Since its debut in 1968, the Planet of the Apes series has had a long life with several instalments. It’s has been remade (Tim Burton’s 2001 attempt), adapted for television (1974), and recently rebooted in 2011. The franchise’s new twist brought the apes to the forefront after exposure to the Simian Flu virus which devolved humans but made primates intelligent. In 2011, Rise of the Planet of the Apes re-birthed the concept while 2014’s Dawn of the Planet of the Apes introduced conflict between animals and humans. Now with War of the Planet of the Apes , both species enter the ring and battle it out to the end.
Five years after the events of the previous film, Caesar (a motion captured Andy Serkis) and his colony of apes are still living in the Muir Woods. A faction of humans, led by an unnamed Colonel (Woody Harrelson) have killed Caesar’s family and eventually captured all apes. They’re then put to work to fortify the Colonel’s facility against attack. The saga chronicles the apes’ journey to escape and find a new home.
- Director: Matt Reeves
- Cast: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Amiah Miller, Karin Konoval, Judy Greer, Terry Notary
- Storyline: After the Simian Flu outbreak, humans want to defeat the intelligent race of apes to stay on top of the food chain
Like with the previous films of the series, War shines bright because of the fantastic rendering of the apes. Director Matt Reeves takes advantage of visual effects innovation to make his apes emote like humans. The animals’ feelings, often communicated through sign language, are entirely portrayed through their eyes and expressions. The film successfully delivers nuanced ape characters, without ever feeling artificial. For instance, a huge part of the film deals with the morality of its principal character, Caesar who’s torn between his desire for revenge and peace. The ape leader is haunted by visions of Koba whose hatred for humans consumed him eventually leading to his death. It’s a significant aspect of his well-fleshed out personality. The internal struggle in turn elicits in the audience a staunch discomfort at the cruelty of human beings. Harrelson is loathsome as the ape-hating Colonel who wants to preserve humans as apex beings. The supporting ape characters, like Maurice the wise orangutan (Karin Konoval), cement the audience’s allegiance to the apes.
What works against War , is its length which often stretches sub-plots unnecessarily. The part about the Simian Flu affecting people’s speech is indulged in a complicated beat-around-the-bush way. It’s perhaps a way for the creators to allow Caesar to flex his deducing skills. But for the audience it’s an impatient waiting game. There are certainly a few shortcomings working against the film, but its message couldn’t be clearer: often humanity is seen in beings other than humans.
