A decade has passed since the simian flu ravaged mankind. Living a peaceful existence in the wilderness of a San Francisco forest near an abandoned dam, the apes have carved out a life without humans who they presume have long died out due to the simian flu virus. Their leader Caesar (Andy Serkis) has set up an enormous community of primates and has taught sign language to his subjects, and some, like him, can even speak. The genetically-evolving apes are celebrating the arrival of a new baby, all the time wondering if humans have indeed been wiped out. But alas, the ape's idyllic lifestyle is rudely interrupted! When least expected, up trundles a bunch of those pesky humans led by family man Malcolm (Jason Clarke), searching for hydro-electric power. If the humans can restart the nearby dam, you know it really will be a case of "lights back on, camera and... action"! After a period of deliberation, negotiation and intimidation tactics between the species a raging battle begins.
'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' presents a simple conflict of interests, but the characters on either side are written with an appealing depth. What could have easily become an annoying cavalcade of obvious mix-ups between species becomes something so much more fascinating. The humans' leader (Gary Oldman), for instance, who wants to decimate the apes if they won't allow access to the dam, is not a mustache-twirling sadist but simply a frightened and grieving man charged with protecting his small pocket of humanity. On the other side, the intelligent, heroic and non-belligerent Caesar has a scarred and bad-ass adviser, Koba (Toby Kebbell), who hates humans because they tortured him in the lab. Caesar still remembers the kindness he received from some humans and brokers a peace between the two factions. This does not sit well with Koba who longs to battle. He will soon get his wish.
Matt Reeves takes the reins of this shrewd franchise and runs confidently with visceral wanton destruction. He conjures a spectacle, delivering both action and character drama, that has you cheering on instinctively. When you are sufficiently captivated by the story not to raise so much as a smile at the spectacle of an enraged chimpanzee on horseback brandishing a machine gun, then you have to give credit where it's due. Andy Serkis doffs the motion capture cap as Caesar. He gives Caesar a quiet dignity and, almost makes him human in his emotions. The digital effects are seamless and combined with Serkis' acting beneath it, a believable sense of compassion and anger is conveyed. Toby Kebbell excels in being completely terrifying under his ape guise, enabling the scenes between himself and Serkis to become tightly wound and impactful drama. The humans take somewhat of a back seat but help guide the story along with their meddling and moral turmoil.
All through this riveting drama, your disbelief remains willfully suspended. Forget motion-capture, this is motion-rapture!
'Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' presents a simple conflict of interests, but the characters on either side are written with an appealing depth. What could have easily become an annoying cavalcade of obvious mix-ups between species becomes something so much more fascinating. The humans' leader (Gary Oldman), for instance, who wants to decimate the apes if they won't allow access to the dam, is not a mustache-twirling sadist but simply a frightened and grieving man charged with protecting his small pocket of humanity. On the other side, the intelligent, heroic and non-belligerent Caesar has a scarred and bad-ass adviser, Koba (Toby Kebbell), who hates humans because they tortured him in the lab. Caesar still remembers the kindness he received from some humans and brokers a peace between the two factions. This does not sit well with Koba who longs to battle. He will soon get his wish.
Matt Reeves takes the reins of this shrewd franchise and runs confidently with visceral wanton destruction. He conjures a spectacle, delivering both action and character drama, that has you cheering on instinctively. When you are sufficiently captivated by the story not to raise so much as a smile at the spectacle of an enraged chimpanzee on horseback brandishing a machine gun, then you have to give credit where it's due. Andy Serkis doffs the motion capture cap as Caesar. He gives Caesar a quiet dignity and, almost makes him human in his emotions. The digital effects are seamless and combined with Serkis' acting beneath it, a believable sense of compassion and anger is conveyed. Toby Kebbell excels in being completely terrifying under his ape guise, enabling the scenes between himself and Serkis to become tightly wound and impactful drama. The humans take somewhat of a back seat but help guide the story along with their meddling and moral turmoil.
All through this riveting drama, your disbelief remains willfully suspended. Forget motion-capture, this is motion-rapture!