Pub.lished Movie Reviews
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is the first of a prequel trilogy to the original Charlton Heston classic.
If you haven't seen the first "Planet of the Apes", go see it. It is still eminently watchable, and you would do a disservice to yourself to watch the prequel first.
In fact, stop reading this review, as it gives spoilers to the original "Planet of the Apes".
For those of us who have watched the original "Planet of the Apes", we know that Apes evolved and Humans devolved.
But how did it happen? This movie answers that question, and once the question is answered, the tension slowly builds until the dramatic finale.
A substance designed to help the brain repair itself to cure Alzheimer's gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising.
It was a really bold move from a studio to release such a huge movie from such a fresh and inexperienced director, but it pays off.
There is very little dialogue, as the Apes can only sign, so the entire success of the movie is dependent on the combination of the actors, and the CGI overlaid on top of the actors' facial expressions. The result is utterly captivating, and at no point do we find ourselves frustrated at the captions that show us what the apes are communicating with sign language.
Pauline Kael quipped that the original movie had only one good little hopper who managed to show personality through the inexpressive ape suit she wore.
In this movie, the amount of expression we see in the face of the lead Ape, Caesar, is nothing short of Oscar-worthy.
The performances are all superb, with human and ape actors both delivering their roles convincingly and with a high degree of emotional depth.
The story is incredibly engaging. It is so riveting that you find yourself completely drawn into the world of the apes, rooting for them in their struggle.
Yes, somehow we find ourselves rooting for the Apes over most of humanity.
Thoroughly recommended.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes, a 2011 cinematic marvel, is a story spun around a revolutionary substance designed to boost brain repair. Unexpectedly, this substance grants an ordinary chimpanzee an extraordinary level of intelligence. What follows is a gripping saga of this super-intelligent chimp leading an uprising of apes, a plot that expertly blurs the line between science fiction and reality.
In a rather bold move, the studio entrusted this massive project to a relatively new director. The risk was significant, especially given that the first 30 minutes or so of the movie unfolds without any dialogue. However, this courageous decision paid off handsomely, resulting in a riveting viewing experience that keeps you glued to your seat.
The computer-generated imagery (CGI) of the apes is nothing short of a masterpiece. The realism and attention to detail are so impressive that they easily outshine much of what Disney produces today. Every gesture, every expression of the apes feels incredibly real, adding a whole new level of depth to the narrative.
The acting is top-notch, with each character breathing life into the story. The performances are so compelling and immersive that you can't help but be drawn into the unfolding drama. And then there's Gary Oldman, who brings his own unique touch to the movie, enhancing its overall appeal.
At its core, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is an engaging, thought-provoking tale that will keep you hooked from start to finish. It's more than just a movie – it's an experience you wouldn't want to miss. So, if you haven't seen it yet, I highly recommend you do. It's a thrilling ride that's sure to leave you wanting more.
- You are not comfortable with intense action or violence.
- You are upset by scenes that may induce fear or tension.
- You don't like movies with elements of science fiction.
- You prefer light-hearted, comedic movies over dramatic ones.
- You are not above the age of 13. It's recommended for ages 13 and up.
Warning: The following may contain spoilers:
What's the deal with "Rise of the Planet of the Apes?"I mean, we've got a bunch of apes that are smarter than most people I know.
They're using sign language, outsmarting scientists, and organizing a rebellion. At this rate, I'm expecting them to start filing their taxes and complaining about the morning commute!
- Planet of the Apes (1968)
- Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
- War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Interstellar (2014)
Directed by Christopher Nolan, "Interstellar" presents a gripping story about the struggle for survival of the human race on a larger, cosmic scale. It's a mix of science fiction and drama that's grounded in emotional depth and thematic richness. The film shares many similarities with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, including its exploration of humanity, survival, and scientific ethics.
War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)Directed by Matt Reeves, who also directed "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," this film continues the narrative of Caesar, the highly-intelligent ape from the original film, and his band of simian followers. Although it's directly linked to the movie you enjoyed, it has its own unique storyline that develops the characters further. The CGI and performance capture techniques used in this film are truly staggering, presenting the apes in the best light yet.
Jurassic Park (1993)Directed by Steven Spielberg, "Jurassic Park" revolves around a remote island where a wealthy businessman has secretly created a theme park featuring real, live dinosaurs, genetically engineered with DNA retrieved from prehistoric insects. Like Rise of the Planet of the Apes, this film also explores the consequences when man meddles with nature.
I Am Legend (2007):If you don't mind mixing some zombi-esque creatures with your human vs nature's creations theme, "I Am Legend," featuring Will Smith, might tickle your interest. While the premise of a lone man in a post-apocalyptic world might be similar, this movie throws in a dark twist by introducing deadly night creatures.
Ex Machina (2014):A psychological thriller meets sci-fi drama, "Ex Machina" poses intriguing questions about artificial intelligence and what it means to be human. Just as Rise of the Planet of the Apes uses science gone awry to fuel its narrative, Ex Machina uses the field of AI in a similar way. The result is an engaging and thought-provoking film that pairs well with the themes found in Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
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