Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

2011 saw the release of a prequel to the original 1968 film Planet of the Apes, aptly titled Rise of the Planet of the Apes. This reviewer went into that film highly skeptical of what I would find, and was not unsurprised when I found myself not hating it. Three years later, and we now have as sequel to that prequel, which actually still exists as a prequel to the 1968 film, only now slightly less so. Set 10 years after the events of Rise, Dawn finds central ape character Caesar, portrayed by Andy Serkis (more on Serkis later) leading a rag-tag group of highly evolved apes into a ape-topia (my first ape pun!). When a band of human survivors of a wold-wide killer virus stumble upon the chimp-ciety (second), hilarity ensues. Will the two groups band together and find their simian-arities (third!!), or will war fester. I'd say more, but I don't want to go off on a oranga-tangent (FOURTH!)

The Good: There is so much to enjoy in Dawn that I'm finding it difficult to begin. The single best aspect of this movie is derived from a man we actually never see in the flesh. Andy Serkis is a man whose influence on film during the past decade will be felt for...ever. In film history books, Serkis will have his own chapter, he is that important. Yet, you may have never seen his face. Through the ever-evolving technology of motion capture, this man is Dawn's central character, Caesar. Serkis brings a level of nuisance, finesse and depth to the Mo-Cap art form that whatever he does, that becomes the new standard. Nobody can do what Serkis does, time and time again. Utilizing vocal techniques, facial control, and full body movement Mo-Cap processes, Serkis brings a chimp character to life in a way that truly connects you to a CGI creation. Rounding out the formidable cast is the formidable Jason Clarke, Keri Russell and my personal actor man crush, Gary Oldman. Clarke is quickly making a name for himself as a fantastic actor. In combination with Oldman, they certainly don't monkey around (boo me, that was terrible!). As for the story elements, we are finally treated to the real reason apes became the dominant species in the film series, and it actually makes sense! How director Matt Reeves takes an overarching story of apes outlasting humans and makes it not only plausible, but totally compelling. The dynamic interplay between ape-ape, ape-human, and human-human interaction is masterfully weaved in such a way as to create a beautiful character landscape upon which to tell this story. Of course, to tell this story, you must also make it look as real as possible. When half of your cast are CG apes, that can be a challenge. However, Weta Digital is always up to this task, and is on the forefront of making this technology as photo-realistic as possible. To them, I say bravo. Oh! One moooore thing (a nod to all you Jackie Chan Adventures fans out there), if you enjoy, speak or are learning sign language, like this reviewer, then you also might appreciate the level to which the apes communicate with each other through the use of this language.

The Bad: Well, what can I say here? As good as Weta's work is, it's not 100%, 100% of the time. This is super nit picky, but occasionally a viewer can be taken out of a moment by something that doesn't look real. It's our job as moviegoers to suspend reality and disbelief. We aren't perfect either. Digital production houses make this job easier, but we are still discovering what this technology is truly capable of. Every year we progress to something better, and it is an amazing time for this kind of filmmaking, but there's still progress that must be made. One other aspect that may be controversial is the open-ended nature of the film. How it ends lends itself to further stories. When combined with subsequent sequels, cool! Right now? I want more. That's not even necessarily a bad thing, it's not for me, but there may be some viewers that want a more finished story. Not I. I like the ending, what whatever. Stop reading if you hate me for it, I dare you!! (Please don't go, I need readers!!!!)

The Verdict: Go see Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. You will not regret any money you spend to enjoy this film. It goes a long way to take the taste of Transformers: Age of Extinction out of your mouth. See it. Now. Are you seeing it yet? Do you want another pun? Better hurry, while you're in your prime-mate! You chimply should go see it now. You wouldn't want me to burst your ba-boon and tell you the ending would you? Seriously go now.

The Grade: A:  Chimptastic