Surprisingly Great Prequel

Rating: 8/10 (18 February 2012)

In San Francisco, the scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) has been researching for almost six years in the Gen Sys Company the ALZ 112 drug in chimpanzees expecting to find the cure to the Alzheimer since his father Charles Rodman (John Lithgow) has been deteriorating with the disease.
When a subject ape increases its intelligence, Will brings the results of his experiment to his greedy chief, Steven Jacobs (David Oyelowo), requesting to use the experimental drug in a human subject. However, his chimpanzee becomes aggressive and is murdered by a security guard. Sooner Will finds that the animal had had an offspring and its change of behavior was actually intended to protect its offspring.
Will hides the chimpanzee Caesar and brings it home, raising the animal that has a high IQ like a son. He also gives the drug to his father that recovers from the Alzheimer. When Caesar protects Charles from a neighbor, the court sends the animal to a shelter, where Caesar is imprisoned and abused by the sadistic guard. Will and his girlfriend Caroline Aranha (Freida Pinto) appeal but Caesar defends the other apes and becomes a leader among his fellow inmates. Sooner he gives the experimental drug 113, which is lethal for mankind, to the other chimpanzees and organizes a rebellion against the humans.
I was reluctant to see "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", expecting to see a commercial blockbuster prequel to the classical franchise. However, friends of mine have told me that it would be worthwhile watching this film and today I have just watched it on DVD.
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is indeed a great prequel to "Planet of the Apes', with an excellent story and a screenplay without plot holes. Unfortunately there are explosions in the end of the story and exaggeration in the number of apes that escape from the "sanctuary" managed by John Landon, performed by Brian Cox. The DVD is very poor and does not offer any Extras, but there is an important scene entwined in the credits. My vote is eight.
Title (Brazil): "Planeta dos Macacos: A Origem" ("Planet of the Apes: The Origin")