DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (“Ape” out of 10) – Directed by Matt Reeves; Written by Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Mark Bomback; Starring Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smith-McPhee, Enrique Murciano, Kirk Acevedo and dozens of lifelike, amazingly-rendered CG apes from Weta Studios. Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief strong language. In wide release July 11, 2014: 130 minutes.
Our robots went a little ape over this film, and because everyone wants to weigh in, we wanted to do this review roundtable style. Let’s keep the spoilers minor, the language PG-13, and remember the first law: Ape shall not kill Ape (but robot may destroy robot). Let’s go!
Official synopsis from Fox: A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth’s dominant species.
Citizen-Bot: I’m just blown away by this film. I thought it was going to be next to impossible to top “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” But this is “The Godfather, Part II” of Apes movies. Even down to a scene in the third act of the film that evoked Michael Corleone looking after Don Vito in the hospital, finally understanding his place in the world and what he must do to protect his family.
Vagabond Prime: I won’t be the first to say it, but it’s “the Empire Strikes Back” for the Apes franchise. Really interesting dynamics at play here, especially when the film starts to explore the dynamics between family and community.
Swank-mo-tron: And to find out Caesar was Gary Oldman’s father at the end… wow…
The Lone Gun-Bot: You might think this movie was entertaining, but I found it a very pretty wrapping on standard liberal hippie crap. I don’t know how they trained those monkeys to talk, but the obvious, smash you over the head message here is that “progress is bad, people are bad, and only nature is good.” Give me a break.
Citizen-Bot: Give ME a break with these “criticisms.” Seriously–everyone has upped their game in this film. The effects and Andy Serkis’ performance are even more polished and lifelike, if that’s possible.
The Lone Gun-Bot: What? Those weren’t real apes? Now you’re going to tell me that the ice-caps are really melting!
Vagabond Prime: I’m really glad to see Serkis got top billing in the credits, he really deserves it! We’re not just talking about strong motion capture for the apes; they actually carry the movie, and most of the dialogue as well. Not to mention that most of the communication between the apes is sign language!
The Lone Gun-Bot: Typical artsy-fartsy making me read my damned movie! I just wanted to watch monkeys riding horses and chasing people. Good, strong pro-gun message, like in the original. Chuck Heston was made president of the NRA just based off his performance in that movie! This piece of drivel made anyone with a gun look like a lunatic!
Vagabond Prime: You are clearly delusional.
Almighty Femme-puter: I’ll have some of what Lone Gun-Bot is smoking. It sounds like a trip. Regardless, I want to bring up something important. This film does nothing but propagate the male ape patriarchy. It’s all about male ape conflict as Ceasar and Koba battle for control and then go to war with Gary Oldman. Women would have worked out these problems without fighting. But instead? The women apes are told to go hide with the children. These damn dirty apes can’t even pass the ape Bechdel test. If the apes are to inherit the earth, they’re far worse than we are.
Vagabond Prime: True, actually. The only real female ape was Caesar’s mate Cornelia, and she had a bit of a Damsel in Distress. Keri Russell’s character is pretty “generic doctor-y”, but she does serve a purpose. Minor quibble, though.
Citizen-Bot: Leigh, I think Femmeputer is trolling, though that is as much a commentary on most movies not having strong female leads regardless. But feminist critiques aside, what I really appreciated was the plot. Behind all the action sequences, this was a political drama. Yes, it’s House of Cards with damn dirty apes. The power play between Caesar and Koba is the real story in this film. (It’s interesting that “Koba” was the alias used by Stalin in the early Communist Party and Russian Revolution– Koba’s willingness to use violence, fear, war, and enforcing ape discipline is certainly Stalinesque.)
The Lone Gun-Bot: There you go, bringing Stalin into it.
Citizen-Bot: And as good and nuanced as Serkis was as Caesar, Toby Kebbell was maybe even better as Koba. It makes me excited to see him play Dr. Doom in Josh Trank’s Fantastic Four reboot.
Vagabond Prime: Oh, wow! He’s playing Doom? He’s going to be great! Koba is the perfect foil for Caesar. Everything he does is perfectly justified, from a certain point of view. He was tortured, experimented on, and abused horribly by Draco Malfoy in the first movie. He has nothing but hate for humans, and he is terrifyingly focused on achieving his goals! There is a part in the movie where he puts certain elements of the original films in play!
Citizen-Bot: I think Koba has my favorite line in the movie: “Human– work.” It’s powerful. And makes him completely justified. The same way Gary Oldman feels justified. It’s so tightly put together.
The Lone Gun-Bot: You telling me a bunch of monkeys can take out a well-armed militia?
Vagabond Prime: Koba. Dual Wielding. Horseback. Shut your mouth now.
Citizen-Bot: Duel-wielding apes. And. . .that 360 degree rotating tank shot. . .wow. Just wow. The artistry of that sold me. It’s like the tracking shot in Goodfellas. The way it looked and felt just was so engaging as a member of the audience.
Vagabond Prime: Also? I think we can safely say the Uncanny Valley is safely gone and retired. There are scenes where you really, no matter how hard you try not to, believe whole heartedly everything that is on screen. It’s that good.
Citizen-Bot: So, I saw this Tuesday night and we saw the Guardians of the Galaxy footage the night before. As good and fun as that was, I was still watching a cartoon raccoon and tree monster. They weren’t “real” in the sense that these apes were. Maybe it’s how lifelike and chimp-like the motion capture work was and because we have real life chimps as a reference point. Regardless, it’s amazing. And those eyes. The film opens and closes with close-ups of Caesar’s eyes. They look so amazing. And if your heart doesn’t melt with a little infant chimp climbing all over Keri Russell, I have to question whether or not you have a soul.
Final thoughts and ratings:
Citizen-Bot: 9 out of 10. Just spectacular. Will probably go see it again this weekend with Mrs. Citizen-Bot. Either that or Begin Again. Because Apes, Begin Again, and Cap 2 are all vying for my favorite movie of the year so far.
Vagabond Prime: 9 out of 10. Excellent movie, excellent commentary on society, and flat out great film making.
The Lone Gun-Bot: 3 out of 10. Liberal poppycock, gave it 2 extra stars for how real them fake monkies looked.
Almighty Femmeputer: 2 out of 10. For the two female characters and continuation of the male ape patriarchy. Hobby Lobby!
Swank-mo-tron: 8.5 out of 10. This film was a Shakespearean tragedy played out among apes and men. What separates us from the animals? Or the animals from us? A fascinating thought experiment played beautifully on film as a fitting sequel to “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.”
Grimlock: Me, Grimlock mad I only get to review Transformers movies. Grimlock like apes, too. Apes powerful. Much better than stupid Michael Bay racist Transformers. 8 out of 10.
Note: Lone Gun-Bot and Almighty Femme-puter may or may not be actual people. They could be an example of Poe’s Law. So, keep that in mind. Grimlock, however, is completely real.