I think I'm starting to understand why Fox slapped such an awful title on the forthcoming Rise of the Planet of the Apes. All of the trailers we've seen so far, including the big domestic one, have focused heavily on the "prequel" aspects of the story, as the scientist played by James Franco develops his Alzheimer's cure and accidentally creates the super-smart ape Caesar in the process. Watching it you don't even get that it could be a Planet of the Apes movie until the very end, and I like that-- but in this day of movies needing to be pre-sold within an inch of their life, that kind of mystery won't necessarily draw eyeballs. Thus the clunky but definitely recognizable title.

At least they're keeping up the mystery in the trailers so far, including in the new, very short international trailer that Fox put online today. It contains some new footage, including an impressive effects shot of Caesar leaping to defend John Lithgow and then looking guilty about it. The movie is set for release on August 5, and if the trailers keep looking good, the movie might be able to overcome the awful title and be worth watching. Check out the trailer below.