-Written by John Cajio.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a film that does not suck. Stronger than its predecessor, a compelling story, improved visual effects, and terrific acting make this sequel worth watching.
Picking up ten years after the events of 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the human race has been devastated by a virus dubbed the simian flu. Only those possessed of an innate genetic immunity survived. Meanwhile, Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his tribe of hyper intelligent apes have set up a colony in the redwood forest across the Golden Gate Bridge near the remains of San Francisco. The apes have lived in peace, not having seen a human in two years, until a chance encounter brings ape and human together. Despite efforts on both sides to establish and maintain a fragile peace, internal factions on both sides threaten that peace as they crave war and seek to dominate the other species.
None of the human players from Rise of the Planet of the Apes reprise their roles here in the sequel, save an uncredited cameo appearance by James Franco’s Will Rodman, the presumption being that the simian flu claimed them all. As good as that cast was, it was a smart move. Between that and the time jump, it allowed a whole new cast to be brought in and a whole new story to be told.
The story, written again by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, along with Mark Bomback, is compelling. The conflict between the humans and the apes feels both inevitable and completely avoidable. Jason Clarke and Serkis do a fantastic job of anchoring their respective sides of this brewing conflict as Malcolm and Caesar respectively. They both want to maintain peace as the humans seek to restart a hydroelectric dam in the apes’ territory. But Koba (Toby Kebbell), one of Caesar’s lieutenants, who spent years in captivity prior to being freed during the events of the previous film, is strongly against helping the humans, driving a wedge between the two ape leaders. Malcolm has little choice but to bring Carver (Kirk Acevedo) with him, who is responsible for initiating the contact with the apes in a bad way in the first place but also is the only one who is familiar with the hydroelectric dam. Meanwhile, Malcolm’s boss, Dreyfus (Gary Oldman), openly prepares for the possibility of conflict with the apes by training his men on the old stockpile of military hardware they have access to, even as he gives Malcolm the go-ahead to try and sort things out peacefully with the apes.
As the viewer, we feel the soul crushing responsibility and pressure that Caesar feels as he tries to keep the peace with the humans while placating Koba and his faction, all the while simultaneously dealing with domestic issues at home: an angsty, rebellious teenage son, a newborn son, and an increasingly ill mate. Serkis does a remarkable job shifting gears from powerful leader one moment to sensitive father figure the next.
Clarke rises to the occasion himself as the primary voice of reason on the human side. Malcolm just wants to get to the dam, repair it, turn it on, and head back to town to leave the apes in peace. But foolish actions and decisions by others that undermine his authority and affirm Koba’s feeling that all humans are bad and must be shown “strength” (i.e., killed).
As both Caesar and Malcolm strive for peace, others on both sides strive for war. As avoidable as each choice that pushes both sides towards war seems, those choices make logical sense due to great characterization. You can guess how it plays out. As Megadeth’s Dave Mustaine wrote, “Peace sells. But who’s buying?”
Weta Digital returns to do the visual effects here in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and it is clear that they upped their game in the three years since Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The visual effects are stunning, without any significant drop in quality in the film this time (unlike in the previous where there were some weak moments visually). The apes, of course, look fantastic. But it’s the other elements that really standout as we observe nature slowly taking back San Francisco and its environs after the simian flu reduces humanity’s population to a tiny fraction of what it once was.
Matt Reeves handily takes over the director’s chair from Rupert Wyatt with aplomb. Michael Giacchino takes over composing duties from Patrick Doyle, and like Doyle, Giacchino writes a score that is relevant and enhances the action on the screen without overstaying its welcome.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a compelling exploration of internal strife and conflict, and of how peace is often a losing proposition.
Directed by Matt Reeves.
Written by Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver.
Starring Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Toby Kebbell, Keri Russell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Judy Greer, Kirk Acevedo, etc.
8/10 = WORTH RENTING OR BUYING
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