As a devoted cinephile, I’ve always been captivated by the enduring Planet of the Apes saga that dates back to the late ’60s. However, one primatologist points out its questionable adherence to scientific accuracy. Drawing inspiration from Pierre Boulle’s novel, the story revolves around an astronaut who finds himself stranded on a bizarre planet populated by intelligent apes that treat humans as mere beasts. Initially, the book was a subtle political commentary, but the 1968 film adaptation delved deeper into the realms of science fiction, spawning a blockbuster movie series that’s lasted for generations. Long after the original series concluded, prequels emerged later to breathe new life into this captivating tale.
2011’s film “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” revolutionized the series by replacing traditional makeup and ape suits with cutting-edge CGI characters, setting the stage for an emotionally impactful narrative that served as the foundation for the entire fictional universe. Two subsequent films, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” and “War for the Planet of the Apes,” delved into the rise and demise of the character Caesar, the chimpanzee, while also depicting humanity’s decline. While the modern “Planet of the Apes” films may have shed the campiness of their predecessors, they are not entirely devoid of scientific inaccuracies either.
The Planet Of The Apes Movies Get Bonobos Very Wrong
The Modern Planet Of The Apes Movies Aren’t Fair To The Obscure Primate
As a keen admirer, I recently found myself engrossed in an enlightening interview with primatologist Tara Stoinski, conducted by Wired, where she addressed some intriguing queries about our primate kin. Our discussion inevitably veered towards the contemporary Planet of the Apes films. Although Stoinski didn’t delve too deeply into the cinematic aspects, she did highlight one significant inaccuracy that has persisted across the prequel series regarding the ape species central to the narrative. In particular, she pointed out that the character Koba, who emerges as the main adversary in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, exhibits behavior completely at odds with his real-life counterpart, bonobos.
As Stoinski points out, real-life bonobos, Koba’s actual counterparts among great apes, are generally peaceful creatures. Unlike their screen portrayals, they wouldn’t exhibit such levels of violence. Interestingly, bonobos resolve disputes through sexual activities and surprisingly, they often share food instead of fighting over it. In contrast, the character Koba in the film is a sly, vengeful villain who is ready to betray his kin for revenge against the humans who harmed him. While it’s hard to predict what a highly intelligent bonobo might do, it’s safe to say they wouldn’t display such aggression.
The Planet Of The Apes Still Portrays Apes Accurately (Mostly)
Bonobos Are Misrepresented, But Other Apes Are More Accurate
Despite finding the depiction of Koba’s species in recent Planet of the Apes movies less convincing, the primatologist had high praises for how the films portrayed other great apes. Interestingly, Stoinski pointed out that Caesar’s actions in the first three prequels mirrored those of a real chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) within its social structure. Chimps, being patriarchal, have a dominant male who leads and safeguards the group while warding off challenges to his leadership from other males.
Additionally, Stoinski makes observations about Maurice, a Bornean orangutan (Pongo Pygmaeus) in the movies. In these productions, Maurice is depicted as composed and intelligent, with the ability to comprehend Caesar even prior to genetic modification. Post-modification, Maurice assumes the role of the wise elder in the ape community, often offering advice to Caesar as leader. Though his intelligence may be enhanced for narrative purposes, Stoinski points out that orangutans are generally recognized for their cognitive abilities. The tranquil and serene demeanor of orangutans is also reflected on screen, unlike the calm bonobo.
The Apes Being Genetically Modified Means They Can Get Away With Not Being 100% Accurate
It’s Okay To Put The Fiction In Science Fiction When It Makes Sense
Stoinski’s insights about the authenticity of the “Planet of the Apes” films are intriguing. Notably, she emphasizes that all the primates in these movies are genetically engineered. This piece of science fiction allows for a significant departure from the real-world study of primatology, as it frees the prequels from strict adherence to scientific accuracy. Despite the films generally portraying the different great ape species convincingly, this plot device also provides a loophole by introducing the intelligence-enhancing chemical that was responsible for their extraordinary intelligence.
In a departure from typical bonobo behavior in their natural habitat, Koba exhibits unique and unconventional characteristics. However, it’s crucial to remember that all apes possess the ability to develop distinct personalities. Although most bonobos would not be aggressive or hostile, the creators of Koba have given him a history that explains his hostility towards humans. Koba’s advanced intelligence comes with its own set of challenges, making him sly and potentially harmful not only to humans but also to other apes. This portrayal might not aim to depict bonobos as dangerous, but instead to provide Caesar with an emotional hurdle.
The modern Planet of the Apes movies include:
| Movie | Release Year | Rotten Tomatoes Score |
|---|---|---|
| Rise of the Planet of the Apes | 2011 | 82% |
| Dawn of the Planet of the Apes | 2014 | 91% |
| War for the Planet of the Apes | 2017 | 94% |
| Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes | 2024 | 80% |
Caesar grapples with two realms, as Koba embodies the suppressed instinctual nature that he fears may disrupt his evolving ape society. Simultaneously, Koba serves as a sinister reflection of the tragic hero, harboring the rage and animosity towards humans that stir within him, but managing to keep his emotions in check more effectively. Ultimately, the movie “Planet of the Apes” required an antagonistic primate character, and it was essential to depict them not as they truly exist, but rather how they might evolve if the film’s scientific premise were accurate.
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2025-05-22 12:52