from
cinematicmethod.comby Kyle ColemanRise of the Planet of the Apes is the best summer movie I've seen in 2011. Not to be confused with the best movie I've seen this summer, which is either
Harry Potter 7.2 or
Super 8 depending on how specific you are about when summer officially starts. I say that
Apes is the best "summer movie" because it nails every element of what a summer flick is supposed to have: fun plot, compelling characters, cool special effects, fast action and a touch of emotional depth.
James Franco plays a biological researcher developing a drug that allows regeneration of brain cells for the ultimate purpose of curing human diseases like Alzheimer's (from which is father, John Lithgow, suffers). He tests his drug on a lady chimp with great results, higher intelligence and great learning capabilities.
Unfortunately, she feels that her newborn baby is being threatened in the facility, has a violent reaction and is put down by the business suits in charge. Franco adopts the baby chimp, who has inherited the intelligence genes from his mother, and the two live together for years. I never like to give too much away plot-wise, so I'll keep this short: the chimp misbehaves and is put in captivity with other apes. One thing leads to another, and the planet of the apes is officially rising.
I must admit, I didn't think from the trailers that this movie was going to be worth the price of admission, and I was very, very wrong. Right from the start, we get immersed with the developing relationship between Franco and his baby monkey, Caesar. We end up caring about the little fella, being proud of his intelligence, and sympathizing with him even when he misbehaves. Because of this attachment, I found myself betraying my own human race and rooting for Caesar once the two sides were at odds. This was probably abetted by Tom Felton, better known as Draco Malfoy, who plays an abusive chimp handler that I couldn't help but hate (I wonder if I'll hate him forever because of Draco).
At the same time, there is a nice juxtaposition between Franco, who is developing the drug to make a positive difference in the world, and the CEO of the company, who cares about nothing but the money he'll make from the successful drug. The CEO rushing the development of the drug not only allows a quicker spread of intelligence in the apes, but also sets up a potential epidemic that will be a major focus of the sequel (stay seated for the closing credits scene).
The capture animation in
Apes is absolutely stunning. I couldn't believe how perfect they look, and how great the movement and feel of all the chimps was in every scene. The chimps were awesome without being distracting (like 3D would have been) and the animation allowed for close-ups of faces and eyes that wonderfully conveyed emotions during key scenes. If nothing else, this film is worth seeing just for this aspect.
After we saw the development, captivity and jailbreak of the apes, it is time for a dramatic climax that was just flat out cool. The movie takes place in San Francisco, and the Golden Gate Bridge was a perfect stomping ground for the apes to show off their talents: running, climbing, swinging and fighting while facing heavy human opposition. I'd like to commend director Rupert Wyatt, because this scene could not have been better.
So, believe the advertising, believe the hype.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a great summer film and I can't wait to see it again.
Rating: 8.3/10Follow us on Twitter!Subscribe on iTunes
PantaOz on 8/05/11 at 01:40 PM
I am a real sucker for these movies... and i love when the animals rule! :-) Excellent review and this is next on my list of movies to watch!
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starlett2005 on 8/05/11 at 08:32 PM
Great review. I'm planning on seeing this film next weekend.
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Indiana Jones 79 on 8/06/11 at 08:29 AM
Great review, I haven't seen any "planet of the apes" movies except the original, but I might see this if I have time!
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Daniel R. on 8/06/11 at 08:34 AM
Awesome review. I'll check this out.
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Quinn B. on 8/06/11 at 08:47 AM
I am pumped for this, great review Kyle!
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The Creep on 8/06/11 at 09:06 AM
Great review, but not my cup of tea. The only Planet of the Apes moie that has interested me was the very first.
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Domas on 8/06/11 at 09:09 AM
WOW I'm very impredded by all the reviews. i thought this will be failed cash in flick. Excellent review.
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Pandy357 on 8/06/11 at 09:12 AM
Can't wait to see it!!! Awesome review ;)
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DrJimbo32 on 8/06/11 at 09:49 AM
Great review, looking forward to this one
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HERESSSSSSJOHNNY on 8/06/11 at 10:11 AM
Never a fan of this series, may rent it though. great review.
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Eldest2005 on 8/06/11 at 11:07 AM
Same for me. Of the series, I've only seen parts of the remake. This is a rental.
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HERESSSSSSJOHNNY on 8/06/11 at 12:48 PM
The original wasn't my cup of tea. The remake was atrocious.
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CinematicMethod.com on 8/07/11 at 12:14 PM
That's what I thought too, Burton and Marky Mark really turned me off. This one is great though!
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Mr. Hulot on 8/06/11 at 10:22 AM
Excellent review.
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zain h. - movies guy on 8/06/11 at 12:40 PM
I have to see this film! Great review by the wat.
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Myerla on 8/06/11 at 01:17 PM
Nice review. PLan to see this when it comes out.
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Wisenheimer on 8/06/11 at 01:44 PM
I will definitely be seeing this in theaters. Great review Kyle. :)
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billwh2 on 8/06/11 at 05:33 PM
I might actually see this.
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Hawaiianguy2991 on 8/06/11 at 05:58 PM
Awesome work, agree, one of the better films this summer.
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Rachel H. on 8/06/11 at 07:45 PM
great review! seeing this tomorrow!!!
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adler-s on 8/06/11 at 11:58 PM
spot-on. but, why not 90/100%?
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CinematicMethod.com on 8/07/11 at 12:15 PM
90 or 100 need to be elite movies for me (Godfathers, Inception, Dark Knight, etc.). This is great, but I don't think it's in that class.
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Paul on 8/07/11 at 04:20 AM
Great review, this looks very good.
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Chase R on 8/07/11 at 02:01 PM
good review, great movie
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Sean C. -The One Coz- on 8/07/11 at 08:36 PM
Great review, I agree and gave it an 8 as well.
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AndysFilms on 8/08/11 at 05:04 AM
Great review Kyle! The critics like this one & I'm intrigued to see it...
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rafael t. on 8/08/11 at 06:35 AM
great review... will check out soon... sadly it doesn't hit theaters down here till september 30 .... long time to wait...
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MattPayne.MPA on 8/08/11 at 07:27 AM
Agreed!It was an amazing film that really surpassed my expectations!Great review! :)
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TheCriticAlex on 8/08/11 at 11:30 AM
Great Review I haven't seen this film yet so can't really comment.
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Dave J on 8/08/11 at 12:44 PM
In your opinion, does this one be connected to the Mark Walberg's version of Planet of the apes 'or' the 1968 version with Charleton Heston?
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Movie Fail on 6/07/12 at 07:31 AM
I feel like this one was better connected to the original; the Tim Burton Planet of the Apes was more of an alternate-universe scenario where humans go to another planet that is ruled by apes, but when they return to earth, earth is also ruled by apes. It's a strange little twist on the original's formula. This one is more of a reboot/prequel like X-Men: First Class which hasn't negated the other original Planet of the Apes films... yet.
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Irukandji on 8/08/11 at 06:30 PM
Superb review! Glad you enjoyed!
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Javier A. on 8/08/11 at 07:22 PM
great review.
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Maksim Baldzhiev on 8/09/11 at 03:57 AM
I saw it two days ago, but have not submitted my review.This movie works on several levels: morality, humanity, friendship, evolution.....and of course the mesmerizing Andy Serkis
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Lemonball on 8/11/11 at 12:25 PM
I am so surprised to see so many positive reviews for this. My anticipation/interest factor has been pretty low for this film, and I still cant really get exctied about it. I might check it out eventually though, and based on what I have read, I might be pleasently surprised. Awesome review by the way.
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Lord Naseby on 8/15/11 at 02:53 PM
Great review! I am excited to see this one. I hope I like it.
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Aussie Keno on 8/16/11 at 05:01 AM
Nice Review Mate!
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Benito Rincones on 10/05/11 at 09:11 AM
I too also didn't think that this film was going to be as good as it was, but I was so impressed with the results, and I also believe that this film also makes up for that screwball Mark Wahlberg film.
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Movie Fail on 6/07/12 at 07:29 AM
Solid review, man - I totally agree about the effects, story, etc. It was a surprisingly cool summer sci-fi blockbuster. I did think Franco was badly miscast as a scientist, though - he never once looked like he understood the academic jargon he spoke throughout the entire film.
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