Earth Walker
August 11th, 2001, 06:03 PM
Mystique on the evolution of apes in Hollywood movies:
Like many early Hollywood releases, King Kong characterized
apes as sympathetic monsters in very bad costumes.
The crude characterization reflected shallow and erroneous
stereotypes that bore little resemblance to the real thing.
2001: A Space Odyssey gave the ape-human more depth of
character -- portrayed through social interactions and warfare --
but the costumes still made them look like humans running
around in hairy suits.
Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan was the first film to use what
researchers knew about apes. The ape characters -- played by
humans -- had personalities and a complex social structure.
Attention to detail in movement made the human-apes
particularly convincing. Director Hugh Hudson was careful to
avoid shots showing long human legs and short arms, and as a
result many moviegoers thought the apes were real.
A growing respect for the gorilla's social structure and intelligence
carried on with Gorillas In The Mist. But the film was constrained
by its use of real gorillas and human actors in costume. The ape
actors were limited to sitting still or to appearing behind bushes,
and the few action shots of them moving demonstrated that the
director hadn't addressed the problem of human leg length, so
they often looked like humans in hairy suits.
Congo, except for the quality of the costumes, reverted to the
old stereotypes of demi-monsters. The social complexity and
intellgence was hidden behind the shallowness of Hollywood's
stereotypical idea of entertaining apes.
The remake of Mighty Joe Young was an innovative combination
of humans in costumes, lifesize puppets and computer enhance-
ment. The film demonstrated clearly that this combination could
produce an effective ape creation. An impressive technical
achievement -- if the story and script are ignored.
King Kong promoted ridiculous stereotypes about apes: No
wonder Fay Wray screamed. :D :bigredgri
Patriarchal had a specific beginning in history.
It will also have an end. :smash:
Like many early Hollywood releases, King Kong characterized
apes as sympathetic monsters in very bad costumes.
The crude characterization reflected shallow and erroneous
stereotypes that bore little resemblance to the real thing.
2001: A Space Odyssey gave the ape-human more depth of
character -- portrayed through social interactions and warfare --
but the costumes still made them look like humans running
around in hairy suits.
Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan was the first film to use what
researchers knew about apes. The ape characters -- played by
humans -- had personalities and a complex social structure.
Attention to detail in movement made the human-apes
particularly convincing. Director Hugh Hudson was careful to
avoid shots showing long human legs and short arms, and as a
result many moviegoers thought the apes were real.
A growing respect for the gorilla's social structure and intelligence
carried on with Gorillas In The Mist. But the film was constrained
by its use of real gorillas and human actors in costume. The ape
actors were limited to sitting still or to appearing behind bushes,
and the few action shots of them moving demonstrated that the
director hadn't addressed the problem of human leg length, so
they often looked like humans in hairy suits.
Congo, except for the quality of the costumes, reverted to the
old stereotypes of demi-monsters. The social complexity and
intellgence was hidden behind the shallowness of Hollywood's
stereotypical idea of entertaining apes.
The remake of Mighty Joe Young was an innovative combination
of humans in costumes, lifesize puppets and computer enhance-
ment. The film demonstrated clearly that this combination could
produce an effective ape creation. An impressive technical
achievement -- if the story and script are ignored.
King Kong promoted ridiculous stereotypes about apes: No
wonder Fay Wray screamed. :D :bigredgri
Patriarchal had a specific beginning in history.
It will also have an end. :smash: