The Importance of Planet of the Apes

"You are right, I have always known about man. From the evidence, I believe his wisdom must walk hand and hand with his idiocy. His emotions must rule his brain. He must be a warlike creature who gives battle to everything around him, even himself."--Dr. Zaius from the original "Planet of the Apes" Movie

The whole "Planet of the Apes" story(there were 4 sequel/prequels of the 1968 original) has always captivated me.  I remember watching them for the 1st time when I was around 12 years old.  The 1st movie blew my mind with the Statue of Liberty ending(didn't see that coming!), and talking apes.  Fantastic, or shall I say Apetastic.  I used to get so frustrated watching Planet of the Apes because of the silencing of the truth by the Orangutangs (most wise a combo science/religion ape thing hierarchy).  Almost all my friends had seen the movie.  There was even a TV show, trading cards and models you could make of the characters(I blew up a Gorilla General with fireworks!) . 

As I grew older, my enjoyment of Planet of the Apes has never seemed to wane.  The remake of the original was a hoot.  Better ape suits, better ape action, like how they moved and were way stronger than humans, just scarier.  Funny too, like the part with Charlton Heston as a dying chimpanzee giving a speech(would not be Charlton Heston with out a speech of some sort?) on the evils of mankind and technology, mainly firearms.  Are you kidding me?  Charlton Heston(the original human/astronaut from the 1968 movie) dressed up like a chimp telling everyone how bad guns are!  At the time of the movie, the president of the National Rifle Association!  I think I was the only one in the theater laughing my fool head off.  No one got it. 

Now with latest installment of the Plant of the Apes, the Rise of...POTA, I am giddy with excitement.  More ape action! Mostly, though it is time to get some of the fellas together and celebrate being guys.  I am looking forward to a pre-movie meal(hamburgers, fries and ranch), and just being one of the guys.  Being one of the guys is important for any man, especially if you are married with kids.  Every once in while it fun to go back to our native ways, stupid jokes, simplistic entertainment(Gorillas, Orangutangs, and Chimps, OH MY!), sports talk, and guys talking at each other in story fashion.  No deep questions here.  No "feelings" questions except the 'I don't feel too good, too much ranch dressing with my fries'.  No sad stories, just a shared good time.  It is enough for us guys to just share an event with surfacy talk.  That type of time spent can be good for men with bigger responsibilities of being husbands, fathers, employees, leaders, etc...

For single guys, it can be the opposite in that you spend plenty of time with surfacy things and events.  I know I did even in my late 30's and early 40's before I was married again.  That is a man's life, to play, to do stuff, to joke around and not get too deep, unless it is some problem solving thing like fixing something, building something, programming something, you know project oriented.   But I digress from POTA...

I have always believed that the simpliest things are the best.  Less is more and more is not worth the hassle.  An event like going to a movie and a meal with the guys once in while makes it special.  Being with friends is even better, the type of friends I have know for years and have gotten deep with.  Planet of the Apes is an opportunity to reaffirm those relationships in a simple way.  When I was 12, I never thought a movie with people dressed up like apes would come to mean so much.  

Shawn
is a Relationship Coach.  Contact me, I know I can help ya out!  Shawn@coachingthrough.com