'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' Joins a Line of Science Gone Wrong Plots

Nicole A.
Director Rupert Wyatt describes "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" as a movie that tells the tale of an animal raging against the machine. Making apes smarter to test a possible cure for Alzheimer's disease is an understandable concept that could lead to great breakthroughs in medicine. Unfortunately for the human scientists in this film, their plans backfire and provide audiences with another serving of big-screen plots featuring experiments that took a turn for the worse.

"Hollow Man"
In "Hollow Man" starring Kevin Bacon, a group of scientists attempt to create their own serum for the military that makes the subject using it invisible. After success with animal testing, the main character heightens the stakes by attempting to find out if this serum works just as well on humans. He brings a few, trusted team members along on an innovative ride that turns deadly when the subject being tested starts wreaking havoc in the workplace and out in the street. All involved quickly learn that reversing the process to make the subject visible again is more complicated than they thought. Murder, lies, tricks, and assault become the main focus, leaving these scientist to regret agreeing to such an experiment.

"Deep Blue Sea"
While the invisibility serum was used to do more harm than good in "Hollow Man," it could have been a beneficial resources for "Deep Blue Sea" characters. The aquatic Samuel L. Jackson thriller takes a slightly different approach to finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease than scientists in "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." Instead of using Apes, the main scientist in "Deep Blue Sea" boldly uses genetically engineered sharks with an increased brain capacity to harvest tissue protein that can be used for their cure. An escape of the newly genius sharks puts the entire research team in danger, causing these scientists to try outsmarting and surviving the beasts created by one of their own.

"Jurassic Park"
The amount of genetic engineering that played a part in the plot "Deep Blue Sea" and demise of scientists in this film are relatively minor compared to all the cloning of dinosaurs that took place in "Jurassic Park." A wealthy man's new theme park venture featuring real-life creatures from prehistoric times were certainly a draw until workers started getting killed. Movie plots featuring tales of science gone wrong usually depict animals raging against the machine, especially when they are either out of their natural element or not natural creatures to begin with.

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Published by Nicole A. - Featured Contributor in Arts & Entertainment

She has written and produced several short movies. She currently works as a freelance editor while continuing to make independent films.  View profile

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  • Nancy Austin11/2/2011

    Planet of the Apes, the originals scared me beyond compare as a child. I always thought it was truly weird.

  • David Carr8/4/2011

    I was surprised you did not mention the 2001 "Planet Of the Apes" with Mark Wahlberg or the 1968 original with Charleton Heston. Science going wrong is just purely entertainment and Hollywood seems fascinated with reboots and remakes rather than original material

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