All These Creations: “Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes” Review

Year: 2011

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Writers: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver

Starring: Andy Serkis, James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Tom Felton

“Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes” isn't a sequel or a prequel to the original movies, it’s not exactly the standard remake, too. It is closest to a re-imagining of “Conquest Of The Planet Of The Apes” (1972) with different, more relatable for the 21st century, plot.

Having said that, the great achievement of the movie is to actually make the entire story of how the planet of the apes came to be rather plausible. You don’t watch this movie occasionally going “That’s absolutely ridiculous”. The story is pretty much straightforward, but the detail is what makes it an enthralling experience. The movie is a little less than 2 hours long and it feels like half an hour. I heard some complains about the pacing in the beginning of the film, but for me it was timed perfectly: it gives you time to get to know the characters before the badassery of the apes ensues.

The movie has a surprising emotional pull and the brilliant Andy Serkis as Caesar just breaks your heart. He is indeed the lead in the movie and the most fleshed out character, not Will Rodman, the scientist who takes care of him (played by James Franco). He is more schematic and far less engaging, but sometimes reminds us of doctor Frankenstein. John Lithgow`s performance as Will’s father is also good and touching. But as a whole the humans are largely in the background of the story, the most intriguing characters all throughout the movie remain the apes. The best example is Freida Pinto’s role as Will’s girlfriend who, except for being very beautiful, doesn't really have anything to do on the screen. But that’s not that unsettling, since the monkeys are genuinely fascinating and the movie deliberately focuses on them. You understand their motivations and even root for them by the end.

The cinematography is great, the movie is beautifully shot. The CGI is also excellent (all motion capture), for me it wasn't entirely convincing in the scenes with the younger Caesar, but it didn't really take me out of the story. I have another minuscule gripe – the presence of a little bit of voice-over, which probably the movie could go without.

The movie touches the well-known questions about intelligence, our treatment of animals (minorities if you wish), corporal greed, what can be justified in the name of science etc. These problems are presented, although not explored in huge dept. Still, “Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes” is a terrific movie, well above the average blockbuster – it is visually gripping, smart, well-balanced and moving. I give it 4 and a half Kubricks.