Dawn of the Planet of the Apes - Analysis and Review

"Apes, together...STRONG!"

The unexpected hit known as Rise of the Planet of the Apes gave way for the arrival of this film. A powerful story with a powerful character who is not even human.

Plot

It has been 10 years since the Simian Flu has wiped out most of the human race. Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his apes have evolved due to the side effects of the drug that created the Simian flu. They're now a flourishing community that is slowly becoming a highly intelligent species. However when the first humans in two years enter the picture, the gears of war silently begin to turn. And only Caesar and the human Malcolm (Jason Clarke) can hope to stop it.

Analysis

A story is everything. A message is everything. Both need to go hand in hand together. And when it is found in a blockbuster, that is something to truly behold. It is a common belief to think that summer blockbusters just need to be fun with style over substance. That doesn't mean that there is no substance, it just isn't what makes a blockbuster. The Planet of the Apes series is not blockbuster material. I'm talking about the original series. These were hardcore science fiction films dealing with the race issues, the dangers of nuclear weapons, inevitability of the end. It was grim yet had a slight flair of entertainment value that can veer into blockbuster territory. I still believe that the current Apes films are not really summer blockbusters. They are films, promoted as summer blockbusters that deliver enough thrills to make people believe it is a blockbuster when it really isn't. That's not to say none of the Planet of the Apes films have been blockbusters. 

Tim Burton's Planet of the Apes was a blockbuster. Because it had style and no substance. Remember what I said about blockbusters being style over substance? Well, that substance may not be important but it has to be there. Burton's film did not have substance. While it succeeds as a blockbuster in terms of box office, in terms of being intelligent it fails. Why would I want a blockbuster to be intelligent? Especially if Tim Burton was one of my favorite directors? Well, because the movie he was remaking was based on an intelligent movie. A powerful movie. The makeup effects in Burton's film were superior thanks to Rick Baker, but even great makeup can't cover up a movie with no substance. I enjoy the movie as a sci-fi B-movie throwback but since it is a remake of a smart film, one would hope that the film would live up to that intelligence. Luckily this new series begun by Rupert Wyatt and now helmed by Matt Reeeves does just that.

Review

The first thing to get out of the way is Andy Serkis. The man is ridiculously talented and deserves a lot of recognition for what he has done for not only this film but for the industry as a whole. His portrayal of Caesar is amplified not only by his performance but with the thousands of animators who dedicated their time to ensure that we can see his performance merge organically with the chimp leader. His contribution to Motion Capture and how it has grown into a legitimate acting art form cannot be ignored. It shows from how he was able to guide the other actors in this film in how to embrace the technology to become an extension of themselves rather than just a special effect. It shows especially for actor Toby Kebbell who becomes the tragic antagonist Koba in a performance that can even rival the king of motion capture. Their performances as two apes with the same ideals but different ways of going about it really is the drive of the film. There are moment when you forget this they are CGI rigged to actors but rather actual living breathing chimpanzees that can act. It truly is an amazing thing to behold.

The second thing to mention is the story and the theme of the movie. It is very rare for something to be billed as a blockbuster to have an incredible yet simplistic story that makes its theme known but never as something that is hit over the head. The theme being misinformation can lead to disaster. There is good in both apes and humans, but where there is good there is also the potential for evil. Because of that potential, sometimes it overshadows the idea of good for both sides. It is what makes the film compelling in that there is no clear cut apes are good and humans are bad. In this film both sides are to blame for what will eventually lead to one side returning to savagery and the other rising to power. 

As powerful as Caesar and Koba are along with the story that is driven by both of them, they are unfortunately the only strong well rounded characters of the movie supported by one dimensional characters. That's not to say that is a bad thing, because the human cast played by Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, and Gary Oldman were great with the roles they were given. They served the story naturally and Clarke's Malcolm is a great surrogate for James Franco's character in the previous film. And while there is small hints of other dimensions to their characters, in the end all of them still appear one-dimensional. Which is a shame because they were all fantastic with what they're given. Even the unknown actors who support them.

It is a shame to also say that the other apes aren't really given much to work with either. The only big name among the apes that might be known to some is actress Judy Greer who plays Caesar's wife Cornelia. She doesn't do much but her presence adds a lot to the idea of family. But one cannot deny that they are all amazing.

Final Thoughts

This is one of the best movies this summer and definitely a film that is masquerading as a blockbuster. It has heart, it has soul, it has story and it has flaws. The flaws prevent it from being the best of the summer, but there is no denying that this is definitely The Dark Knight of the rebooted Planet of the Apes series.

SCORE: 8.5/10 - HAIL CAESAR!!!