MAKING APES: The Story Behind The Make-Up

MAKING APES: THE ARTISTS WHO CHANGED FILM (Blu-ray)

2019 / 87 min

FROM GRAVITAS VENTURES

Available at www.MovieZyng.com

Review by Princess Pepper😺

I first saw the original Planet of the Apes on TV when I was a kid, totally amazed at how realistic all these talking primates looked. Too young at the time to appreciate how groundbreaking those make-up effects were, I simply accepted them as characters, not made-up actors. 

Over five decades later, the illusion remains unbroken. John Chambers and Tom Burman’s creations are as convincing today as they were in 1968. Not even the great Rick Baker could improve upon them for Tim Burton’s 2001 remake, and nobody involved with the reboot franchise even bothered to try (choosing the CGI route instead).

1998’s Behind the Planet of the Apes remains the definitive documentary on the original film series, as well as its cinematic and cultural impact. Making Apes covers some of the same bases in less detail, while also including the more recent films. But as the title suggests, the primary focus of this one is the make-up effects. More specifically, the guys who created them.

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The film is just as much a biography of Chambers and Burman’s careers - before, during & after Apes - as a behind-the-scenes look at their handiwork. Since Chambers passed away in 2001, much of their history is recalled by Burman (who also co-wrote & co-produced). He candidly discusses the their roles in the production of the original Planet of the Apes in considerable detail, as well as his sometimes volatile relationship with Chambers (who apparently wasn’t always the easiest guy to get along with). 

The film also features dozens of interviews with historians, filmmakers, surviving colleagues & actors involved in the series, as well as a plethora of testimonials from modern-era make-up artists who cite Chambers & Burman’s work as their biggest inspiration. Interviewees include Rick Baker, Joe Dante, John Landis, Guillermo del Toro, Howard Berger, Greg Nicotero, Richard Donner and Leonard Maltin.

For the most part, Making Apes is pretty interesting, but it features less footage highlighting the creative process and application than one might expect (though there are plenty of stills). What matters is we still walk away with renewed appreciation for what these artists were able to accomplish at the time, paving the way for everyone who followed.