*review* Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

I often leave the theater disappointed and frustrated, films never seem to live up to their trailers, they go on far too long, lack impact, pander to a more cynical but simpleminded crowd and just generally end up hollow.  Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the first film in what seems like forever that has not only lived up to my expectations but exceeded them.  

Dawn of Planet of the Apes wastes absolutely no time in establishing the setting and mood of the film as the opening credits serve as a visual simulation of the simian flu outbreak, showcasing in an incredibly powerful and frightening display how a single virus has brought humanity down to the endangered species list. What follows is a 2 hour spectacle that makes the sci-fi lover in me breathe a sigh of relief knowing that creativity and ingenuity are not dead there just waiting for the right artists to come along and remember them.

And remember them they do.  Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is probably the most visually stunning film of the year, and that’s me as a G-fan humbly taking the spotlight off of Legendary’s Godzilla.  The scenery is absolutely breathtaking; I personally loath Post Apocalyptic stories that take place in dull, endless wastelands of sand, snow or some other generic element.  Planet of the Apes however brings to life a living and vibrate world full of natural overgrowth that has overtaken mans old world and created something new. The real talent of Dawn of the planet of the Apes however lies in the apes themselves, I found myself over and over again forgetting that I was looking at CGI concoctions and not actual apes. The blending of ape and human on screen was practically seamless in both image and movement especially on the part of the incredibly talented Andy Serkis.

Serkis’s Performance as Caesar was a true joy to watch as he managed to create a real and relatable character with simply his body language and voice, which must one of the more difficult roles an actor can take on. The rest of the ape cast also did fantastic jobs, with a special mention Toby Kebbell for his talent in creating a truly villainous rival for Caesar in the human hating Koba.  However while the Apes were fantastic the humans were a bit of a mixed bag.   Most of the actors were fine enough but even leading man Jason Clarke as Malcolm and Gary Oldman as Dreyfus seemed to struggle with really getting a strong feel for their characters and not just come across as actors acting.

Though some of the acting may have been average it was hardly noticeable against the movie’s atmosphere and writing as Dawn of the Planet of the Apes Captures much of the solemn and mature subject matter of the original film series. The film explores strong philosophical elements such as racism and coexistence as Caesar and Malcom desperately try and find a way to prevent war between their species. All this is enhanced by a phenomenal scenery and  a powerful musical score that all add to the chilling atmosphere of humanity’s last days as the dominate species.

  Whether it’s the amazing score by Michael Giacchino, the haunting scenery of an abandoned city or a tragic tale of two cultures doomed to never fully find peace Dawn of the Plant of the Apes is an unforgettable experience and one that certainly should not be missed on the big screen.

Spoilerific insight

. I  can’t help but crack up at how Caesar is all well groomed and clean looking for an ape obviously representing his more heroic traits  but then on the flip side Koba is all scarred and looks like he has mange and a cleft lip because he’s the bad guy.   

.Nice subtle touch marking the house Caesar grew up in as infected with the simian flue that way we have an actual answer to why James’s Franco’s character is no longer in the movies instead of having to assume things.

. I think my favorite shot of the whole film is when the apes arrive at the human settlement riding horses and armed with spears. As soon as the ride out of the jungle the expressions of humanity just reflect that the world has changed and will never be the way it was again.

.How did the apes know how to take the gun safety’s off so quickly?

. A monkey duel wielding machines guns on top of horse jumping through a wall of fire, I think that speaks for itself.