You are here:
Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film

Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film

2019

Director

William Conlin

Runtime

86 minutes

Average Rating

No ratings yet

Synopsis

Fifty years after its release, the special effects makeup team behind Planet of the Apes reflect on making the iconic film.

Where to Watch

Diversity & Representation

Overall Score

2.0/10

Limited


Category Breakdown

LGBTQ+ Representation

Minimal

The documentary focuses strictly on the technical lineage of makeup artistry and stop-motion evolution. There is no evidence of LGBTQ+ characters or narratives addressing non-cisnormative identities.

Gender Representation

Limited

The narrative centers on fields historically dominated by male practitioners. It documents specific artists but does not actively seek to highlight female agency or subvert traditional gender hierarchies.

Racial & Ethnic Diversity

Limited

The film explores a specific lineage of Western cinematic technique. The subject matter focuses on a relatively homogeneous group of creators without significant racial blending or diverse casting.

Religious & Cultural Diversity

Limited

The film prioritizes the celebration of Western cinematic milestones and the mastery of craft. It lacks anti-Western or secularist critiques, reinforcing the legacy of established industry institutions.

Disability Representation

Minimal

This technical study of artistry does not incorporate themes of neurodivergence or physical disability. There is no evidence of characters with disabilities being portrayed with agency.

Strengths

  • Provides a detailed historical record of the evolution of practical special effects and stop-motion animation.
  • Offers a deep biographical look at the artists responsible for iconic cinematic makeup achievements.

Areas for Improvement

  • Lacks engagement with intersectional identities or the social impact of the film industry.
  • Fails to address the historical gender and racial imbalances present in the special effects field.

AI Analysis

Making Apes: The Artists Who Changed Film serves as a specialized historical archive focused on the evolution of practical special effects. The documentary prioritizes the preservation of technical craft and biographical retrospection over social or intersectional discourse. Because the film honors a specific lineage of makeup and animation artists, the presentation reflects the traditional demographic compositions of the mid-to-late 20th-century film industry. The narrative architecture is designed to celebrate professional achievement rather than deconstruct systemic hierarchies. Ultimately, the work functions as a conservative, industry-focused retrospective. It lacks the narrative space for identity-driven storytelling, resulting in a narrow focus on Western cinematic milestones and technical mastery.

How are these scores produced? →

Similar Movies

Rate this Movie

No rating selected
Use arrow keys to select a rating from 1 to 5 stars
Optional text review, maximum 2000 characters
Tip: Wrap spoilers with ||double pipes|| to hide them
0/2000 characters
You must be signed in to submit a rating

Reviews

No reviews yet. Be the first to share your thoughts on this movie!

Use the rating form above to leave a star rating and optional review.