Plot
A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it... See full summary »
Release Year: 2014
Rating: 8.9/10 (1,993 voted)
Critic's Score: 90/100
Director: Matt Reeves
Stars: Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis
Storyline
A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.
Writers: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver
Cast: Andy Serkis -
Caesar
Jason Clarke -
Malcolm
Gary Oldman -
Dreyfus
Keri Russell -
Ellie
Toby Kebbell -
Koba
Kodi Smit-McPhee -
Alexander
Kirk Acevedo -
Carver
Nick Thurston -
Blue Eyes
Terry Notary -
Rocket
Karin Konoval -
Maurice
Judy Greer -
Cornelia
Jon Eyez -
Foster
Enrique Murciano -
Kemp
Larramie Doc Shaw -
Ash
(as Doc Shaw)
Lee Ross -
Grey
Trivia:
The husband of Judy Greer (Cornelia) is reportedly a massive fan of Planet of the Apes (1968). Greer revealed in a interview with Vulture that that they had a chimp husband-and-wife cake topper at their wedding, while the original film and Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) played on two separate televisions in the bar area at the cocktail hour. See more »
Quotes:
[
User Review
Author:
Rating: 9/10
Among Hollywood's recent output of mediocre (and in some cases:
downright abysmal) remakes of Sci-Fi classics, 'Rise of the Planet of
the Apes' was the rare movie which stood out, for it had as much of a
brain as it had a heart – plus an original approach to the well-known
material and great visuals. Having said that, 'Rise' practically pales
in comparison to Matt Reeves' sequel: the upcoming 'Dawn of the Planet
of the Apes' is as close to a Science-Fiction masterpiece as a 120
million PG-13 Hollywood summer blockbuster can possibly get.
The storyline picks up ten years after we saw Ceasar and his fellow
simian escapees seek refuge in the woods near San Francisco, and
although the film's trailers already gave away pretty much everything
that happened during that time (and alas, way too much of what will
happen), I'm not going to spoil anything for those who carefully
avoided watching said trailers. As with all my reviews, instead of
giving away any details about the story, I'll elaborate on all other
aspects of the movie.
What needs to be mentioned first is what an astonishing achievement
'Dawn' is when it comes to the use of CGI. I'm normally very critical
towards the (over-)use of CGI – but the level of craftsmanship
displayed here simply has to be admired. It only took me seconds to
forget I was watching digital characters (brought to life by the
outstanding motion-capture performances of Andy Serkis, Toby Kebbell
and Judy Grier – to name but a few), and I can't begin to imagine what
a task it must have been for the artists and wizards in the animation
department to work on every background and every tiny little detail of
every character until this level of seamlessness and reality could be
achieved.
But nearly every other aspect of the movie has been realized equally
well: Michael Giacchino's haunting musical score fits and reflects the
drama on screen perfectly, while the – often terrifying – beauty of the
images on screen had me immediately wondering who the DoP was (now I
know: Michael Seresin, the genius veteran DoP of such classics as
'Midnight Express' and 'Angel Heart'). When it comes to the action;
well, 'Dawn' is not your usual summer blockbuster. This is no
light-hearted, comic-book-style fantasy film with fun, over-the-top
action scenes. What we have here is a gritty, realistic portrayal of a
slowly escalating conflict, and when we do get to the battle scenes in
the third act, those scenes are a spectacular, mesmerizing visual feast
- and ultimately heart breaking.
But the core of this film – and also the reason why the action scenes
in the third act really do have an impact and all the mayhem really
gets to you – is the intelligent, skilfully told story with its
well-drawn, believable characters (portrayed by equally believable
actors). The tragic simian/human conflict mirrors our real – and very
human – past and present day wars and social frictions in a very
realistic way and thus makes this film resonate far beyond what any
mere Sci-Fi premise would let you expect.
So my verdict: With its beautiful imagery, highly relevant story and
breath-taking effects, 'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' is as close to
a Science-Fiction masterpiece as its mass-audience orientated
constrictions allowed it to be (which – in this case – is very close);
an astonishing achievement and highly recommended. 9 stars out of 10.
0