“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” Movie Review by Rafy Mediavilla (@Rmediavilla)
Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
What worked:
It is important to mention that “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is set 300 years after War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), which means that although it helps an amount to one is familiar with the franchise, this installment has a gigantic advantage that its story for the most part stands on its own, and tells a story where the only thing that ties it to the previous ones is the mention of the ape Caesar.
Now, let’s talk a little bit about its story that, although its script mostly in the third act has some flaws in order to stretch the story. For much of it, the story of this movie focuses on giving a mythological tone to the name Caesar, using a lot of religious symbolism, when these two sides of Apes meet and one of them used Caesar’s name in vain, as this god gave them a mission to follow for the individual benefit of this clan regardless of what the other Apes want or believe in.
Where the hero of this installment, Noa, a non-believer of what Caesar preached, finds himself in the situation of putting his life at risk to save what is left of his tribe. Truly something I admire a lot about this installment was how in a sci-fi, action movie they used all these elements to make a highly entertaining and action packed film while telling a very symbolic story of the constant battle men have with religion, and in turn the massive damage man has caused by misusing science as an excuse for progress.
Visually like any other film in this franchise it is clear that the technical work must be highlighted, in terms of visual effects, CGI, and animatronics since without them it is basically impossible for this project to see the light of day. I really admire how these individuals manage over time, and with technologies like beam advance to recreate these post-apocalyptic worlds the earth, and in turn, create Apes as real with emotions as human as we see constant in these franchise films.
What did not work:
I admit I have no major complaints about this installment of the Planet of the Apes franchise, perhaps the last act annoyed me how forced it felt that last twist they gave the story in order to perhaps bring yet another sequel to theaters and continue that acro of the constant battle between the humans and the Apes. Perhaps the story being very symbolic it bothers people the way they touch the subject, I mention this as a double-edged sword or as a warning to those people very conservative in their beliefs. But truly on the negative aspects I don’t have much to address.
In conclusion:
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” delivered on its promise to entertain as a summer movie. It has all the necessary elements to continue the story of the Planet of the Apes franchise very much present from beginning to end, and although its story is replete with symbolism, and the ending felt forced, it is a film that in order to be enjoyed to the fullest must be seen in a theater.
