10 Times Changing The Tone Saved Movie Franchises

While not necessarily as bad as its reputation will lead you to believe, Tim Burton's Planet Of The Apes certainly left a lot to be desired. A weirdly generic action blockbuster, its use of heavy-handed social commentary was only matched by the reliance on twists and callbacks just for the sake of it.

A full decade after that car crash, it was clear that the series needed to go in a vastly different direction to be relevant amongst film audiences once again. That direction proved to be backwards, which was exactly what the Apes franchise needed. Funnily enough, going down the prequel route elevated the dramatic tension significantly, as now you know what the world will ultimately turn into. That sense of dread lingers throughout, allowing director Rupert Wyatt to tell a slower, more dramatic story.

The reduced pace and heavier tone allow Wyatt to focus on the tragedy behind his protagonist, making the stakes deeply personal, which culminate perfectly in the unforgettable showdown at the Golden Gate Bridge. Impressively, the big shift not only made for a thrilling instalment but also produced one of cinema's most memorable characters in recent memory in Andy Serkis' Ceasar, locking in audiences in once again.