April cinema

 I've been busy watching films in April! I'm not going out much, don't want to catch anything before my trip to Nantes! So I'm storming through the Planet of the Apes franchise.

First up Beneath the planet of the Apes- loved it, classic 70s Sci fi, moved at a cracking pace , still git the discordant sound track but hey its the 70s after all!

Next up Escape from the planet of the apes. 

I hated this, the only saving grace was Ricardo Montalban. Otherwise it was clichéd and soooooooo dated.

The franchise redeemed itself with the next one - Conquest of the planet of the apes

Still clichéd but more action and more Ricardo Montalban. Sets the scene nicely for the final installment of the 70s run of planet of the apes, not bad - Battle for the planet of the Apes, definitely better than Escape which way my least favourite. Still seems naieve now looking back but hindsight is a wonderful thing ...

So now we are up to the 2000s and Tim Burtons re imagining. Whilst I didn't actively dislike it, it felt out of place somehow. Enjoyable though but Helena Nonham Carter was miscast IMHO.

So fast forward to 2011 and Rise of the planet of the Apes

Yes OK I get it but almost 2 hours is spent setting up the premise, enjoyable but is the longest trailer ever. Good effects and James Franco manages not to be annoying which is good. 

Now this is more like it! "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" cracking film. I haven't seen it before but loved it, great story fab action and despite being over 2 hours long it didn't drag. Good story but not too much heavy handed and obvious moralising which did characterise some of the others in the franchise, one more film to go and I'll be up to date!

Well there was a hiatus while I was in Nantes so this was my last film  of April, Journey to the centre of the earth, great fun, slightly wonky special effects but still great fun.