War for the Planet of the Apes - Review
Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn
The almighty showdown between apes and humans has long been brewing - the Simian virus has all but decimated the human race and has advanced the apes capabilities to staggering degrees. And now the culmination of their harrowing and legendary saga has arrived with War for the Planet of the Apes, a film less concerned about the physical act of war as it explores the internal subtleties and effects of uprising than the title may suggest.
After the events of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, war has truly been declared on the apes, led by Caesar (Andy Serkis), by the terrified humans. The apes suffer heavy losses and fuelled by a deep grief and revenge, Caesar sets out on a mythic quest to avenge his own kind. As the journey brings him face to face with the ruthless Colonel (Woody Harrelson), the two engage in a battle of leadership that will determine the fate of both human and ape kind.
Technology and the things it can achieve are constantly evolving, evidenced so clearly by the Apes trilogy as with each instalment, the primates appearance inches closer and closer to reality. As the CGI and rendering as become more accomplished, so has Caesar's character arc - his journey towards becoming the Ape-Moses like figure that he does in War for the Planet of the Apes is beautifully enriched and one of the most compelling studies and evolution of character that a blockbuster has ever produced. Whilst technology and individual characters may advance, one thing has remained constant within the franchise - the triumph of Andy Serkis' staggering performance as Caesar. Undoubtedly the Godfather of motion capture, Serkis continues to uphold that title. Many question the merits of his performance due to its substantial digital enhancement but no amount of pills can ever bring to life the astounding emotion the Serkis does. Quite simply, he is one of the most talented and undervalued actors working today.
Caesar has always been the pillar of strength in the ape community, carrying the burden of the burgeoning uprising all by himself for many years - but never so greatly is the weary and exhausting effect of such responsibility so plain for all to see. He's plagued by visions of Koba, the Judas figure in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes that ignited the fire of war between apes and humans and haunted by the role that he played in his death. A violent tragedy exacted by the Colonel also sends Caesar down a path of revenge and blind hatred, forcing him to reflect upon the similarities between him and Koba whose own personal circumstances made him unforgiving in nature toward the humans. To watch such a morally indestructible character make decisions that are logically and emotionally worrisome only fulfil his desire for revenge colours his ideologies in a dark and interesting way.
Supporting characters are continually well-realised with Caesar's band of primates rounding out a formidable and committed group of freedom fighters. Orangutan Maurice (Karin Konoval), Caesar's level-headed and loyal companion from the beginning of his radical evolution, is a standout and acts as Caesar's moral compass when the needle is pointing in the wrong direction. The introduction of Steve Zahn's Bad Ape provides levity and comic relief that the franchise has been devoid of thus far; he's a slightly neurotic chimpanzee who has been living as a hermit for years but shows Caesar and company that the Simian virus has reached farther than they ever could have imagined, suggesting there are more enhanced apes across America - and potentially the world.
War for the Planet of the Apes is a blockbuster of epic proportions; the performances are strong, the CGI flawless and the story impressive with its Western influences - but it's the incredible characters that make War such a satisfying conclusion to this symbolic franchise.
EB
Cast: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn
The almighty showdown between apes and humans has long been brewing - the Simian virus has all but decimated the human race and has advanced the apes capabilities to staggering degrees. And now the culmination of their harrowing and legendary saga has arrived with War for the Planet of the Apes, a film less concerned about the physical act of war as it explores the internal subtleties and effects of uprising than the title may suggest.After the events of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, war has truly been declared on the apes, led by Caesar (Andy Serkis), by the terrified humans. The apes suffer heavy losses and fuelled by a deep grief and revenge, Caesar sets out on a mythic quest to avenge his own kind. As the journey brings him face to face with the ruthless Colonel (Woody Harrelson), the two engage in a battle of leadership that will determine the fate of both human and ape kind.
Technology and the things it can achieve are constantly evolving, evidenced so clearly by the Apes trilogy as with each instalment, the primates appearance inches closer and closer to reality. As the CGI and rendering as become more accomplished, so has Caesar's character arc - his journey towards becoming the Ape-Moses like figure that he does in War for the Planet of the Apes is beautifully enriched and one of the most compelling studies and evolution of character that a blockbuster has ever produced. Whilst technology and individual characters may advance, one thing has remained constant within the franchise - the triumph of Andy Serkis' staggering performance as Caesar. Undoubtedly the Godfather of motion capture, Serkis continues to uphold that title. Many question the merits of his performance due to its substantial digital enhancement but no amount of pills can ever bring to life the astounding emotion the Serkis does. Quite simply, he is one of the most talented and undervalued actors working today.
Caesar has always been the pillar of strength in the ape community, carrying the burden of the burgeoning uprising all by himself for many years - but never so greatly is the weary and exhausting effect of such responsibility so plain for all to see. He's plagued by visions of Koba, the Judas figure in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes that ignited the fire of war between apes and humans and haunted by the role that he played in his death. A violent tragedy exacted by the Colonel also sends Caesar down a path of revenge and blind hatred, forcing him to reflect upon the similarities between him and Koba whose own personal circumstances made him unforgiving in nature toward the humans. To watch such a morally indestructible character make decisions that are logically and emotionally worrisome only fulfil his desire for revenge colours his ideologies in a dark and interesting way.
Supporting characters are continually well-realised with Caesar's band of primates rounding out a formidable and committed group of freedom fighters. Orangutan Maurice (Karin Konoval), Caesar's level-headed and loyal companion from the beginning of his radical evolution, is a standout and acts as Caesar's moral compass when the needle is pointing in the wrong direction. The introduction of Steve Zahn's Bad Ape provides levity and comic relief that the franchise has been devoid of thus far; he's a slightly neurotic chimpanzee who has been living as a hermit for years but shows Caesar and company that the Simian virus has reached farther than they ever could have imagined, suggesting there are more enhanced apes across America - and potentially the world.
War for the Planet of the Apes is a blockbuster of epic proportions; the performances are strong, the CGI flawless and the story impressive with its Western influences - but it's the incredible characters that make War such a satisfying conclusion to this symbolic franchise.
EB
Comments
Post a Comment