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I have just returned from the movie Rise of the Planet of the Apes . . . and I have to say I really enjoyed it! It was smart, it was thoughtful, and it presented a believable reason for how the apes ended up gaining intelligence and, more importantly, how they managed to take over the earth. The actual "taking over the earth" doesn't happen in the movie, but it does cover exactly how that takeover began AND gave you all of the necessary seeds for how the apes ended up on top, over humans. In fact, it set up the entire Planet of the Apes movie concept as well.
You have to realize going into the movie that this is NOT a summer action/adventure thriller with explosions and robots and aliens. (Sorry, Patricia.) This movie is in line with the original Planet of the Apes theme, in that it's sci-fi with some social commentary woven into it. What I liked about this movie is that it doesn't attempt to pound you over the head with the social commentary. It's really a great story about a man and his ape. Er, well, you get the idea. They kept the story SIMPLE, and yet all of the little plot threads that needed to come together DID. So go to the movie without a preconception that it will be the popcorn summer movie that we've been inundated with and I think you'll enjoy it.
One of the big things everyone has been talking about is the stellar special effects, and they are stellar. But at no point did I end up NOTICING the special effects really. This was not a movie that relied on the special effects for its impact, which is a good thing.
So, a great thoughtful, well-put-together movie and great edition to the Planet of the Apes line/series. The best movie I've seen this summer. Not necessarily the movie that was the most FUN (in terms of mind candy) but definitely one of the best.
You have to realize going into the movie that this is NOT a summer action/adventure thriller with explosions and robots and aliens. (Sorry, Patricia.) This movie is in line with the original Planet of the Apes theme, in that it's sci-fi with some social commentary woven into it. What I liked about this movie is that it doesn't attempt to pound you over the head with the social commentary. It's really a great story about a man and his ape. Er, well, you get the idea. They kept the story SIMPLE, and yet all of the little plot threads that needed to come together DID. So go to the movie without a preconception that it will be the popcorn summer movie that we've been inundated with and I think you'll enjoy it.
One of the big things everyone has been talking about is the stellar special effects, and they are stellar. But at no point did I end up NOTICING the special effects really. This was not a movie that relied on the special effects for its impact, which is a good thing.
So, a great thoughtful, well-put-together movie and great edition to the Planet of the Apes line/series. The best movie I've seen this summer. Not necessarily the movie that was the most FUN (in terms of mind candy) but definitely one of the best.
