The Planet of the Apes franchise has gone from strength to strength over the last decade or so. What started as a novel soon turned into a classic sci-fi feature film adventure with arguably one of the biggest film twists of all time, one that no-one saw coming! Further sequels have expanded the world and the mythology of the original film but then back in 2011 we were taken back to the beginning of the story with Rise of the Planet of the Planets. Rise, as well as the subsequent sequels Dawn and War for the Planet of the Apes, transformed the franchise into an epic about humanity and morality. The franchise then appeared to have faded off into the sunset … until now.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is set centuries after War for the Planet of the Apes and thousands of years before the original Planet of the Apes. The themes and allegories of human destruction, equality and faith have all been retained in this latest instalment which further advances with the visual effects, storytelling and the ethics for the franchise. Filmmaker Wes Ball has crafted a world that looks vibrant, alive and realistic. The apes look better than ever and the emphasis is on character development and not on big action set-pieces. There is a lot of action but it is perfectly balanced with the drama as the film tackles some strong and heavy questions regarding morality and religion.
The heart of the film is Noa, a young ape who is part of a Bird Clan. Noa suffers a great tragedy near the start of the film and it thrusts him into a journey that involves enlightenment. His crusade involves a hunt for a tyrannical ape known as Proximus Caesar. Noa’s quest means he has to learn more about the world around him and just how big it truly is. It is Noa’s curiosity which ignites the story from start to finish. His interaction with other apes and a human character called Mae help to develop his perspective on the world. Owen Teague and Kevin Durand are so convincing with their performances as Noa and Proximus, and Freya Allen’s character Mae interacts with these animals in ways that feel a bit too real. You’re completely immersed within the film that you do forget these are all actors in motion-capture suits.
The visual wonder of the film is a sight to behold and is worth the price of the ticket alone, but the film explores so many questions about ape’s role in the world and how the consequences of humanity led to their own destruction. The film bridges the gap between timelines very well, especially if you’re a newcomer, as the story is laid out easily but narratively feels standalone. The film does talk about legacy and mythology in terms of Caesar’s actions in the previous films, but this is all conjecture as the film allows audiences to make their own opinions on who is right and who is wrong when it comes to the evolution of the planet. It all sounds heavy and a lot to take in but the film never feels it. Instead it sustains your engagement as it entertains you at the same time. Not a lot of films can achieve that.
★★★★★
5/5
Final Verdict:
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes has a lot to say with a lot of themes to explore. Fans of franchise and newcomers alike will gain something out of this experience, because that is what this film is - it is a cinematic experience. The visuals, the storytelling and direction are all harmonious with a huge shout out to the ape performers, Owen Teague and Kevin Durand among many others. The legacy this franchise is crafting is becoming something truly special and it is a film that will stay with you for a long time after the credits roll.
Thanks for reading today’s blog!
Alex Murray, the Head of Eyesight Productions
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