Choi Planet fo the Apes

Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes touches upon sensitive topics such as civil rights, slavery, gender equality and primitivism, the same predicaments we have been through, or are going through even until this day. These conflicts and dualities are used in the film not only to highlight the problems that are underlying in modern day society, but also to develop characters by showing how they react when faced with obstacles imposed by such conflicts.

The female ape Ari is a perfect example of a character developed through the dualities of this movie, as she is the only one ape out of her entire tribe that truly cares about human beings. She supports civil liberties over slavery, and believes in interspecific equality rather than ape domination. The one scene that best demonstrates Ari’s qualities is the scene where she helps humans sneak pass behind the ape soldiers. Ari didn’t only believe in what is right and just, but supported her beliefs through action, showing that she’s not only just and civilized but also courageous and daring. Ari’s character is developed throughout the story, and more of her admirable qualities such as empathy and motherly strength are revealed.

Leo seems weak and helpless

Leo Davidson is another character whose qualities are exposed with the progression of the story. Starting out as a captive prisoner / slave of the apes, Leo seemed helpless and powerless. However, he does not conform to the human-ape inequality, and persistently puts on a fight against the apes, leading and empowering the primitive human beings residing on the planet, emerging as a hero amongst them. His heroic qualities are best shown when he activates CALIMA’s engine to wipe out the ape soldiers. In this scene, Leo demonstrates shrewd intelligence, fearlessness and bravery, which are traits that are developed throughout the movie. Outside this scene, he is also depicted as a character with charismatic leadership and a genuine good heart, as he saves Ari, an ape, by taking her across the river. Leo saving Ari seems like an odd move as he is in conflict with her kind, but it shows Leo’s undiscriminating righteousness and affection for weak individuals.