The Apes series was one of the longest in modern cinema history, that is until Star Trek came around. The disadvantage of the Apes series is it is one linearly connected story. Escape is the third in a five- picture series, and here we begin to get weary of the whole thing.

As you might remember, in picture 2, Beneath the Planet of the Apes, Taylor set off the Alpha Omega warhead which burns the earth to a cinder.

At the beginning of Escape Taylor's spaceship washes ashore. The U.S. Army greets the astronauts, who turn out to be apes.

OK, FOUL!

In previous films, this ship sank! The apes did not recover it. The leap of faith is too great.

The apes are Zira, Cornelius (who we met in the previous films) and Doctor Milo, whom we have not. (Presumably, Milo figured out the technology). The apes are taken to the zoo, and do not reveal their intelligence right off.

When they do, we have a reversal of the Planet of the Apes theme. The dominant species cannot tolerate the existence of another intelligent species. The apes must be disposed of somehow as Taylor and Brent were. And as in the previous films, someone cannot tolerate the cruelty of the state, insuring survival ... and another film.

You have to space the films out to prevent an incredible deja vu feeling. We really are seeing the same story over and over.