We all know the law of diminishing sequels; its been talked about by moviegoers and in movies for years. So when you have a sequel to a reboot of a franchise approaching 50 old, the expectations can’t be that high, can they? Well, like most rules, there’s the odd exception that comes along to defy expectation and re-energize the Hollywood formula.
Opening with a brief back-story that explains all that has taken place since Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes, we are once again introduced to Caesar and his troupe of intelligent simians. Eking out an existence in the forest, they have managed to form a primitive, tribal society where strength and intelligence are respected and some basic hosuekeeping rules make sure balance is maintained.
Humankind has fared far worse in the years that have passed. The same virus that gave Caesar and Co. their smarts has done untold damage to the world of man and what survivors there are are scattered across the globe with very little means to support themselves. A chance encounter in the forest with some apes, however, changes everything.
Director Matt Reeves has crafted a mature and complex blockbuster; thrilling and thought provoking in equal measure. For all the action and suspense, there’s a superbly written political narrative driving the film. The parallels between both species and how they’ve evolved their respective groups is fascinating to behold because of the marvellous characters that litter the movie.
The humans play second fiddle to their CGI counterparts and even though leading man Jason Clarke does a stellar job as a man whose loyalty is being torn in two directions as he tries to broker peace between the groups, it’s the apes that steal the show. Go-to guy for motion capture Andy Serkis as Caesar is not only captivating to watch but a showcase for how far the technology has advanced in recent years.
Caesar, Koba, Maurice, Blue Eyes and the rest of the apes are incredible in every regard. The emotions conveyed in their faces, their gestures, their interactions with the world and characters around them; Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is to believable and fully immersive CGI characters as Avatar was to 3D. It represents a significant leap forward in how a green-screen character can draw the audience in and serve as part of a story without distracting from it. As weird as it sounds, you may end up pinching yourself to remind you who you’re watching on screen isn’t actually there!
A deeply emotional and character driven movie, Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is that rare beast then; a sequel with brains as well as heart. The most intelligent and satisfying blockbuster of the year to date.
(Images courtesy Collider, 20th Century Fox)
