Movie Review: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Written by Anthony Sargon
When Rise of the Planet of the Apes came out in 2011, no one was actually expecting it to be any good. Boy were we wrong. The film was not only good; it was brilliant. Thanks to state-of-the-art motion capture technology, as well as a compelling narrative with something to say about society, the Planet of the Apes universe was given a new lease on life. But we all know how challenging it can be to craft a good sequel, let alone a superior one, which is why I was completely blown away by Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Not only is it a spectacular science fiction film, it’s one of the greatest and most impressive sequels I have ever had the privilege of witnessing.
It’s been ten years since the deadly Gen-Sys virus was unleashed, and humanity is on the brink of extinction. Meanwhile, Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his trusted band of apes have been flourishing. It’s been years since they’ve crossed a human, and they’ve taken that opportunity to develop their own society and way of life. They have their rules, and Caesar makes sure they’re abided by. When a small band of humans accidentally stumbles upon the apes’ forest home, the peace that Caesar has fought so hard to maintain becomes increasingly fragile, especially when his trusted friend Koba (Toby Kebbell) begins to take matters into his own hands.
I was completely floored by Dawn of the Planet of the Apes from beginning to end. For one, Andy Serkis is simply flawless as Caesar. Seriously, where’s this man’s Academy Award? The way he inhabits the role of Caesar and makes the audience care for him more than they do for humanity is miraculous, to say the least. But it’d be a disservice to every other motion capture performer to only highlight Serkis’ amazing work. Toby Kebbell is equally brilliant as Koba, and serves as one of the film’s most interesting characters, with legitimate motivations for his actions. Karin Konoval is great as the lovable Maurice, my personal favorite ape, and I wish I could tear through the screen and give that CGI ape a big cuddly hug. Seriously, props to every single mo-cap performer for their amazing work.
That mo-cap would mean zilch if it weren’t for Weta Digital’s picture-perfect visual effects work, and they are more impressive than ever this time around. There are more apes on screen at once than ever before, and they all look incredible and unique. It’s the kind of visual effects work that continuously impresses you as the film goes on, and not once did I come close to feeling jaded. The Academy Award for best visual effects is already in the bag.
It would be easy to simply recommend the film based on its technical achievements, but it’s so much more than just pretty effects. Director Matt Reeves, who stepped into the director’s chair after Rupert Wyatt left the project, was the perfect choice to helm this sequel. This is a much darker story than the previous one, and although it doesn’t have the same allegorical aspirations that Rise had, it has a lot to say about human nature, and more importantly, knowing who to trust, even if it’s the unpopular choice.
The film’s action sequences are some of the most impressive I’ve seen in years; they’re violent, often scary, and extremely visceral. There’s one continuous shot in particular that involves a tank, and it’s hauntingly beautiful. Reeves has really outdone himself here. The film’s score is equally haunting and brilliant, and makes the film even more awe-inspiring than it already is.
My one complaint about the film would be that the human characters are a bit one-dimensional. It’s not a major issue, but it does stand out, especially when the apes have been so well fleshed-out. Still, Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman’s characters manage to shine as leaders with polar-opposite views, and they’re the only human characters that really register. Keri Russell, I’m sad to say, is wasted in a thinly written role. But don’t fret, the film’s focus is largely on the apes, and it’s immensely immersive and satisfying.
The Verdict:
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is hands down one of the greatest sequels I have ever watched. It’s an emotional and visually breathtaking ride that will you leave you in awe and clamoring for more. Go watch it. Don’t make me beg.
Numerical Score: 9.5/10
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