Dawn of the Planet of
the Apes
is set just over a decade after Rise of
the Planet of the Apes. In that movie, a scientist experimented with a cure
for Alzheimer’s on apes. The cure increased
the intelligence of the apes. The apes eventually escaped and fled into the
forests near San Francisco. The Alzheimer’s cure also caused a virus that wiped
out most of humanity.
the Apes
is set just over a decade after Rise of
the Planet of the Apes. In that movie, a scientist experimented with a cure
for Alzheimer’s on apes. The cure increased
the intelligence of the apes. The apes eventually escaped and fled into the
forests near San Francisco. The Alzheimer’s cure also caused a virus that wiped
out most of humanity.
Dawn of the Planet of
Apes
returns to the ape’s forest refuge, where they have created their own primitive
society. They are lead by Caesar, an ape raised by the scientist who created
the Alzheimer’s drug. The apes haven’t seen humans for a few years and suspect
that they are all be dead. But they aren’t.
Apes
returns to the ape’s forest refuge, where they have created their own primitive
society. They are lead by Caesar, an ape raised by the scientist who created
the Alzheimer’s drug. The apes haven’t seen humans for a few years and suspect
that they are all be dead. But they aren’t.
A
group of human survivors lives in San Francisco, and they are running out of
fuel. They send a team into the forest to attempt to restart a hydro-electric
generator. Their team encounters the apes, fear causes misunderstandings and
violence ensues.
group of human survivors lives in San Francisco, and they are running out of
fuel. They send a team into the forest to attempt to restart a hydro-electric
generator. Their team encounters the apes, fear causes misunderstandings and
violence ensues.
A
committee of four writers wrote the film. They include the husband and wife
team Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa who both also wrote Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The other two writers were Mark
Bomback who wrote The Wolverine and
the remake of Total Recall, and Scott
Z. Burns who wrote Contagion. So the writers have a decent
science-fiction pedigree. Matt Reeves directed. Among other films, he also
directed Cloverfield.
committee of four writers wrote the film. They include the husband and wife
team Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa who both also wrote Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The other two writers were Mark
Bomback who wrote The Wolverine and
the remake of Total Recall, and Scott
Z. Burns who wrote Contagion. So the writers have a decent
science-fiction pedigree. Matt Reeves directed. Among other films, he also
directed Cloverfield.
Andy
Serkis returns in the role of the ape Caesar that he played in the Rise of the Planet of the Apes. His
performance and excellent CGI create a believably proud and caring character.
Serkis returns in the role of the ape Caesar that he played in the Rise of the Planet of the Apes. His
performance and excellent CGI create a believably proud and caring character.
Australian
Jason Clarke plays Malcolm, a thinking man of action who leads the humans attempting
to restart the hydro-electric generator. This appears to be Clarke’s first lead
role in a movie. Previously he was the male CIA interrogator in Zero Dark Thirty. He also has appeared in
a bunch of television shows including Farscape.
Jason Clarke plays Malcolm, a thinking man of action who leads the humans attempting
to restart the hydro-electric generator. This appears to be Clarke’s first lead
role in a movie. Previously he was the male CIA interrogator in Zero Dark Thirty. He also has appeared in
a bunch of television shows including Farscape.
Gary
Oldman makes an appearance as the thoughtful, but pragmatic, leader of the
human survivors.
Oldman makes an appearance as the thoughtful, but pragmatic, leader of the
human survivors.
The
film looks magnificent in 2D. The apes look and sound real, especially when
they talk. Their pronunciations of words are more like grunts, unlikely the
English accented Roddy McDowall in the original Planet of the Apes.
film looks magnificent in 2D. The apes look and sound real, especially when
they talk. Their pronunciations of words are more like grunts, unlikely the
English accented Roddy McDowall in the original Planet of the Apes.
The
apes aren’t into democracy, Caesar leads them like the chief of a primitive
tribe of humans. In fact, very little imagination is required to substitute
American Indians for the apes and turn the movie into a film about
colonisation. Caesar could easily have been an Indian chief raised by white
settlers.
apes aren’t into democracy, Caesar leads them like the chief of a primitive
tribe of humans. In fact, very little imagination is required to substitute
American Indians for the apes and turn the movie into a film about
colonisation. Caesar could easily have been an Indian chief raised by white
settlers.
Dawn of the Planet of
the Apes
does not have the excitement of new ideas that Rise of the Planet of the Apes had. That film was all about intelligence. It explored ideas around the
battle to prevent brain diseases. And it explored what might happen if animal
intelligence is increased to something like human intelligence.
the Apes
does not have the excitement of new ideas that Rise of the Planet of the Apes had. That film was all about intelligence. It explored ideas around the
battle to prevent brain diseases. And it explored what might happen if animal
intelligence is increased to something like human intelligence.
Dawn of the Planet of
Apes
is a much simpler film about fear of the other, a theme that occurs regularly
in movies. The movie’s tension, pace and action will suck most viewers into its
story. It is just a pity that it did not attempt to explore a few more ideas. Still
it is an exciting film to watch.
Apes
is a much simpler film about fear of the other, a theme that occurs regularly
in movies. The movie’s tension, pace and action will suck most viewers into its
story. It is just a pity that it did not attempt to explore a few more ideas. Still
it is an exciting film to watch.
Dawn of the Planet of
the Apes
keeps the Planet of the Apes’ mythology going. It is very easy to imagine how
the apes in this movie evolve to the apes and civilisation in the original Planet of the Apes. So unless other
ideas and themes emerge to explore, the franchise should be given a rest.
the Apes
keeps the Planet of the Apes’ mythology going. It is very easy to imagine how
the apes in this movie evolve to the apes and civilisation in the original Planet of the Apes. So unless other
ideas and themes emerge to explore, the franchise should be given a rest.
In
the Planet of the Apes lexicon, Dawn of
the Planet of the Apes would come in third, behind the original Planet of the Apes and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. These
movies are way ahead of the rest, especially the Tim Burton directed turkey.
the Planet of the Apes lexicon, Dawn of
the Planet of the Apes would come in third, behind the original Planet of the Apes and Rise of the Planet of the Apes. These
movies are way ahead of the rest, especially the Tim Burton directed turkey.
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Yet to see this, so in the spirit of avoiding all reviews, I will read yours after as I prefer to go in completely cold, spoilers or not.
I'm sure its spot on though, as usual.
No real spoilers in it.
Nice review Graham. A terrific summer blockbuster that has plenty of excitement, as well as drama to make things a whole lot better.
thanks Dan
*SPOILERS*
I finally got to see this last night. I thought it was terrific. It was a very emotional ride, with a lot going on, not so much story wise perhaps as you say, yet the themes of parenthood and trust were prominent, as was the underlying thread throughout that almost all the characters had good intentions and believed in what they were doing. I thought it particularly pertinent as to what's happening today in Ukraine and Gaza. Emotions and intentions are complex and move too fast for us to control situations. Fear and insecurity take over.
There was also a strong anti-gun message, at least, that was my take on it. Guns cause all of the initial problems. This happens several times.
My only fault is that the humans need for power was a bit lame. They were prepared to go to war, because ' there arent many of us left.' Really? What about alternative techonolgies? What about the food and water situations? Would have thought that would have been more pressing.
I love the original series and thought the third film was pretty good too, Escape. Otherwise I agree with your assessment.
There's already another sequel lined up for 2016.
Anthony, They should have moved out into the country to grow food and found somewhere with solar power. If they had read "The World Without Us" by Alan Wiesman, they would have realised that decaying cities are not the best place to live – especailly ones with nuclear power stations.
Yes, it seemed a bit silly to me in this age to be so city bound. Would have been nice if they had given a bit more justification for city living. A shame, because it was (mostly) quite excellent.
*They mostly come at night. Mostly*