I'm gonna come out and say this...IT WAS EARTH THE WHOLE TIME!
And this is the Rise of the Planet of the Apes Review...
Now I loved the Planet of the Apes films when I was little. It was first twist ending and that had big impact on me when I was little. The first is still a classic but the subsequent sequels though interesting were not as good as their progenitor, but of them my favorite was Conquest of the Planet of the Apes which told how the age of super intelligent apes come to dominate the earth. It was awesome! Dark, moody and exciting as hell. I still remember Caesar's epic speech of revolution and the downfall of man, it was just chilling for me. And though the other movies were cheesy and odd they still hold a small part of heart.
Then they remade the original...with Mark Walberg! Now I'm not against all remakes and I'm not saying that Planet of the Apes is some untouchable masterpiece but question "why?" still rings in my ear and also it just was not as good as the original.
And now we have a reboot of the series, a remake of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes and a prequel to the Original movie in the form of the awkwardly titled Rise of the Planet of the Apes. And to be honest I liked it.
The movies details the creation of intelligent apes and the eventual dying out of mankind, which I thought was very well executed, but unlike the action heavy trailers and tv spots, the movie is more a character piece centered around Scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) and the enhanced Ape, Caesar (motion captured by Andy Serkis of Gollumn fame), their relationship and growth.
Now there be a few spoilers past here but I nothing that will ruin your enjoyment of the film but maybe push you over the fence towards seeing it but its fair that I warned you.
Okay so James Franco plays a scientist trying to develop of cure for Alzheimer's which his dad (John Lithgow) has in testing the formula he takes home a baby apes and studies its development, along with unsupervisingly testing on his father and findign that both are experience not only average intelligence but soon beyond average intelligence. Now I have no problem with Franco, he's a cool dude and pretty good actor and he does give a pretty good performance showing not mad scientist but one that's obsessed and personally motivated and he does a great job at conveying his growing obsession in the way he acts and speaks which is pretty subtle and I have to give props...(doesn't mean I forgive him for the NEWGOBLIN in SPIDERMAN3)
The rest of the human cast are decent but underdeveloped. Freida Pinto as Caorline didn't really have much to do as a love interest but it was good that the movie kept its priorities straight in keeping the action on Caesar and Franco. John Lithgow as Charles the father of Franco's character who suffers from Alzheimer's has a subtle charm to him that makes you really feel for him and his plight and shows a great sense of expression in his emotions which helps build relationships with the other characters but his portrayal of Alzhemier's may have been a tad bit over the top, I have no relatives who have such disorders and have no clear basis only my opinion but in no way does it effect his performance in the film.
David Oyelowo place greasy corporate big shot Jacobs who in the end is sort of the films antagonist. Its his pushing to use Will's Alzheimers cure for profit more than actually helping people and though the conditions leading to his death were needlessly complicated, some satisfaction can be gleamed from his downfall. Tom Felton (of Draco Malfoy fame) plays Dodge Landon an abusive guardsman at a ape shelter that Caesar ends up in. He proves his chops at playing an unlikeable D!$2 but it is enjoyable to say the least seeing some so needlessly cruel and his comeuppance felt very satisfying.
But the real star of the movie is Andy Serkis as Caesar. First off yes the CG is very visible but I can look past that, if the movie has a good story and characters (cough Avatar cough sucks). All joking aside Serkis is star of the film in both acting and in terms of the story. Caesar's growth and development feel authentic and real watch as he grows from child to reluctant leader of a revolution. Most of the first half of the film building the relationship between him and Franco which makes things become much more interesting when the proverbial poop hits the fan. His action and mannerisms are human in understanding but ape in movement giving the character outwardly of putting and symbolic of deconstructionism from both the world of ape and man. Serkis's performance is entrancing and the story arc with Caesar is perfectly paced leading to genuine care, sympathy and empathy with the ape. If anything come for that performance.
But we all know why ya'll came here...epic monkey battle. I will say that its is suitably awesome. the mass movements of the apes is both awesome and terrifying if you try to imagine for your'self seeing it in real life. The fight is the end of the movie but feels climactic and is a hell of alot of fun. But one moment bares recounting. The humans bring in a helicopter with a machine gun and begins to scatter the apes. A gorilla, who to this point has acted as Caesar's bodyguard, enforcer since being put in an ape shelter, charges the helicopter, taking the bullets and then lunges at the copter taking it down at the cost of his own life. A intelligent gorilla makes a heroic sacrifice to give his ape army a chance to cross the Golden Gate Bridge by taking down a helicopter with its bare hands! Best Sentence Ever!
For those looking for mythology gags and continuity nods to the original films will not be disappointed with made plain to see and just as many only true fans would really understand.
Overall I give Rise of the Planet of the Apes a 4 out of 5. A fun adventure with easily the best mo-cap performance of the new decade. See you in Brighter Days!
And this is the Rise of the Planet of the Apes Review...
Now I loved the Planet of the Apes films when I was little. It was first twist ending and that had big impact on me when I was little. The first is still a classic but the subsequent sequels though interesting were not as good as their progenitor, but of them my favorite was Conquest of the Planet of the Apes which told how the age of super intelligent apes come to dominate the earth. It was awesome! Dark, moody and exciting as hell. I still remember Caesar's epic speech of revolution and the downfall of man, it was just chilling for me. And though the other movies were cheesy and odd they still hold a small part of heart.
Then they remade the original...with Mark Walberg! Now I'm not against all remakes and I'm not saying that Planet of the Apes is some untouchable masterpiece but question "why?" still rings in my ear and also it just was not as good as the original.
And now we have a reboot of the series, a remake of Conquest of the Planet of the Apes and a prequel to the Original movie in the form of the awkwardly titled Rise of the Planet of the Apes. And to be honest I liked it.
The movies details the creation of intelligent apes and the eventual dying out of mankind, which I thought was very well executed, but unlike the action heavy trailers and tv spots, the movie is more a character piece centered around Scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) and the enhanced Ape, Caesar (motion captured by Andy Serkis of Gollumn fame), their relationship and growth.
Now there be a few spoilers past here but I nothing that will ruin your enjoyment of the film but maybe push you over the fence towards seeing it but its fair that I warned you.
Okay so James Franco plays a scientist trying to develop of cure for Alzheimer's which his dad (John Lithgow) has in testing the formula he takes home a baby apes and studies its development, along with unsupervisingly testing on his father and findign that both are experience not only average intelligence but soon beyond average intelligence. Now I have no problem with Franco, he's a cool dude and pretty good actor and he does give a pretty good performance showing not mad scientist but one that's obsessed and personally motivated and he does a great job at conveying his growing obsession in the way he acts and speaks which is pretty subtle and I have to give props...(doesn't mean I forgive him for the NEWGOBLIN in SPIDERMAN3)
The rest of the human cast are decent but underdeveloped. Freida Pinto as Caorline didn't really have much to do as a love interest but it was good that the movie kept its priorities straight in keeping the action on Caesar and Franco. John Lithgow as Charles the father of Franco's character who suffers from Alzheimer's has a subtle charm to him that makes you really feel for him and his plight and shows a great sense of expression in his emotions which helps build relationships with the other characters but his portrayal of Alzhemier's may have been a tad bit over the top, I have no relatives who have such disorders and have no clear basis only my opinion but in no way does it effect his performance in the film.
David Oyelowo place greasy corporate big shot Jacobs who in the end is sort of the films antagonist. Its his pushing to use Will's Alzheimers cure for profit more than actually helping people and though the conditions leading to his death were needlessly complicated, some satisfaction can be gleamed from his downfall. Tom Felton (of Draco Malfoy fame) plays Dodge Landon an abusive guardsman at a ape shelter that Caesar ends up in. He proves his chops at playing an unlikeable D!$2 but it is enjoyable to say the least seeing some so needlessly cruel and his comeuppance felt very satisfying.
But the real star of the movie is Andy Serkis as Caesar. First off yes the CG is very visible but I can look past that, if the movie has a good story and characters (cough Avatar cough sucks). All joking aside Serkis is star of the film in both acting and in terms of the story. Caesar's growth and development feel authentic and real watch as he grows from child to reluctant leader of a revolution. Most of the first half of the film building the relationship between him and Franco which makes things become much more interesting when the proverbial poop hits the fan. His action and mannerisms are human in understanding but ape in movement giving the character outwardly of putting and symbolic of deconstructionism from both the world of ape and man. Serkis's performance is entrancing and the story arc with Caesar is perfectly paced leading to genuine care, sympathy and empathy with the ape. If anything come for that performance.
But we all know why ya'll came here...epic monkey battle. I will say that its is suitably awesome. the mass movements of the apes is both awesome and terrifying if you try to imagine for your'self seeing it in real life. The fight is the end of the movie but feels climactic and is a hell of alot of fun. But one moment bares recounting. The humans bring in a helicopter with a machine gun and begins to scatter the apes. A gorilla, who to this point has acted as Caesar's bodyguard, enforcer since being put in an ape shelter, charges the helicopter, taking the bullets and then lunges at the copter taking it down at the cost of his own life. A intelligent gorilla makes a heroic sacrifice to give his ape army a chance to cross the Golden Gate Bridge by taking down a helicopter with its bare hands! Best Sentence Ever!
For those looking for mythology gags and continuity nods to the original films will not be disappointed with made plain to see and just as many only true fans would really understand.
Overall I give Rise of the Planet of the Apes a 4 out of 5. A fun adventure with easily the best mo-cap performance of the new decade. See you in Brighter Days!
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