideas peppered throughout the screenplay by Paul Dehn...The problem is that none of these ideas are properly nurtured.
Zaki Hasan
Suffers from Jaws 2 syndrome, attempting to replicate the beats of the first film too closely with much of the same cast reprising their roles and character ticks and because of that, it simply doesn't have its own fingerprint. Sep 17, 2018 | Full Review…
Suffers from Jaws 2 syndrome, attempting to replicate the beats of the first film too closely with much of the same cast reprising their roles and character ticks and because of that, it simply doesn't have its own fingerprint.
Chris Alexander
In one of the biggest sequel letdowns I have ever seen, "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" follows another astronaut who crash lands on the same planet as Taylor from the first film while searching for him. He learns about the planet's true identity very quickly and the first half just feels like it borrows heavily from the script of the first. It is very lazy screenwriting and when they eventually do explore beneath the planet, it just becomes bizarre and laughable. I did not care what happened to any of these characters, because their motivations are manipulated throughout and you cannot latch onto anything that is happening. I really wanted to like this film, but it just flat out drops the ball. Terrible writing, horrible effects, and lukewarm performances, "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" is not worth your time at all. Although I do applaud a few nice touches, this film is a piece of garbage.
Super Reviewer
Decent first sequel to the Planet Of The Apes. Beneath The Planet of the Apes isn't as solid as the first film in the series, which is by far one of the all time Sci-fi classics of the genre. This sequel had a lot of potential, unfortunately compared to the first film; this is a film that is quite disappointing considering how good the first film is. This film is mildly entertaining. But like I stated, this film is disappointed especially for the fact that it follows a timeless classic film. The filmmakers tried to outdo the first film with this film, and ended up with mixed results. The film is entertaining, and has some decent performances, but overall there's something missing to really make this an awesome Apes movie. The films story could have been better, and this is a step down from the first film. Despite the good cast, director Ted Post has a disappointing script to work with, and can't direct this good cast into doing a good film. The result is a decent entertaining film. But right from the start, you realize that Beneath The Planet Of The Apes isn't a standout sequel, and it's only decent, never great. This film could have been a wonderful sequel, but the studio seemed to rush to produce a sequel to cash in on the success of the first, and instead of taking their time with a great idea, they only did half a good job, and the scripts limitation definitely show on-screen.
Cornelius: If you are caught by the gorillas, you must remember one thing. John Brent: What's that? Cornelius: Never to speak! John Brent: What the hell would I have to say to a gorilla?
Very campy and dated, but oddly very entertaining. The story starts the same as the first movie with an astronaut landing and dealing with the shock of the Apes. But the second half is where the movie goes into it's own. Cheesy effects and fight scenes are easily overlooked with a good story. I really dug what happens towards the end with the bomb and the people using their mind control. Very ahead of it's time, just like the first one. Good campy sci-fi fun never hurt nobody.
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