In a Nutshell. Mini reviews of movies old and new. No fuss. No spoilers. And often no sleep.

Friday 26 August 2011

Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)

The principal cast members return to their roles but don't get the same amount of screen time as before. It's not a problem, though, because James Franciscus is an excellent replacement for Heston as the leading man. He plays Brent, an astronaut who's sent into space to determine the whereabouts of Taylor, but, as improbable as it sounds, ends up in the very same place and time.
Overall, it starts good, the first half is excellent, but as the story moves to the 'Beneath' part of the title the film begins to follow suit. It adds a lot of new elements but somehow they lessen rather than enhance the narrative, and it culminates in a half-assed climax with some silly contradiction.

3½ silent affirmations out of 5

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