It is a shame and almost criminal that Andy Serkis gets snubbed by the Academy simply because he does motion capture. CGI is only "make up". This dude is World Class as an actor.
Bro acted like a fuckin chimpanzee that was getting more and more human like each movie but still having ape qualities throughout his movements. That’s a very very hard role to play
As long as I’ve been into all things PLANET OF THE APES (since 1971), it never occurred to me to compare the two Caesars. I dig ‘em both for their own individual reasons.
Andy Serkis's Caesar is my favourite movie character, the writing for him from Rise to War is incredible in my opinion and the presence Seerkis brings to the character is masterclass in acting.
Andy Serkis Caesar is one of my favorite characters in all of cinema. Caesar’s character development and story throughout the trilogy is truly some of the best character writing I have ever seen and I’m still pissed Andy Serkis wasn’t at least nominated for an Oscar. #apestogetherstrong
Got introduced to these movies by the reboot, became a true fan after getting facinated by the original series. Came for the Serkis, stayed for the McDowell. Gonna go with both equally.
Minute one of this and you’ve got me in tears 😭❤️I can’t even choose between them which is better in performance. Serkis arguably one of the best actors on the planet and works SO hard and completely dedicated to the material. Roddy McDowall seemed to get more emotionally attached to Caesar himself, became determined to make this a completely different personality than Cornelius and not only worked so hard to make it a success but doing it at the same time he went through a great deal of physical turmoil as a result of the prosthetics and makeup and you wouldn’t even notice to watch him in the film. So much to admire in both of them.
I will always love and respect the Roddy McDowell Caesar but Andy serkis is the best Caesar. He is better written and has better development and buildup. I love them both but Andy serkis is the best Caesar.
The other thing with the tear on the statue, is that because it’s open ended there are two possible outcomes. On one hand the take could symbolise that Caesar was successful and now apes and humans can coexist. Or it could mean that he has failed and that the future we got in the original planet of the apes will be inevitable. As the lawgiver even said, “only the dead know the future”.
I like the clothes Roddy McDowell's Ceasar wears. Seeing all of the modern movies with naked apes was kinda boring. I hope that we see more apes in interesting outfits in the future.
@o0oShinigamio0o That's a contradiction though because he was a part of no culture and did it all on his own with normal human clothing that he just scavenged.
@CNTconnoisseur Bad Ape was literally around humans(escaped from a Zoo). There is no contradiction with him knowing that wearing a coat, pants and boots would protect him from the cold. He isn't just some random ape that came from out of nowhere. Even in the movie he references how he learned to speak and where his name came from. Naturally this means when he got smart he would take note of not only the humans speaking but their actions too...such as wearing coats when it is COLD. "You...learn to speak?" Caesar questions Bad Ape's ability to speak so fluently because only he and Koba could do so in his colony. "Listen...human....Bad Ape!" Bad Ape references the fact the humans probably spoke to the apes like dogs, so it was easy for him to pick up on that. So no, Bad Ape wearing those clothes was not a contradiction nor was it improbable.
I prefer Andy Serkis by a long ways, but the one thing that the story of Roddy McDowall has is a lot more character building for his wife. We barely know who Cornelia is. Both have good character development with their children though.
As someone who studies zoology, I naturally prefer the newer version of the Planet of The Apes franchise and love the more grounded scientific elements, also I find Andy Serkis’ Ceaser so fascinating. Although bot versions are pretty iconic.
Definitely both. There are fair arguments one could make for either but we can all agree that both Caesars are great. We wouldn't have the Reboot Caesar without the OG but Reboot Caesar also introduced many newcomers to this wonderful franchise (and the Original Caesar) and that strengthened the ties between the old and new. Personally, the thing I find most great and satisfying about Reboot Caesar is that I still see the Original Caesar in him, it's still the same character just with another great actor, in a new light and under new technology and direction. It's not like reading Marvel/DC comic books or reading the Percy Jackson books and then watching their most recent movie adaptations and seeing nothing but disrespect for the source material, the Reboot trilogy (and Kingdom by extension as well) respect the franchise's roots and they still carry the wonder, artistry and spirit of the original series.
"When the sea is a dead sea, and the land is a wasteland out of which I will lead my people from their captivity! And we will build our own cities in which there will be no place for humans except to serve our ends! And we shall found our own armies, our own religion, our own dynasty! And that day is upon you... now!" The Andy Serkis Caesar can't top that. Andy's Caesar is is much more flushed out overall but given the fact Author P. Jacob's was making the sequels on the fly Roddy's Caesar is done really well in both Conquest & Battle. I honestly have to say I love the rebooted Caesar, but overall I really love Roddy's version of Caesar.
@@PadmeGaveMeHIV lol, as I said both do it differently, Roddy had to go through hours of make up, then act, sirkis, though fantastic, didn’t have to do that! There is only one Caesar!
@@PadmeGaveMeHIV Speak for yourself and the handful of fans. Most of us saw Roddy FIRST because this series has been great from the start in 1968. Not 2011.
It's crazy how Roddy only played Caesar in two movies yet Caesar as a character has been widely considered the main protagonist of the entire Planet of the Apes franchise
Actually, as someone who was born the same year the live action television series aired, grew up with the original films, and have ALL of the apes films on DVD (from the original five to the 2001 film to the recent trilogy), I have to agree with your points on this, and your final choice. The original 5 films (and the TV series) will ALWAYS be cherished and have a very special place in my heart, the recent trilogy with Andy Sircus is certainly the superior version in many ways. That is not to say that Andy is a better actor than Roddy, far from it. I think both of them are phenomenal actors and did an excellent job with the material they had to work with and I consider them equals in that regard. But it was the difference in the writing of the two stories that really stands out between the two sets of films, and I think the over all writing in the trilogy was better than the original, though both were definitely very creative and quite extraordinary in their own way. This assessment also applies to the 2001 film as well, plus the makeup effects in that film were much more realistic, though the original was certainly groundbreaking and still holds up very well even now. All of them were great stories and each was very well done and definitely the best they could be for the time they were made. I absolutely love the Apes franchise and I cannot wait to see where the stories take us next.
I would love if you made videos focusing on individual characters, analyzing their full life story through the movies, comics and books. "Full Story of Caesar", "Full Story of Koba", "Full Story of Zira" etc
Modern day Apes look fantastic .. after Kingdom of the apes .. They should start to look like the Original MOVIE APES .. To show Evolution .. Wearing Clothes .. HOUSING AND FURNISHINGS
Roddy all the way. His Ceasar actually succeeded in taking over the human race, but did it the right way = living together as equals and in peace. Andy's Ceasar fought against the current and went nowhere. He was eventually forgotten about, and had his short lived legacy twisted in Kingdom. Roddy Ceasar wins by default. Don't get me started on performances. Roddy is so talented and gifted, he made Cornelius, Ceasar and Galen all very distinct Ape characters. His Ceasar was charming, yet commanding. Gentleman, yet assertive mastermind. Roddy was very overlooked in the early 70s before blockbuster cinema became more respected with Jaws. The Conquest speech is too overwhelming. Even Andy would admit that.
You forgot to mention in the story segment the religion established around Caesar in the first 2 films with dr zaious selling the myth to all the other characters even before Caesar was a real character.
Jadd J.A.D.D. Jadd Josh, you nailed this breakdown and your best one yet. Roddy McDowall was great as Cease, he had a strong start but didn't stick the landing. Andy Serkis is hands down the best Ceaser, he had such a perfect arc.
It’s kind of difficult to compare the two because they’re from such different eras of filmmaking. Roddy McDowell’s Caesar is incredible for what they managed to achieve with the technology of the 1970’s. But to me, Serkis’ Caesar was automatically better off in comparison because it’s obvious when you’re watching the movies how the people doing the motion capture and the writing and the choreography of each scene were able to take advantage of today’s technology to understand and portray elements of actual apes much better than the classic films could have. I’ve seen the original film, and have heard about the others in the series, and while I applaud what they did with what was available to them and respect the achievements of those films to this day, I just can’t look at the human actors with human proportions and human voices and not prefer the beautifully portrayed CGI apes and the somewhat more grounded story they were able to tell.
Besides personal opinions is really sad and pathetic that Paul Dehn hasn´t been credited in any of these new movies, he alone made Caesar what is in his core and should be respected by both Jaffa and Silver instead of just crediting themselves
GREAT VIDEO!! I know these deep dive breakdown videos are time-consuming to make. But they are much appreciated and necessary to truly do these movies justice. As well as hold us over until the next movie comes out lol. Keep em coming. Thanks!
Man its hard to say whos better! Sure Roddy wasnt in alot of them but his performance was astonishing to watch and I also heard Andy Serkis himself took inspiration from the older 60s and 70s movies for his version of Caeser :)
I’ve been thinking about this since it first posted. It can’t be a true comparison of the actor with different scripts, costumes/appliances/etc - a lot beyond the human actor’s control (so original vs reboot character would be my choice of phrasing.) But I do appreciate the challenges your comparison brings. I think the more interesting question would be: what would Roddy McDowall have done with motion capture? Given the status they both have in the industry , can you imagine a film (or better yet series) with the two of them playing off each other? If only….
The old POTA sequels are fun camp but there is no context here. Andy Serkis should have been nominated for an Oscar - especially for the final in the trilogy. There’s just no comparing the two. Apples to oranges.
Nothing compares to the o.g Caesar. There is only been 1 Caesar, and it will be. The man didn't act like an ape he turned a ape into a man. And the consequences.😪 brother, I have watched those old movies since a child, over n over again. The new ones are good, better than we deserve as mindless seat fillers.
It's said that acting, like any profession, builds on what was done before, and gets better (most of the time). So it's no surprise that Andy Serkis has built on what Roddy McDowell did and made it even better. Love both performances though.
I like to think that the nuclear war that happened in between Conquest and battle for may have been the tipoing point for Caesar. "Ok, now things have gone too far. We need to stop killing eachother."
An awesome and very fair comparison! I do like McDowall’s Caesar’s origin a bit more too because of its more poetic style. I do think it’s fair to acknowledge that Serkis had an “unfair” advantage with 3 movies and more development, but I would also add that the lack of spoken dialogue was a risk. Of course it work well in the Serkis trilogy but not every movie with minimal dialogue is able to pull it off. In the case of the Serkis films, it works to bring a little subtlety, allowing the audience to feel what Caesar is feeling, as opposed to McDowall’s Caesar where the dialogue is a little on the nose (though still very well done). I’m inclined to agree with your end verdict, a slight edges in favor of Andy Serkis’ version of Caesar.
I’m sorry Roddy McDowall did an amazing job the big speech at the end of the movie was pure gold not taking anything from Andy serkis acting ability but. Roddy had to be the better actor to make the movie work because special effects just weren’t there yet
I don’t believe in evolution, obviously. But if Caesar was to stand straight up, how tall would he be when he’s at his oldest/biggest? (Andy Serkis version)
If anyone wants to make an argument between the classics and reboots, we can clearly say they are in the same universe. From the books two planets were ruled by apes and humans gets shafted off the top of the food chain. Or The Apes in the classical series is much much more further in time. Humans are still evolving and same with theses apes. It could be that the apes became feeble and upright due to generations of a civilized life style
I think if it was just comparing rise to conquest that would be a wash for the og, but the cgi movies are really consistent so the average is definitely better.
In the new one when they mentioned Caesar was raised by humans it reminded me of Roman and Romulus who in legend founded Rome and was raised by wolves just like Caesar started ape society
I can sum up the compare and contrast by using one internet meme? Thing? Whatever you call it. Roddy McDowell is "THATS WHY HES THE GOAT!!!!" THE GOAT!!! And Andy Serkis is "It was perfect....every, minute detail" Hope that makes sense
It's easy to say that Serkis, who is an amazing actor and performer, is the "better" Caesar. It's quite easy when you have CGI to correct certain elements in a computer. However, Roddy McDowall's Caesar had to act through the thickness of the appliances and try to convey emotion. For me Serkis will never be Caesar. McDowall is the only one as he was the one who had to create with his body and soul. Serkis again had the fortune of a computer to help him. McDowall had nothing.
I’d argue that Serkis does give himself body and soul to what he does - one only needs to go back to his audition tape as Gollum/Sméagol to see that. The behind the scenes from LOTR as well.
I would give it to the Andy Serkis Caesar. Such a good character with a great arc spanning a really solid trilogy. The Roddy McDowall version is great and iconic in his own right. I think I give the edge to the roboot since I like the cast around their Caesar more. Characters like Maurice and Rocket as well as a fantastic villain like Koba, really elevates that Caesar, imo.
I think we can all agree the Andy Serkis Caesar beats Rody McDowell's Caesar any day. The Andy Serkis Caesar had far superior writing and a way more powerful journey and Serkis outacted McDowell. Loved your intro mirroring the opening text in Kingdom of The Planet of The Apes btw!
I was searching for a video like this some weeks ago and found nothing. I thought I was the only one comparing both Caesars. Glad to see it exists now!
Despite being equally raised by humans, I feel like Andy Serkis's Caesar has more "humanity" than RoddyMcDowall's Caesar. In Conquest, Caesar's hateful gaze haunted me, especially the ending scene. It's hard to explain that after watching Battle, I found his personality to be much quieter. Even though he still has prejudices against humans, the feeling he gives is still no different from watching Conquest.
