Review of Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) by Kyle R — 22 May 2017

This movie is what Tim Burton's 2001 'Planet of the Apes' should have been. This movie's visually stunning, it has great action, great characters and is a pure delight to watch. So many films were improved here over the originals, and not just in the effects department. Andy Serkis alone deserved to be nominated for an Oscar with his absolutely mesmerising performance as Caesar and really brings the character to life. The drama is excellent, the action is truly spectacular and is just so enjoyable to watch. If you're fans of the original movie, or if you are a newcomer coming in for a good time, I guarantee you will not be disappointed, or at least you will be entertained.

This movie could have had a bland, generic story that was just an absurd string of events that lead to apes rising up. That's what it COULD have been. It wasn't. The story in this movie is so well done, it makes you feel and understand these characters and makes you understand their pain and loss. It's a story about the feeling of betrayal and what that can make you do. It carries drama and fun as well as possessing themes of betrayal and being a father all while being a story about intelligent apes! I congratulate the writers because they made this movie so much more than what it should have been. Combine that with a story that leads you completely satisfied, yet also craving more and ends on a note that can be thoroughly explored.

As far as acting is concerned, there is one clear standout; Andy Serkis. It genuinely upsets me that this guy hasn't been nominated for an Oscar yet because his performance as Caesar is one of the best motion capture performances I've ever seen in my life. At points, he makes an ape convey more emotion that some of the real people in this movie and that is true skill. If you thought he was great as Gollum, just wait for this mesmerising testament to his skill. I also adore Caesar's arc throughout this movie. Without spoilers, he changes so much throughout yet also so little. He retains all his emotion but also loses it simultaneously. This is obviously credit to the Serkis' performance but I also must yet again congratulate the writers who actually tried to make a great narrative and build genuine characters that they could exploit. They could have had 1D characters and just provided a really generic and bland story but they don't. They actually tried and I thank them for that. Both Serkis and the writing make Caesar one of the highlights in this movie. Aside from him, however, none of the other actors stood out aside from one: James Franco. And not for a good reason. I don't like James Franco at the best of times and I really don't see the appeal of him as an actor. That is no different for me here. He struggles to show humanity and emotion to the point were he's beaten on acting skill by a guy in a mo-cap suit. Freido Pinto, John Lithgow and Tom Felton were all passable in their performances but they merely served as pawns in the Serkis/Franco game of either making this movie great or awful.

The cinematography in this movie is truly gorgeous and looks stunning. The effects in this movie range from 'so good they're realistic' to 'The Star Wars Prequels'. Okay so maybe that's a stretch, but the point I'm making is some of there are absolutely spectacular whereas others were really lacklustre. Another thing I adored which I wouldn't usually say stood out was the set design in the movie. Sets like the Ape Enclosure or even Caesar's room all looked genuinely amazing and looked like they had actual thought and effort put into them.

The action in this movie is so fun and interesting and so unique, it's easily one of this movies MANY strengths. On top of that, it's just so fun. I had a wide grin on my face throughout the entire last half of this movie. It was so entertaining and is easily one of the best movie for just pure entertainment value in recent memory.

In Conclusion, I can wholeheartedly recommend this movie and it is a great time for both newcomers and longtime fans of the series. Definitely Recommended.

8/10.