Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Im not a massive fan of the “Planet of the Apes” series, however I thought I would give this one a watch and see how it went. Many of my work colleagues and friends said to me that it was an excellent film and definitely worth watching, after the not so brilliant effort of Mark Wahlberg’s Version in 2001.

This film is the most serious about the subject and makes it plausible as you watch evolution with your own eyes. The key word in that last sentence is plausible, this is something that the film conveys very well, plausibility.

So what’s it about? Well, James Franco  plays a down on his luck scientist, Will Rodman,  who cant seem to get that final break to get him into the small group of world renowned scientists, however he thinks he has found the cure for the Alzheimer’s, however what he thinks and what he knows are 2 different things entirely. After finally getting the cure to the right people, Caesar’s mother breaks out of the cage she is held in and smashes her way through to the boardroom, this makes the right people think the wrong thing and thus the project is dropped and Caesar’s mother is killed.

Will, then takes Caesar home, but low and behold because Caesar’s mum had conceived him while being tested with the drug, it is now part of Caesar’s genetic make up, and Will doesn’t realise what is about to happen.

So the story starts from here, the revolt and the interaction phases of the film are excellent and it is thoroughly heart-warming and gut-wrenching at the same time. The 2 hours go so fast unfortunately because it is a very good film, there isn’t too much build up, and it’s just a very interesting film.

The CGI in parts is absolutely awful and in others, it’s unbelievable, some of the best I have seen in a film, which is unusual because most films they are either rubbish graphics or excellent, not a bit of both.

The level of acting is excellent and of a good standard. The soundtrack is tense and enjoyable at the same time.

Overall a good start to what could be a new franchise in the making. I hope so.