[Rating: Rock Fist Way Up]
Planet of the Apes is a remarkable series. It has spanned seven decades with multiple sequels, tv shows, parodies, a remake and a brand new way to explore the apes. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (directed by Wes Ball) is the fourth film in the reboot franchise, and first in a planned new trilogy. Set hundreds of years after Andy Serkis’ Caesar led his ape buddies to freedom, this movie explores a whole new generation of apes and their quest to remember what it means to be an ape and a power struggle for, you guessed it…freedom.
Set many generations after Caesar, humans have become feral beings as apes rule the world. Noa (Owen Teague) a young chimpanzee and his tribe live in their own paradise. He prepares for a coming of age ceremony involving collecting hawk eggs, what his tribe is known for. However, one night, his egg is cracked by a human or “echo” scavenging in the camp. In order to participate in the ceremony the following morning, Noa sets out to find a new egg. However, his plans are thwarted when Sylva (Eka Darville) and his troop of gorillas and bonobo’s attack Noa’s clan and abduct the clan, leaving Noa in a ruined home. He promises to get his clan back at all costs.
Along his journey, Noa meets with Raka (Peter Macon) an orangutan who is a wise follower of Caesar. He tells Noa that many apes have forgotten the true tellings of Caesar and that those around now are more zealots that true followers. Along the way, Noa and Raka encounter a human named Nova (Freya Allan) who join them on their quest. Without getting into too much spoiler territory, the group meet finally with Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), a bonobo tyrant who has stolen Noa’s clan for his own sinister plans. It’s ape vs. ape in a battle of good vs. evil.
I really liked this movie. I love a strong hero’s journey, and Noa’s is just that. We see him go from a nervous ape who wants to prove himself to his clan, to making sacrifices along the way in order to save his family. This reboot series matures in story with every new entry in the franchise. Nova herself (again without spoiler) is given a nice story to herself on the importance (or lack thereof) of humans living with apes in a time long forgotten. But the most important aspect to me is the effects. Since 2011s Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the apes have gotten almost near the point of looking and moving like the real deal. There are many times I forgot Raka wasn’t CGI or a famed Disney animatronic. It’s just so lifelike that I felt for what was a bunch of humans with the ping-pong balls acting on blue screen!
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is pure entertainment. It’s a long movie, but never takes time to waste and leaves audiences craving more. What I wanted more of, was a continuation to the story. I am excited this will no doubt do well and spawn more stories into this wild and unpredictable universe of apes.
Christian Ramos is a classic film fan, having had the dream to host Turner Classic Movies for years now. He also has a large amount of Oscar trivia in his head, remembers dressing as Groucho Marx one Halloween, and cherishes the moment Julianne Moore liked his tweet.
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