 ***PLEASE NOTE: A Blu-ray 3D disc is only compatible with 3D Blu-ray players.*** Tagline: One last chance for peace. Storyline: A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species. Written by Twentieth Century Fox Reviewer's Note: Reviewed by Jeffrey Kauffman, November 29, 2014 -- 1968's science fiction succès d'estime may have been Stanley Kubrick's immortal 2001: A Space Odyssey, but in terms of launching a franchise and a now decades long imprint on the cinematic universe, Planet of the Apes may have had the more lasting impact. Interestingly, both the Kubrick-Clarke collaboration and the Rod Serling penned Apes deal with evolution, though obviously in completely different ways (and, not to put too fine a point on it, with different species). If 2001 at least hinted at the chance for a brighter future for Mankind, Planet of the Apes posited a much more apocalyptic outcome for homo sapiens, with those vaunted "damn, dirty apes" getting the better end of any incipient Darwinism. The original Planet of the Apes gave birth to no fewer than four sequels, not to mention various other properties like some short-lived live action and animated television fare. While there was a law of diminishing returns fully in effect in the sequels, the fact that most of them continued to do relatively well at the box office is some indication of how compelling the public at large found the general premise of an ape ruled society to be. Tim Burton revisited Planet of the Apes in 2001, failing to really capitalize on the potential of the already well established concept, and thereby also scuttling any plans for a new franchise. Though initially not that hotly anticipated, 2011's Rise of the Planet of the Apes turned out to have perhaps surprising success with both critics and audiences, offering a reboot which in some ways resembled Conquest of the Planet of the Apes more than the 1968 original. Perhaps just as surprising as the acclaim afforded Rise of the Planet of the Apes was the even more rapturous response that Dawn of the Planet of the Apes received upon its release, though some curmudgeons may still be prone to fits of eye rolling over predictable plot progressions and some risible dialogue. The film's technical achievements, however, are inarguably fantastic, with state of the art motion capture, CGI and practical effects that palpably create a world where apes are involved in an epic struggle for survival with their former masters, good old humankind. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes recaps its progenitor's plot points in a "news montage" of sorts that rather humorously inserts real life authority figures like former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg and President Obama into the mix, as a variety of "reporters" describe the havoc wreaked by the ALZ-113 virus. The film actually spends a large portion of its first act focusing solely on the ape population, to the point that even ape leader Caesar (Andy Serkis, via motion capture) and his friend Maurice (Karin Konoval) wonder if there are actually any humans left alive after the lapse of a decade since the virus hit and at least two years with no sightings of men. That question is answered when a human interloper suddenly appears in the Muir Woods one day and, shaken and obviously terrified by the sight of two (younger) apes, shoots one of them, luckily not fatally, but arousing the ire of the apes nonetheless. That man, an engineer named Carver (Kirk Acevedo) is part of an advance party led by Malcolm (Jason Clarke), who is attempting to get to a nearby dam to restore it to operating condition so that power can be funneled to a ragtag group of survivors holed up in nearby San Francisco. The initial interchange between Caesar and Malcolm doesn't go especially well, considering the fact that there's a wounded ape youth lying on the ground spilling blood from a gunshot, and for a moment it seems the two species will retreat to their respective corners. But back in San Francisco, Malcolm's leader Dreyfus (Gary Oldman, in what amounts more or less to a glorified cameo) is desperate to provide power to the human survivors. Malcolm decides he can appeal to the apes' common sense, though he is unaware that Koba (Toby Kebbell), still nursing trauma over a lifetime of captivity and experimentation at the hands of scientists, wants Caesar to stand up and fight. Interestingly, while Carver is set up as the bad seed of the humans, it's actually an ape acolyte who ends up creating most of the conflict in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. The film has already perhaps been a bit too obvious in contrasting father and son relationships between human and ape characters, but here the film plays things rather more smartly, ultimately offering a surprisingly nuanced and well developed arc that sees the initial bonding of Malcolm and Caesar (and their families) torn asunder by various machinations. While the technical achievement of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes can't be overstated, what actually makes the film work perhaps even more than the spectacle is the human—and of course, ape—interest stories. While the character of Malcolm is a little generic (as, frankly, is Carver), there's enough tangential interest in Malcolm's family life, which includes wife Ellie (Keri Russell) and artist son Alexander (Kodi Smit-McPhee), who ends up developing a touching friendship with Maurice, to keep things from feeling too rote. The interplay between Caesar and Koba is especially visceral on the simian side of things, and the frightening "evolution" of the apes taking control of more lethal weapons is especially well developed. If Dawn of the Planet of the Apes perhaps tries just a little too hard to set things up for what is an already announced third chapter, it's a forgivable effort simply because this chapter is so largely involving and intelligently scripted. Despite a few missteps, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes smartly reinvigorates the franchise, probably even more so than Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Hopefully this "new, improved" set of ape adventures can avoid that law of diminishing returns that tended to plague the original series. Technology has finally caught up with the concept of Planet of the Apes, but the even better news is this is one science fiction spectacular that doesn't rely solely on wondrous state of the art special effects to achieve its impact. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes manages to be both epic and intimate, and it very smartly plays with Apes canon in some inventive ways. Andy Serkis' motion capture performance is nothing less than amazing, and in fact overpowers some of the "real" humans on screen. But as daunting as this film's technical achievements inarguably are, it's the actual storytelling that makes Dawn of the Planet of the Apes a morning worth experiencing. Technical merits are first rate, the supplementary package is excellent, and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes comes Highly recommended. [CSW] -3.7- Caesar: "Apes.....do not want war!!" This is not just a great sci/fi actioner, it is a cinema masterpiece; and likely to become a classic in the genre. Better than the first film in this reboot of the "Planet of the Apes" franchise, and that is saying a lot, because the 2011 film, starring James Franco was excellent. This newest entry in the franchise - and there will be at least one more - has better writing, better character development for both the apes and the humans, and better direction - by Matt Reeves - than the 2011 film. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes occurs a decade after the events of the first film (Rise of the Planet of the Apes) and follows a band of survivors of who have endured a deadly viral outbreak. It chronicles the relationship between the human survivors and a group of genetically modified apes led by Caesar. The chemistry between the two leads is compelling, thrilling, and aww inspiring. Particularly due to Andy Serkin's phenomenal video capture work. You will be on the edge of your seat the whole time this is going, it does a feel a tad bit long and drawn out towards the end but any movie over the 2 hour mark always does. If you can see it in 3D. Cast Notes: Andy Serkis (Caesar), Jason Clarke (Malcolm), Gary Oldman (Dreyfus), Keri Russell (Ellie), Toby Kebbell (Koba), Kodi Smit-McPhee (Alexander), Kirk Acevedo (Carver), Nick Thurston (Blue Eyes), Terry Notary (Rocket), Karin Konoval (Maurice), Judy Greer (Cornelia), Jon Eyez (Foster), Enrique Murciano (Kemp), Larramie Doc Shaw (Ash [as Doc Shaw]), Lee Ross (Grey). IMDb Rating (11/29/14): 7.9/10 from 170,589 users
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