My wife and I caught this one at the midnight showing. I wore my Donkey Kong shirt in case you were interested. I know you are.I was looking forward to this one after getting sucked in by the Andy Serkis and CGI tacking featurette I saw online, see below. Though, I was still reserved about how yet another apes movie would fare considering they've beaten the subject to chimp crazed pulp.
I was astounded to find that the featurette hype was right on. Though many might feel that the CGI isn't quite there, they do a FANTASTIC job of following Caesar from birth and showing his progression. I think that most complaints are from people who see an emotive ape and aren't used to it. The intelligent eyes and expression set them apart and though it's really what might make them look less believable in the end they hand hold you and explain that this part was very much intentional. They also cover their tracks by explaining that the eyes of the apes are changed by their genetic/mental alteration.
I must preface my score on this one by adding that though I've seen most of the PofA movies I don't consider myself a die hard fan and would be hard pressed to quote much more than the "damn dirty apes" line. Yet geekyness prevailed and I found myself in line at midnight.
James Franco and John Lithgow help give the movie a lot of its heart and crazy as a duo. Freida Pinto does well enough as the required female role. Tom Felton delivers one particular line that feels really really flat, but does well enough being a sniveling coward of a man. He's been typecast of course.
I don't like to give away much plot because personally the less I know about a movie the more I enjoy the experience. If you want a synopsis you can look it up on IMDB. One thing I will say is that this story line MAKES SENSE. Thank you ape script gods. Yup 99% of movie goers will feel like they know what happened. This is a movie that feels like an origin story should. It has 75% heart to 25% action but the action is fierce and well balanced. If you're expecting Ape on Man violence for 2 hours you'll be disappointed but if you want to find yourself genuinely caring for Caesar and rooting for his freedom, then strap in because this film grabs you.
It's a must see. 3.7 out of 4 bananas.
Right on the nose. The CG was impressive for how much it was used. I loved it. The story was mostly non-verbal, and that was what I liked the most. Monkeys!
ReplyDeleteHah well said. How many years has Franco worked with apes as a scientist and he still calls them monkeys... really? lol
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