Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes is a fantastic rendition of the original 1968 version. From the very beginning, we see that this movie is based on many far-fetched ideas that create a great foundation for different dualities in society. One of these dualities is the contrast of civil liberties vs. slavery. The opening scenes of the movie indicate a futuristic society. Apes are used for scientific purposes by the humans on a space station. The humans are clearly the dominant species and the apes are controlled by them. Mark Wahlberg's character has a special relationship with his ape. Even though the ape is used for scientific purposes, he shares a much more intimate relationship with it. As we see in in the beginning of the film, Mark Wahlberg goes out of his way to save his ape which ends up opening up a whole new world for him. He immediately goes from a society where he is part of the dominate species to a completely opposite society, where apes are the ones in control. Within the first few moments of Mark Wahlberg crashing in this unknown place, he is forced into slavery controlled by apes. This is a very interesting point, in that we can control another species, but another species cannot control us. Now, according to moral beliefs, we should not take part in any type of slavery or controlling of others. But there seems to be a difference, as well as similarities, in how the humans control the apes and how the apes control the humans. On a broad spectrum, the humans don't seem to be too concerned with the treatment if of the apes, and vice versa with the apes towards humans. On the other hand, there is always one or two of each kind that stand out and show a sense of compassion for the other species. In the human's case it is Mark Wahlberg's character. For the apes, it is Ari, Helena Bonham-Carter's character. Mark Wahlberg is interested in the best interest for his ape. When he feels his ape is being forced into an unsafe situation, he put his own life at risk in order to help. When Ari sensed something special about Mark Wahlberg, she put herself on the line to make a difference. All of these components in this film make for a great case of civil liberties vs. slavery.
I like how you compared civil liberties and slavery, especially by referencing the comparison between the treatment of apes in the beginning of the movie and the treatment of humans by the advanced apes, and they both have a tendency to enslave each other. I also like how you point out Mark Wahlbergs specific intimate relationship with his ape Pericles, as it sets him apart form the other humans aboard the ship, especially the commander who unethically treats the animals as sacrifices so that human lives wont be lost, as it is reminiscent of the violent general of the apes army and how he is disgusted by humans and considers them to be useless. I also like how you compare the differences between the treatment of apes on the ship and of the humans in captivity of the apes. The apes are definitely far more brutal to the humans than the humans were to the apes, and truly treat the humans as slaves as opposed to the human’s slightly unethical treatment of the apes. Even though there are parallels, the apes were definitely way more cruel to the humans and seemed impossible of forming relationships with them for the majority. Noah Feltes
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