Review: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

• Acting
• Writing
• Directing
• Production Values
• Enjoyment

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is so much better than I expected, thanks largely to its star, Caesar and the brilliance behind that CGI creation, actor Andy Serkis and the special effects wizards of Weta.  Every so often a film comes along that accomplishes something with its special effects that 5 years earlier, would have been impossible.  In 2001, Weta did that with Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, in which Andy Serkis and the Weta team brought life to Gollum, a fully realized CGI creature, given life by motion capture performance and gifted animators.  In 2009, Weta did it again with Avatar.  And now, in 2011, they do it again.

The film would not work if Caesar did not seem both real and if Caesar’s thoughts and emotions were not communicated via his eyes, facial expressions, and body language.  Andy Serkis captures the motions of a chimp, so well.  There is none of the awkwardness that CGI figures used to have.  The big climax on the Golden Gate bridge is a wonder to behold, as dozens of apes, all distinct and realistic wreak havoc.

James Franco plays a scientist developing a medication to cure Alzheimers, a disease that has stricken his father (played by John Lithgow).  The medication is a viral gene therapy, and has reached the point of animal testing.  The medication has unforeseen effects on the primates and when Caesar is born, he inherits the affected genes from his mother and exhibits far more intelligence than expected in an ape.  A violent incident results in Caesar being sent to a primate shelter, where he begins the revolution that will lead to the rise of the apes and the fall of man.

The beautiful Freida Pinto plays Franco’s girlfriend, a veterinarian and Brian Cox plays the owner of the primate shelter.

The film is billed as a prequel to the 1968 classic that starred Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowell and is structured in such a way that it can work.  Throughout this new film are easter eggs that tie into the original, including background mentions of lost astronauts.  Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a summer popcorn movie, but like the original it is also a cautionary tale, like most good science fiction.  The rise of the apes and the fall of man is all triggered by a single act, by a well intentioned but arrogant man.

I recommend giving this movie a viewing, you damn dirty apes.