Totally Awesome!

Rating: 10/10 (10 August 2011)

Going in to the theater, I was fairly ambivalent about seeing this film at all: I came for Tom Felton and James Franco ;) However, I found I was pleasantly surprised and actually loved this movie. I've never seen any of the original Apes movies, just the 2001 version, so I didn't have many expectations, but this movie just shattered everything I thought it might be. First, the acting was great! Especially James Fraco, he was amazing. Second, the computer generated effects on the apes were exceedingly well done. Third, and most importantly, was the actual film itself. It was honestly heartrending. I wanted to root for humanity, but the level of injustice they exacted upon the apes prevented this. I wanted to root for the apes, but their vindictiveness and superiority complexes prevented this as well. Yet, I also wanted to root for both sides because of the emotional attachment that grew towards so many of the characters, human and ape. Everything was just so beautifully rendered; I honestly was so stricken at some scenes that I teared up (not that the doesn't happen quite often, but I didn't expect it for a film like this). To conclude: This film is an all around great one that I would recommend to everyone, even if you don't really think it's your thing.