Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)

The critic calls it the boldest film in the series, crediting J. Lee Thompson with pure cinematic artistry through minimal dialogue and effective use of locations to depict a dystopian world of ape servitude. They single out the large-scale violent clashes resembling real-world riots and the despairing original ending.

The critic praises the film as pure rage and revolution, highlighting its anger and impact on the modern franchise despite its place in a commercial series. They single out the violent revolution, Caesar’s impassioned speech, and the director’s cut’s uncompromising conclusion.

The fourth entry in the series is not bad, propelled by furious direction and crisp philosophizing, with Roddy McDowall stealing the picture as the articulate ape leader leading a revolt.

The critic notes the director disguises the low budget well and praises the potent political allegory along with claustrophobic sets and expressive lighting. They single out the director’s cut for its more faithful and satisfying conclusion over the theatrical ending.

The film feels like going through the motions even for fans, drawing slavery and fascism analogies while checking off series lore. It strains to stay engaging but remains true enough to the spirit of the series to get over the line.

The fourth film in the sci-fi saga illustrates how the ape revolt happened in the first place, with Caesar leading enslaved simians against humans. Gritty direction from J Lee Thompson and fun philosophising with moral lessons and role reversals make it a compelling outing.

The series takes an angry turn as apes, once pets, become servants and one leads a bloody revolt against human oppressors in a futuristic setting.

The film has a clever premise but fails to deliver on screen, with cheesy production values, repetitive action, and a sense that the story was improvised.

The critic makes a strong case for Conquest as one of the best sci-fi sequels ever, highlighting its evolution from corny low-budget sequel to profound dark political film with much to say. It singles out the bolder, darker extended cut (on Blu-ray) for completing the time loop and delivering a brash, gutsy punch that the theatrical version lacks.

The piece describes Conquest as a seething, angry film that returns strong social commentary on racial inequality and oppression, building resentment to a riotous uprising. It calls it a Spartacus for the 1970s, with Caesar leading apes against human tormentors in a dystopian 1991 setting.

The critic finds the film a powder-keg of political commentary reactivated with vengeance, portraying an inevitable ape uprising in a brutal dystopia. Director J. Lee Thompson is singled out for building the dystopia and directing the revolution with clarity and impact.

The critic sees the film as a powerful and riveting entry that effectively launches the apes' ascendancy in the series' circular narrative. McDowall's performance as Caesar is singled out as perhaps his finest in the franchise, bringing emotional depth to the revolutionary story despite some logical flaws and budget constraints.

The critic sees Conquest as an evocative sequel that darkens the series with dystopian fiction, placing intelligent apes in a fascistic human future akin to Nazism in style and costuming. It notes missteps including budget constraints in the finale and Ricardo Montalban feeling at odds with the serious tone, but praises its distinct visual and tonal sense plus religious allegory.