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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Daniel's Review
Just when you thought 2011’s ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ was a magnificent reboot to the classic film franchise of the ‘Planet of the Apes’, this sequel goes to infinity and beyond with enough action, enough heart and enough drama, for a truly excellent and well-crafted film experience.
The film is set ten years after the first film when the ALZ-113 virus sweeps the world and has now caused problems for humans, but the apes have their own life in the forest, where the first film ends, and now face a problem when humans discover their land.
The sequel is directed very well, even one shot of a 360 degrees shot on a tank was handled very well and was excellent, visually.
The writing is another element that delivers enough drama and emotionally invested dialogue that propels this film to an ultimate summer/winter movie going experience with many twists and turns. The film, at times, can be slow, and while the first act does take a while for the film to kick in to gear, it does so to build up character and story development.
Andy Serkis as Caesar is the film’s stand out as the acting was both brilliant and filled with honest emotion. Gary Oldman and Toby Kebbell also brought strong acting performances amongst the talented cast.
‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ is both a brilliant blockbuster film, but also a brilliant action and drama film that brings honest emotions with impressive visual effects.
I’ll admit, I shed a tear or two.
Score: 9.5/10
Published: July 14th, 2014
Details
Review
Release Date: July 9th, 2014
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Runtime: 130 mins
Rated: M
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Nic's Review
Blockbusters have been around since the dawn of history. Homer's epic Greek poems, 'The Iliad' and 'The Odyssey' were among the very first; giant spectacles that entranced the masses and inspired thought. Literature, theatre, film, television and even, more recently, video games have all had their blockbusters but the term itself, which only originated in the 1940s, has developed a negative association among critics and indie-lovers. Because while blockbusters continue to be spectacular, they do not always say much more. They no longer inspire thought like the classics of film and literature. 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' seeks to change that. Blockbuster shouldn't be a dirty word and director Matt Reeves knows it.
While continuing to offer the spectacle everyone expects, he highlights more complex issues that only science fiction can address.
What makes us human?
Why is an ape different?
How similar are we, really?
What many laud the original 'Planet of the Apes' for is its ability to blur the boundaries between man and animal. War, compassion, envy and hatred are all deemed very human traits but in both the original and 'Dawn' they are shown to be shared with our closest cousins. Eerily accurately too, considering all of the research that has been done on chimpanzees in the past half-century (for instance, we now know that some use sticks as spears and war with neighbouring tribes). What makes 'Dawn' unique is that its a modern blockbuster that is saying all of this, with special effects better than I've seen in any other film.
Andy Serkis' motion capture work as Caesar, is enthralling, and the character dynamics from apes to apes, apes to humans, and humans to humans is gripping drama at its best. Going in, I expected to side with the apes. As the film progressed I realised I rooted for the humans. Going out, I found I didn't side with either. Every character, ape and human, shows shades of good and bad. And the humans are important here because they remind us of what we are and act as a lens through which to compare the portrayal of the apes. There are differences between species, yes, but none more great than the differences between individuals. As a bonus, everything else about 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' enhances its storytelling.
Michael Giacchino's score is spine-chilling, as always. The acting, particularly from the motion capture performers, is outstanding. And the character arcs marry perfectly with the plot and the message. Caesar is, of course, the protagonist and star but the antagonist may surprise you.
What Reeves has fashioned here, is not only the best film of the year so far, but one of the best science fiction films of all time, to stand alongside the very original 'Apes'. Whoever said blockbusters couldn't be art could never have been more wrong than they are today.
'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' is 21st century Shakespeare.
Spectacle. Excitement. Depth. Inspiration. Enlightenment.
Score: 10/10