A world where it’s better to destroy ourselves than admit we’re wrong? There’s gotta be an answer.

| Apr 4, 2025

There's no question that with its mishmash of half-baked ideas, lack of strong characterization and clear budgetary issues, Beneath represents a steep drop in overall quality from the magnificent Planet of the Apes.

| Mar 26, 2019

The ending of Beneath the Planet of the Apes has shock value, but it's hollow.

| Original Score: C- | Mar 26, 2019

We've been there, done that, and bought the plastic orang-utan figurines.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 26, 2019

With themes and action relevant to the 20th century and beyond, this worthy sequel continues author Pierre Boulle's tale in suitably dark and thrilling fashion.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Mar 26, 2019

The first sequel to the enormously successful Planet of the Apes is also the best. Less subtle and profound than its predecessor, it's still an exciting and colourful action adventure.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Mar 26, 2019

The zoom-frenzy direction of Ted Post, and a vague satire of Vietnam featuring some hysterical protesting peacenik chimps, does little to cover-up the film's difficulties. But it does have its moments.

| Mar 18, 2019

The whole movie is often frightening in the wrong way -- not by force of satire but by weight of attitudinizing.

| Mar 18, 2019

There are a lot of good ideas peppered throughout the screenplay by Paul Dehn...The problem is that none of these ideas are properly nurtured.

| Oct 31, 2018

Suffers from Jaws 2 syndrome, attempting to replicate the beats of the first film too closely with much of the same cast reprising their roles and character ticks and because of that, it simply doesn't have its own fingerprint.

| Sep 17, 2018

The best parts of the film are also the places where it's most ineffective as a sequel.

| Original Score: 3/10 | Aug 19, 2017

Social commentary was not one of this glum film's strong points.

| Original Score: C | Jun 5, 2009

[A] quickie follow-up that vainly tries to imitate the look of the original on an obviously limited budget, and for the most part, eschews the philosophical, social, and racial subtext of the first film in favor of straightforward shoot-em-up.

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Jun 4, 2007

Hokey and slapdash.

| Jun 4, 2007

A lot less poky than the original, and generally more entertaining.

| Original Score: B | Apr 9, 2007

This first sequel to Planet of the Apes isn't bad, but already shows the way the original conception was to degenerate into routine comic strip adventure.

| Jan 26, 2006

Full Review | Original Score: 2/5 | Jul 16, 2005

One of the best sequels ever, building on the story while re-delivering what fans liked about the first

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 7, 2005

Full Review | Original Score: 4/5 | Jul 1, 2004

Full Review | Original Score: 3/5 | Feb 10, 2004