Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Movie Review

Here's a back-story for you: when I was visiting my grandparents on the East Coast these past couple of weeks, we went to see the new Planet of the Apes movie in the theater (which had really nice recliner seats, by the way). When it was over, my grandmom and I were so impressed with the film that we agreed to review it and then post each other's thoughts on our blogs. My grandmom has already posted her review on her site, mine will be making an appearance there next week, and vice-versa.

That being said, here is my review of the movie.

I am among the new generation of fans for the Planet of the Apes movies. I know that there were movies made in the 1960's, but I only ever saw one of them (I have no clue which one it was). Honestly, I didn't care for it. The story wasn't really interesting, the characters were kind of bland, and the ending was unsatisfactory. That, and being a teenager with today's technology, I am used to better animation and effects than they had back then. Perhaps that was also part of the reason I disliked the older movies.

However, when the 2011 version of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" was released, I really enjoyed it. I had no idea they would make a sequel, though in retrospect that was kind of obvious. "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is basically the origin story of Caesar and how he came to be the character we know today. The 2011 film focuses on a human scientist named Will Rodman and a tragic accident in an experimental laboratory that leads him to adopt a baby chimp, which he names Caesar. From there the story follows Caesar's life in the lap of luxury until the day his animal instincts take over, he is introduced to other chimps for the first time, and must quickly learn his place in the animal kingdom. Ultimately, he leads a "prison break" of sorts and leads his fellow primates into the Muir Woods. When his human caretaker comes after him, he refuses to return to the life he knew and instead takes on a new future.

2014's "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" takes place about 10 years after the first movie, when the Simian Flu has wiped out millions of people worldwide, leaving only a handful of survivors left. Most remaining humans are afraid of the apes and want nothing to do with them, but necessity for power drives them to face their fears. The main human in this film is a man named Malcolm. He is willing to do whatever it takes to help the people around him as long as it means having peace with the apes. Caesar feels the same way. When the humans realize their only hope for survival lies beyond the apes' home, Malcolm and Caesar form a truce that, unfortunately, doesn't last long. Koba, one of Caesar's followers, is not too happy with the idea of having humans around all the time. He, unlike his leader, was treated terribly by the human race, and he has not forgotten. Koba challenges Caesar's authority many times before finally making a drastic move that will change the course of history on Earth forever. (No spoilers here!)

In conclusion, I only have this to say: I am easy to please when it comes to movies, but it takes a lot to really, truly impress me with one. "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" wasn't one of those films where I walked out of the theater thinking it was okay and shrugging it off as something I'd watch again with my family on DVD. This movie really got the gears in my brain churning. For days after seeing it I couldn't stop thinking about the characters, the story, the animation and effects. The entire film was mind-blowing. I give it a 9/10 rating and definitely recommend that you watch it before it leaves theaters. It's one of those movies that is just better on the big screen.

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Marie Gilbert's review of "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" will be posted here on my blog next week, after my review of "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles."