Oh Hail Caesar!

Rating: 9/10 (9 August 2011)

I heard good reviews about this movie so I decided to check it out for myself knowing that this is most likely the last wistful movie of summer 2011 for me.
Acting: The animated apes were far more superior in the acting department compared to the human actors. However, that does not mean that James Franco and the rest of the casts were abysmal. They were pretty good, since I expected less from Franco as a scientist. He always seemed like a druggie or sleepy lately (no offense to his fans). Though, he was passable or believable as a scientist. On the other hand, Freida Pinto did not do anything really. They could have chosen any female actress to do her part. She was unnecessary. I thought John Lithgow was good in his role. He played it naturally... ha-ha not that I'm saying he's like that in real life. Tom Felton was also annoying like usual. He always plays this dumb bully that everybody would like to punch at the end. Hence, it's not such a huge diversion from what he normally does, but once again, it works here.
However, the focus of the movie was not directed towards Franco, Pinto, Lithgow or Felton. It was towards the apes. The Weta Production. Caesar was an extremely powerful character. He makes you root for him. He makes you feel for him. He makes you want to become a chimpanzee. And if a chimpanzee can make you feel that much, then boy, he can scoot over half of the actors today. He did not need to talk or say anything... just his emotions alone amplifies his needs. His movements were like those of real apes. He's actually the only ape that has that much emotion in his eyes, like those of humans. He's one of the best characters created this year and rarely do I feel this much for an animated character.
9/10 (lets say Caesar is also a human)
Plot: There was nothing newly significant in the plot, but it's still a highly driven story. It builds up to the climax and at some point near the end of the film where all the apes surpasses the humans' wits at the bridge, epicness just oozes out. I actually felt for the apes. I wanted to protect them just as much as Will did.
Also, it's a lot more believable than the previous Planet of the Apes movies. And no, that does not mean that I believe apes will take over the world someday. I just thought they way they made the intellectual apes think was believable.
On the other hand, I did not buy Franco and Pinto's relationship. It felt forced and unnecessary. I know that she was a partial reason for Will and Caesar to grow apart, but it just felt too convenient. They met at the zoo. I mean c'mon!
8/10
Special Effects: The special effects is no where as near as Avatar. Most of the monkeys looked fake. By this I mean that you were able to differentiate what was real and not. However, their natural movements and emotion on their faces made up for it. I thought the action scene at the end was quite awesome. There was not a lot of action, but it felt real in that moment... even the apes/monkeys.
8/10
Entertainment: I had loads of fun with this movie. I actually didn't want it to end. I was happy that Caesar did not die. That would have been cheesy. I thought it was easier to buy on the idea of how this whole idea of apes ruling the world might into play. The previous movies did not show this and I'm glad this one did. I am also glad that they left the ending open for a sequel. The whole movie felt refreshing even though the idea has already been around and recycled. The 105 minutes went by too quickly. I'll be waiting for the sequel!
9/10