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Dawn of the Planet of the Apes follows the growing tension between the surviving humans and the increasing and evolving ape community led by Caesar (Andy Serkis). Set 10 years after the events of Rise, it follows a new group of humans led by Dreyfus (Gary Oldman) and Malcolm (Jason Clarke), both of which have differing views about how to handle the apes pushing them to decide between conflict and war, or a tense truce with the "animals". Meanwhile, Caesar also has to deal with unrest within his own group.
This is probably the third or fourth time I watch this, and I've always held it up as the best of the trilogy. A recent rewatch of Rise closed the gap, but this one remains the superior one. Even though we have to acclimate ourselves to new human characters, Clarke, Keri Russell, and especially Oldman do a great job. However, it is the wonderful job of Serkis and the VFX team what keeps pushing that through line of apes being much more than "animals". The "humanity", for lack of a better word, with which they imbue these apes is stellar.
Also, it's good to see that the conflict isn't necessarily one-dimensional. With the exception of a couple of close-minded humans, the struggle within Dreyfus to save humanity feels real (even if there's a desire for revenge buried beneath it all). But Oldman is a master and he plays it all too well. He's probably my favorite character of the film, and maybe the trilogy. Clarke does a solid job as the straight man, and his family does what's necessary to draw our empathy.
As is usual with many big CGI-heavy films, I might have some slight issues with the climatic fight, but I think this is one of the best examples of the bunch. Although there's a good dose of big explosions and big stuff falling, it doesn't overshadow the main storyline about the duality between humans and apes, and what each of them are and want. Even if they're animals, they don't look or feel like it. Unfortunately, even if they don't want a war, they will get it.
Grade:
DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
(2014, Reeves)
(2014, Reeves)
Malcolm: "I've seen things. I've seen the way they are. They want what we want, to survive. They don't want a war."
Dreyfus: "They're animals! They attacked us!"
Dreyfus: "They're animals! They attacked us!"
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes follows the growing tension between the surviving humans and the increasing and evolving ape community led by Caesar (Andy Serkis). Set 10 years after the events of Rise, it follows a new group of humans led by Dreyfus (Gary Oldman) and Malcolm (Jason Clarke), both of which have differing views about how to handle the apes pushing them to decide between conflict and war, or a tense truce with the "animals". Meanwhile, Caesar also has to deal with unrest within his own group.
This is probably the third or fourth time I watch this, and I've always held it up as the best of the trilogy. A recent rewatch of Rise closed the gap, but this one remains the superior one. Even though we have to acclimate ourselves to new human characters, Clarke, Keri Russell, and especially Oldman do a great job. However, it is the wonderful job of Serkis and the VFX team what keeps pushing that through line of apes being much more than "animals". The "humanity", for lack of a better word, with which they imbue these apes is stellar.
Also, it's good to see that the conflict isn't necessarily one-dimensional. With the exception of a couple of close-minded humans, the struggle within Dreyfus to save humanity feels real (even if there's a desire for revenge buried beneath it all). But Oldman is a master and he plays it all too well. He's probably my favorite character of the film, and maybe the trilogy. Clarke does a solid job as the straight man, and his family does what's necessary to draw our empathy.
As is usual with many big CGI-heavy films, I might have some slight issues with the climatic fight, but I think this is one of the best examples of the bunch. Although there's a good dose of big explosions and big stuff falling, it doesn't overshadow the main storyline about the duality between humans and apes, and what each of them are and want. Even if they're animals, they don't look or feel like it. Unfortunately, even if they don't want a war, they will get it.
Grade: