O'Connell: The Planet of the Apes

Limbo and Thade

A big duality in The Planet of the Apes was the theme of science vs. primitivism. Even though apes have become the dominant species on this planet they are still far behind technologically. They use old fashioned forms of warfare with spears and armor. The technology that the humans possess, such as Davidson’s gun, strike fear in the apes. One ape goes as far to call it “sorcery.”

                One important scene that illustrates this is when Thade’s father educated him on how intelligent humans can actually be. He tells Thade to destroy the red vase in his room only to reveal a gun that was invented by the humans. Thade’s father explains to Thade that this is a symbol of how destructive humans can be. Thade, who already loathes all humans, hates them even more after his Father shows him their modern weaponry. This shows the technological gap between apes and humans. The apes use a form of medieval warfare, equipped with spears and horses. The gun shines even more negative light on humans because Thade thought they were worthless before, but not he knows that they can be dangerous.

                Another scene that shows this duality is when Davidson goes back to the crash site to retrieve his gun. He retrieves it because it is the only means of defense against the apes. This is also the first time Ari and Krull ever see a device like this. Even on their escape together they still remain ignorant of what humans are capable of. When Davidson first shoots it, Krull calls it “sorcery.” This is shows how the apes will simply dismiss something that they don’t understand. The gun obviously scares both Ari and Krull and eventually leads Krull to destroying the gun all together. Afterwards Ari asks “Who would invent such a terrible thing?” (Or something along those lines)The apes are still totally in the dark because their faith in their religion and lack of knowledge hinders them. They are unwilling to accept something that contradicts their religion.  Krull destroys it because he considers it evil and that they would be better without it. However, he doesn’t understand that it is the only thing that can defend against the ape onslaught. 

O'Connell: Mars Attacks

The first Martian visit

Tim Burton’s film Mars Attacks takes on many aspects of the U.S. government, including the military, political authorities, and many disaster and science fiction films of the last few years. This is probably why so many American moviegoers were turned off by its obvious mocking of American values. Thanks to Pierce Brosnan’s character, the president is under the impression that the Martians are friendly and come in peace. This is until they zap everyone in sight when they first make contact. Even after this happens, the U.S. government still tries to be friendly with the Martians even at the expense of the lives of many Americans. One of the biggest parts of the films is also the biggest mockery of our nation’s defense system. General Decker suspected the Martians were evil all along and is constantly badgering the President to take action against them. None of the weapons work and every attempt is futile. Even when they launch a nuclear missile to the Martian spaceships they simply send out a balloon-like device that sucks up the explosion. One of the Martians makes fun of the humans by inhaling the contents of the balloon like it’s nothing. It also gives his voice a high-pitched squeak. The Martians do a lot to embarrass the U.S. government but nothing is as embarrassing as two small-town people from Kansas doing the job they can’t. Richie and his grandmother figure out how to kill the aliens by accident and save the human race. The government is looked to for help by many citizens and is counted on to fix our nation’s problems. This film mocks the government making every one of their attempts pointless when all they had to do was play a song. Another big way the film parodies the government is by having Jack Nicholson play dual roles as the President of the United States and a sleazy real estate developer named Art Land living in Las Vegas. All art cares about is money and his greediness is fully put on display. Burton is asking us to question whether we really know the president at all and what he’s really like out of the view of the public eye. 

O'Connell: Ed Wood

Lugosi and Wood

One can draw a lot of parallels between Tim Burton and Ed Wood. They have many things in common and you can tell why Burton would want to make a film about someone like Ed Wood. Rather than focusing on Wood’s cheesy films, he illustrates what went into them. Wood is an outcast himself in a lot of ways and that is something Burton can relate to. He wants to show the drive behind Wood and how he didn't let anything stop him Lugosi and Wood from creating his vision.

Burton credits Wood by glorifying his life, even though a lot of people viewed him as a loser. He shows how passionate Wood was about his films despite the opinions of a lot of people. He mouths every word to his films and watches intently at the work he has put on screen. Wood remained endlessly optimistic despite his shortcomings and this makes the audience root for him. He is also portrayed as an extremely non-judgmental person, which allows him to have a posse of outcasts. A line from the character Kathy O’Hara pretty much sums up Wood: “You should feel lucky, Eddies the only fella in town who doesn't pass judgment on people.” They remain loyal to him because he has faith in them no matter what. Even though most people viewed Lugosi as a washed up has-been, Wood believed in him and still treated him like the greatest actor to ever live. Wood also went through great lengths to fund his films. Time and time again he struggles to get all his films made despite all the negative criticism.  Burton recognized Wood’s drive to make films and does him justice by dedicating a film to him. Burton also lifts scenes directly from Wood’s films because to pay homage to the kinds of films Wood was trying to make. It gives a wider perspective on what kind of person Wood really was and what he was trying to achieve. Burton gave Wood the praise and recognition he deserves through this film

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