The premise involves characters stranded on an island populated by genetically modified apes, echoing “In the Shadow of Kilimanjaro” from fourteen years prior, but set in a restricted Pacific location. It’s akin to "Sands of the Kalahari," only with a heightened sense of energy, and constrained by a TV production scale. Ron Perlman leads the cast as a taciturn operative, while Mark Kiely portrays his complicated colleague on the rescue mission. Kimberlee Peterson is adequate in her role as Kelsey, though the director seemed unsure how to compose shots featuring women; Roxana Zal also appears in a smaller part. The film shares some resemblance with the initial thirty minutes of “Planet of the Apes” (1968), with Perlman stepping into Charlton Heston’s former position. However, that earlier movie is so impactful because its creators invested time in developing the characters before unleashing the action; the same can be said for "Sands of the Kalahari." This film doesn't follow suit. Still, those who enjoy Ron Perlman’s performances, or any of the films referenced, as well as general deserted island stories, are likely to discover some enjoyment from this lighthearted diversion. Released in May 1999, its running time is 1 hour and 25 minutes. Filming occurred in Oaxtepec, a ninety-minute drive south of Mexico City, with the ocean scenes shot in Ixtapa, which is located seven and a half hours southwest of there along the coastline. GRADE: C+

Source on TMDB