Movie Review: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

[jpskewedthrone]

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.

Comments

[melissajm.livejournal.com]

I've read the book, but haven't seen any of the movies. Think it would still make sense?

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Oh, the movie makes sense totally on its own. I haven't read the book (I do own it however), so I can't say how true to the book it is, but you don't need any previous material to follow the movie at all.

[dferguson.livejournal.com]

https://derricklferguson.wordpress.com/2011/08/06/rise-of-the-planet-of-the-apes/

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Nice review!

[trektone.livejournal.com]

I enjoyed it, too, though the last trailer before the actual movie provided an unfortunate foreshadow of an aspect of the Apes film.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

Was this for Contagion or something like that? It wasn't shown before the Apes movie, but I saw this trailer before Cowboys & Aliens.

[deliabarry.livejournal.com]

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 is probably the highest praise anyone can give to special effects! I've been resisting the push to see this movie, but I do love actual science fiction, so perhaps I'll reconsider. :)

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

I thought it was a real sci-fi movie, not the typical action blow-em-up flick. So I'd recomment you go see it, if that's more your kind of SF.

[corvidophile.livejournal.com]

i can't wait to see it! i'm glad it was in keeping with the original (and not the 2001 travesty) as i absolutely love PotA.

[jpsorrow.livejournal.com]

It doesn't follow the original 5 movies in terms of plot exclusively--for example, Caesar isn't the son of the two in the original movie who traveled back through time and such--but it definitely sets up the plot for Planet of the Apes.