Planet of the Apes 2001 Ending Explained: Unraveling the Twist!

The ending of “Planet of the Apes” leaves viewers with a shocking and iconic twist. After escaping the clutches of the ape civilization, astronaut George Taylor discovers the ruins of the Statue of Liberty on the shoreline, realizing he has been on Earth all along, albeit in a distant, dystopian future.

This revelation turns the narrative on its head, highlighting themes of human folly and the potential for self-destruction. The final scene’s impact lies in its profound commentary on society and its ability to resonate with audiences long after the credits roll.

For a deeper analysis of this memorable ending and its implications, explore our comprehensive article, where we delve into the film’s underlying messages and its place in cinematic history.

Planet of The Apes 2001 Ending Explained

In the confusing and convoluted timeline of the 2001 “Planet of the Apes” film, the ending takes an unexpected turn. Mark Wahlberg’s character, Davidson, discovers that his former crewmates had crash-landed on the planet thousands of years before his arrival, seeding both ape and human life on the planet of Ashlar. This revelation forms the basis for the apes’ oppression of humans.

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The ending then sees Leo, the human protagonist, reunited with Pericles, the chimpanzee he had followed into the electromagnetic storm at the beginning of the film. This ceases the hostilities between humans and apes, and Leo is able to use Pericles’ intact pod to fly back into the storm in the hopes of returning home.

However, upon emerging from the storm and crash-landing on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial, Leo is horrified to find that the statue has been replaced with one of General Thade, and he is surrounded by a simian police force. This unexpected twist effectively flips the original “Planet of the Apes” premise on its head, leaving audiences and critics alike confused by the convoluted and unconventional ending.

A Messy Conclusion to Leo’s Journey

While the film’s overall Ashlar storyline is wrapped up neatly, the confusing final twist of the ending creates a somewhat messy conclusion. The focus on Leo’s journey home is where the narrative issues arise.

Tim Burton’s intended climactic reveal – that Leo has not returned to the Earth he originally left, but rather a planet now controlled by apes – is meant to be a thought-provoking and horrifying twist. However, without the proper context and buildup, it comes across as baffling and perplexing for the audience.

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In an attempt to emulate the iconic ending of the original “Planet of the Apes” films, this final twist could be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of tampering with the unknown, especially when it comes to space and time. Leo’s disregard for his orders sets the whole plot in motion, and his actions inadvertently lead to the apes conquering his home planet as well.

While the ambition is clear, the execution of this ending falls short, leaving viewers more confused than captivated by the narrative’s convoluted path.