Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
This saga takes place three hundred years after Caesar’s death. The apes are at the top of the food chain and humans are wild, mostly non-verbal, forgotten as the leaders they once were. The apes have formed clan communities where they try to live an independent life.
This brings us to young Noa (Owen Teague) and his clan. They bond with Eagles for life and work in harmony. The film introduces us to Noa and his friends searching for the eagle egg that they will bond with. Due to circumstances, Noa goes out alone to retrieve another egg and while gone his village is attacked and captured by the clan led by Proximus Ceasar (Kevin Durand) who wants to rule over all the earth. Proximus has read stories of the human Julius Ceasar and fancies himself that type of ruler.
Noa makes it back in time to see his father die and vows to find his clan and bring them home.
The beginning of the tale is slow to the point I was wondering where it was going to go. Thank goodness director Wes Ball and screenwriter Josh Friedman get us into the action stuff quickly.
Noa’s quest takes him into the valley where he has never been. He sees buildings from the human world that have been abandoned. He meets the orangutan Raka (Peter Macone) who tells him the real story of Caesar and what happened between Humans and Apes. Noa soon finds out he is being followed by a human woman Mae/Nova (Freya Allan) who has her own agenda.
Together they are captured by Proximus, Noa becomes a leader, and Mae completes her mission.
Everything about the film was spot on. The actors embodied the mannerisms of the apes in such a way I couldn’t tell if actual people were acting the parts. They were so spot on in facial and body language. The cinematography was off the chain (that means it was really good.)
The idea of Noa looking through a telescope in wonder was interesting. What did he see that had him ponder? The way the film ends you know there is going to be a second installment but where will it lead?
With all that, after the lights went up in the theater, I didn’t feel engrossed or excited to run out and tell the masses about the film. I liked it but I didn’t love it. I loved the original with Charlton Heston and still get excited thinking about it. It’s a film that people will never forget.
I think you should see Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes in the theater, Dolby if possible. It is worth the price of the ticket.
I give Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes 3 ½ winks of the EYE out of 5.
Until next time, keep your EYE to the sky!