A Reel Review: RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Out of the 900 sequels and prequels we’ve been given to the original PLANET OF THE APES (1968), RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES is the one film that towers above all the rest; there is no confusing time-travel, conflicting storylines, over-the-top acting or rubber masks. What it does have is the most intelligent writing seen thus far in 2011, along with remarkably realized apes that will have the audience rooting against mankind.

Will (James Franco) is a scientist working on a cure for Alzheimer’s, which happens to be the disease crippling the mind of his beloved father, Charles (John Lithgow). Will does his testing on captured apes, and after a failed test, brings home the newborn offspring of a gifted and intelligent ape. The newborn, named Caesar grows to be super-smart. After Caesar violently defends Charles, he is sent to a primate impound run by an animal-abusing father-and-son team (Brian Cox and Tom Felton). The abuse changes Caesar, who rallies his fellow apes to a revolution.

RISE is Caesar’s story. The humans, while finely casted and acted throughout, take a back seat to the trials, triumphs, and pain of Caesar and his fellow apes. His story is brought to life in a near silent-film fashion, using sign and body language in a strong fashion that would make Chaplin proud.

But what really brings us into Caesar’s head is the smart writing that lets us feel his pain. There is true compassion for the creature as he lives through human feelings. All this is compounded by the remarkable motion-capture work done by Andy Serkis. Serkis, who with effects-house WETA brought the likes of Gollum and King Kong to life, outdoes himself here. Serkis’ facial expressions and body language brings a heartfelt human side to Caesar; a warmness that keeps the audience close. The apes overall are very realistic and are a marvel to look at. WETA of course can’t help themselves but to bring out a greyback gorilla (the basis for Kong), and it’s great to see the big guy in action again.

The revolution, when it does come around, is executed perfectly. The violence and action scenes are never gratuitous and have a purpose other than smashing things. Director Rupert Wyatt makes some directing choices that are nothing short of genius. Probably the defining moment is when the apes use their own prison bars as spears; what once confined them now defends them. Gentle, yet effective touches like that sneak up throughout the entire film.

The film is loaded with subtle, and some not-so subtle references to the previous films, but none of which are vital to the point that newcomers would be lost. The question of how a labful of apes manages to take over the planet is woven throughout the film like a fine thread, and comes to full circle in a slap-the-forehead moment. RISE is a such a tight and intelligent prequel, that the only follow-up that can do it justice is the original PLANET OF THE APES. Somehow, a film about monkeys is the most intelligent offering of the year thus far.

BOTTOM LINE: See it