12 July, 2014
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Title: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Director: Matt Reeves
Starring: Jason Clarke, Andy Serkis, Keri Russell
Runtime: 2 hrs 10 mins
What It Is: 8 years after the Simian Flue out break the human race is on the edge of extinction. Living on the outskirts of a city he once called home is Caesar (Serkis) our gifted, fearless, and nobel leader of the genetically modified apes from the first film Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Now instead of simply surviving these apes are thriving in the shadow of a formerly great city. Along with Caesar is his right hand man Kubo (Toby Kebbell). On the flipside you have Malcolm (Jason Clarke) and his family living in a survivor compound for those who survived the Simian Flu outbreak. As the humans realize they are almost out of power, and their only hope lies just shy of the apes new habitat. To get what they want humanity may have to rely a bit more then it’d like on it’s prime ape brethren.
What We Think: This is not just the best film of the summer, or an exciting blockbuster it’s the best film of the year, and I’m not going all hyperbolic with this! From the stunning visual effects and jaw dropping use of motion capture it encapsulates the very essence of what truly makes cinema the most influential medium. It’s beautiful, powerful film-making, and though it’s premise may seem silly to the uninformed what unfolds within these 140 minutes is a dialogue as contemporary as the techniques used to film it. One complaint I’ve heard thrown at this film is it’s lack of substance within it’s human characters, but I’ll point out no one ever complains in a film about human the performance of the ape. Likewise here the film is the Apes to take over, and that they do.
Our Grade: A+, When I look at the slate of films coming up I think this film has massive potential to make cash for Fox. It is as good as you would’ve hoped it’d be as a follow-up to Rise. Try not crying several times in this film, I came really close! However I’m a hollow unemotional shell of a man! It’s emotional core is not bereft, and is instead filled to the brim with love. From it’s film makers, it’s performers (even those in roller balls, and Under Armor) all the way down to it’s animators, and third unit directors. The war has begun, and I look forward to seeing what Reeves will do with this franchise next!
What do you guys think of the film? Let us know in the comments below! Haven’t seen it? No excuse you can buy tickets right underneath the review so do it! Go see this film, show Hollywood we care about seeing more Apes….on horses!
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Tags: Andy Serkisbest of 2014 best picture caesar dawn of the planet of the apes filmsnobreviews gary oldman jason clarke movie review
Category: Reviews
5 Replies to “Review: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”
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This is one of the best summer blockbuster films, as you stated above. Aside from all the exciting action scenes (important for summer blockbuster), the movie has an emotion core which resonates. Additionally, the film cleverly connects to Shakespeare’s Julius Cesar. The main ape is named Cesar, and he is betrayed by one of his own, just like Julius Cesar. Of course, the prose is nowhere near Shakespeare, but the visually it may approach his art. What is awesome about the film is that we understand the stakes and motivation of all. We understand, for example, Koba’s rage toward humans and honestly can’t much fault his perspective. The war against animals humans have engaged in forever comes to a head here, and it could not be more exciting and frankly depressing. I don’t mean that the film is a bummer, but the enviably of the war makes sense. Top notch film. See it now and in 3D.
That’s a great connection that I think a majority of the general movie going audience will miss. I also think your statement in regards to Koba are both valid and spot on. Good assessments! I don’t think 3D is a huge difference maker as I’ve seen it in standard and 3D format, however everyone SHOULD see the film now…no seriously RIGHT NOW!
Nice review. A smart and riveting film from start to finish.
Thank you Dan appreciate your input! Hope you’ll share our page and social media presence with your friends!