The fourth in the Planet of the Apes series, Conquest for the Planet of the Apes is actually one of the better films of the series. While the original and third Apes movies were more cerebral, the fourth is more action-oriented like the second and fifth films.

It takes place in the 1990’s, which was the future when the movie was made in the 1960’s. All dogs and cats are dead, leaving humans to have apes as pets. All goes well until humanity decides to enslave apes, putting them in camps and making them work menial jobs such as cleaning out trash, working at a video rental store, and delivering pizzas. Ricardo Montalban, who had a cameo in the third Apes movie, brings the only intelligent ape Caesar (Roddy “My career consists of Planet of the Apes movies” McDowall) to the camp to advertise their local circus. After someone shouts “Lousy human bastards!”, Ricardo dies while Caesar is imprisoned. Then the Apes get angry.

Originally this movie was rated R because of the violence—I would have loved to have seen that cut because it seems like they already got away with a lot for a PG rating! Then again, when the movie was released, the PG-13 rating wasn’t invented! Conquest for the Planet of the Apes has tons of action, some satire, and an obvious connection to prison camps from World War 2.

I give Conquest for the Planet of the Apes *** out of ****.

Though I'm not always proud to admit it, I happen to like this Planet of the Apes movie. If it weren't for the crappy dialogue, bad acting, and slow pace, this movie could have kicked ass. It would need an R rating to fully achieve the greatness that it so deserves. The movie is worth watching for the build up to the slave rebellion, and the rebellion itself.

I would like to correct Mat on a few things. First, the movie was made in the 1970's. Second, it isn't supposed to symbolize the World War 2 prison camps. That's just want the government wants you to think. It's a closer parallel to America's slavery in the 1800's. How is Beneath the Planet of the Apes more cerebral?

Just remember, there's only so far that you can push an ape, before he begins to push back.

**1/2 out of ****