War for the Planet of the Apes could be the summer’s best blockbuster
Caesar’s journey concludes in an emotional, gripping and challenging end to the trilogy
The rebooted Planet of the Apes saga has earned a reputation as one of the most sophisticated and complex film franchises of the past decade. With War for the Planet of the Apes, the excellent blockbuster trilogy concludes on a powerful note. Set two years after Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, we follow the brutal war between the apes and a force of human soldiers to its bitter end. Director Matt Reeves returns to bring emotional depth to a challenging story about the best and worst of humanity.
These movies tell the story of Caesar (Andy Serkis), a chimpanzee who gained freedom from captivity before a simian ‘flu swept the globe, leaving humans sick and granting apes increased intelligence. He grew to become leader of those apes, but is now battle-hardened and weary. Serkis is again magnificent, and if there’s any justice he’ll be in contention for major acting awards. Caesar’s a complex character, but one who stands as a symbol of humanity and a figure who’s experienced both love and cruelty from humans. In War, tragic events bring him to his darkest point yet, and one of the key conflicts becomes the battle for Caesar’s very soul. He’s put to the test, and the film always chooses the most difficult and unexpected of ways to examine his morality.
Continue reading my ★★★★★ review for Frame Rated here…
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