Review of Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) by Daniel W — 29 May 2017

WHAT I LIKED: 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' really is everything that a summer blockbuster should be - fun, interesting, but mostly down-right engaging. Yes, what really makes this film the success it truly is is its characters; each of whom hook you in the whole experience and bring you into the big, bold story in a more touching and considered way. This breathes through the delicate human character writing and performances, as well as through the incredible motion capture work and statements from Caesar himself, and all in all that elevates the entire picture beyond other blockbusters in its own right.

The thing is though, that stuff definitely isn't a mask for ignorance either, as those character beats serve a story that certainly has some thematic grounding and interesting ideas to play with. Play with them it does too, and such it becomes a blockbuster that recognises its need for enjoyment and suspension of disbelief arguably even more than it does its own intelligence...

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE: ...which does leave one thinking that it could have delved a little deeper below the surface, especially considering how much the plot sags in places.

VERDICT: An engaging and enjoyable blockbuster; 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' is a film that's far smarter than it lets on.