The Planet of the Apes franchise is renowned for its audacious storytelling and unexpected plot developments, captivating audiences since its inception. However, it also has its share of perplexing moments, particularly concerning timeline inconsistencies and unresolved narratives. While the series intertwines science fiction with profound themes, the focus on groundbreaking ideas has often led to inconsistencies and discontinuities in its rich tapestry.
As the narrative shifts across various timelines and incorporates new characters, it increasingly challenges viewers to piece together the storyline, especially for those unfamiliar with the franchise. Nevertheless, each new installment of the Planet of the Apes series serves as a cultural landmark, compelling audiences to ponder humanity’s future in a world dominated by intelligent apes, even if the journey remains somewhat convoluted.
10. Nova’s Unrealistic Survival
Planet of the Apes (1968)
A major inconsistency arises with Nova’s survival in the original film. Given that humans in this world cannot articulate language and lack essential survival skills or tools, it is baffling how she has thrived. Nova, played by Linda Harrison, forms a reliance on Colonel George Taylor (Charlton Heston) to an unconvincing extent. The 1968 film does not clarify the means by which Nova survived before her encounter with Taylor, implying her existence is precariously dependent on chance or rudimentary scavenging techniques.
9. Dr. Zaius’ Role
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Dr. Zaius serves as both the Minister of Science and Chief Defender of the Faith, crafting a complex and contradictory character. As a scientifically educated ape, his role is to oversee scientific advancement among his kind. However, Zaius dismisses any evidence that jeopardizes the apes’ supremacy, particularly Taylor’s insights into humanity’s once advanced civilization.
This dichotomy portrays Zaius as a perplexing figure—simultaneously a scientist and a dogmatist driven by fear. Although his character enhances the film’s narrative depth, it raises questions about the logic underpinning his motivations.
8. Taylor’s Lack of Earth Knowledge
Planet of the Apes (1968)
Upon crashing on Earth, Taylor expresses shock at the planet’s condition. This reaction seems illogical for an astronaut from an advanced society. Despite the film’s indication that humanity is largely ignorant of its past dominance, it’s curious that Taylor, as an educated individual, would remain unaware of humanity’s decline. His surprise raises questions about how a space-faring civilization could lack knowledge of its own history.
Link to Taylor’s journey
7. The Statue of Liberty Reveal
Planet of the Apes (1968)
The film’s conclusion, featuring Taylor’s discovery of the ruined Statue of Liberty, stands as one of cinema’s most iconic twists; however, its environmental context is questionable. Surrounding landmarks appear drastically different, making it hard to believe the statue remains intact, suggesting a timeline where it has been buried for centuries while its surroundings have been devastated. The lack of clarity regarding the catastrophic events leading to this scene leaves numerous unanswered questions.
6. The Disappearance of Human Technology
The Original Planet of the Apes Series
The absence of human technology is a curious undertone within the first film. By the time of the 1968 original, humanity is nearing extinction, yet the apes exhibit no interest in reclaiming lost human advancements. This lack of action does not align with the series’ portrayal of apes adopting human-like language and culture, further complicating the narrative.
5. Mae’s Mysterious Mission
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)
Mae, portrayed by Freya Allan, emerges unexpectedly in the latest installment, becoming central to the plot. The decision of Noa and Raka to assist her in her enigmatic mission raises eyebrows, particularly as the film portrays humans as subordinate to apes. Mae’s plan, hinted at in the film’s conclusion to rejuvenate humanity with the contents from a mystery vault, feels inadequately developed, maintaining a level of confusion within the plot’s framework.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes still explores only a fraction of the earth, but hints at a larger universe and teases something even grander on the horizon.”- Screen Rant’s Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes review
4. The Time Travel Paradox
Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
The time travel paradox generates considerable confusion in Escape from the Planet of the Apes. When Zira and Cornelius travel back to the 1970s, Zira’s decision to give birth to a son, Milo (later known as Caesar), triggers a complex causal loop. Zira’s actions catalyze the rise of intelligent apes, entangling the narrative in a perplexing contradiction where the natural evolution of apes is severely compromised.
Link to Zira’s journey
3. Caesar’s Origins
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
The 2011 film delineates a fresh narrative for Caesar, interpreting him as a genetically engineered chimpanzee whose heightened intelligence emerges from experimental drug interventions. This new perspective neglects the established parental link to Zira and Cornelius, thereby leaving the existential conundrum posed by the time travel plot unresolved.
Link to Caesar’s story
2. The Rise of the Ape Race
The Rebooted Planet of the Apes Trilogy
In examining the evolution of ape society within the rebooted trilogy, the narrative development raises considerable ambiguity. The new collection of films showcases an accelerated ascent of ape civilization that starkly contrasts with the slower evolution depicted in prior installments. By the time of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the apes have developed a sophisticated structure and social order in a remarkably short period. This abrupt transition can obfuscate comprehension for newcomers to the franchise.
1. The Role of the Mutants
Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
The mutants in Beneath the Planet of the Apes introduce an agitating concept: a group of genetically altered humans who revere a nuclear bomb, implicating a cataclysmic failure of civilization. Although their existence adds an intriguing dimension to the franchise, they are largely absent from subsequent films, especially in Escape from the Planet of the Apes, leaving unresolved the narrative that underlies their significance in the catastrophic landscape.
The abrupt omission of the mutants from the larger narrative creates a gaping hole, as their storyline hints at vital themes regarding the deterioration of human society. This oversight leaves audiences with lingering questions, reflecting a fragmented narrative within the cherished Planet of the Apes saga.
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