This article contains spoilers for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
However, it also describes the less loved 2001Planet of the Apes, directed byTim Burton.
On a narrative level, the ending of 2001Apesmakes no sense, not even to Burton.
But the explanation for the Lincoln reveal is obvious.
The 2001 movie is calling back to the 1968 film.
But no sooner does the familiarity set in than Raka continues.
We call them all Nova,' he says with resignation.
I dont know why.
It must be something from Caesars time.
In fact, the Nova gag serves two important functions.
However, on a more functional level, the joke puts callbacks into perspective.
And in almost every single instance, theyre terrible.
Why in the world doesBatmanwalk into the cave and say, You wanna get nuts?
Lets get nuts inThe Flash?
The answer is simple.
The audience expects them.
The callbacks are ways to flatter the audiences ability to recognize things they know.
Surprisingly, just such an example occurs in the 2001Planet of the Apes.
However, these are outliers.
In most cases, even harmless references clang and distract.
The line is nothing like the authentic expression of a real character and exactly like a movie quote.
Which, of course, it is.
When Raka pauses after stating the name Nova, he lets the audience have their self-satisfied moment.
In other words, it tells the audience to stop looking elsewhere for meaning and enjoy the movie itself.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is in theaters now.
