Another spaceship is sent to discover what happened to Taylor's ship from the first movie. It crashes on the planet of the apes, killing its captain. Astronaut Brent is the lone survivor on the unknown planet with no way home. He searches for life and happens across Nova, Taylor's human mate, but without Taylor anywhere to be seen. Together they return to ape city and Brent realizes his worst nightmare.
Once again seeking the aid of two chimpanzees, Zira and Cornelius, Brent and Nova get supplies and a map to the Forbidden Zone, where Taylor was last seen. Once there, Brent discovers a group of intelligent humans who have mutated and gained telepathic and mind control powers. They also worship the Alpha Omega bomb, leftover from the time when man ruled the Earth. The apes want to kill everyone in the Forbidden Zone and the mutants' only weapon is the bomb.
This sequel to "Planet of the Apes" is more sci-fi than the first and a tad harder to believe. However, it is still very intriguing because this movie shows more of the long gone human-led Earth. We see our own present world as an ancient archeological find, which is disconcerting in a way that piques our interest.
The story is interesting, although it is about half a rehash of the first movie with the other half almost being a continuation of the first. In fact, it could have started out right where the first ends with Heston yelling at the Statue of Liberty. It does not need a second astronaut at all. However, Heston did not want to be in it more than he is. This is not to say that the new actors are a compete waste. They do add depth and Brent does create less of a sense of being alone for Taylor.
Most of the main cast reprised their roles in this sequel. Of course, Charlton Heston returned as Taylor, but in a much briefer and lesser role, being only seen as flashbacks and for the last fifteen minutes or so. His actions are pivotal but brief. Kim Hunter returns as the compassionate ape, Zira. Maurice Evans returns as the sly and secretive Dr. Zaius, the orangutan ape "leader" and antagonist of both movies. The beautiful Linda Harrison returns as the non-speaking, half-clothed human and lover of Taylor, Nova.
One actor who does not reprise his role is the veteran actor, Roddy McDowall, who played Zira's compassionate mate, Cornelius. He is sadly missed in this sequel. He did not return for this sequel because he was directing a movie overseas. However, short segments with McDowall are used from the first movie, making McDowall the only actor to appear in all five ape movies.
Instead of McDowall, Cornelius is played by David Watson. It just is not the same without McDowall. Fortunately, Cornelius' role in this movie is considerably lesser than in the original. And even more fortunate, McDowall is in all of the other ape sequels as Cornelius and Caesar, Cornelius' son, and with a much bigger role.
It is obvious that the new addition and "star,” James Franciscus, who plays Brent, the new astronaut, looks strikingly just like Charlton Heston in body, hair, and face. While not an exact match, it begs the point that he was probably chosen for that very reason. The role was originally intended for Burt Reynolds.
Franciscus does a great job. He creates a starring character that is more endearing than Heston's Taylor, who only thought about himself, and without Heston's "over-acting." You actually care about his character.
The special effects and music are just as good as the first movie. The apes use the same make-up and costumes. The main additions are the mutated faces of the humans beneath the planet. Nothing elaborate. It is cool to see the remnants of New York City.
The ending is really THE end of the ape franchise. The remaining sequels all occur in the past, before the first two films take place. Time travel, don't you love it?
While not the best sequel, "Beneath the Planet of the Apes" is still a must-see for sci-fi and "ape" fans.
