Brilliant re-telling/Prequel that is one of the best movies of the summer!

Rating: Null/10 (16 August 2011)

I adore the original Planet of The Apes films, all of them, though it has been a few years since I've seen them. I started hearing great reviews for this one which is always a surprise for a Summer blockbuster especially in August where the lesser films are often released. On a whim and because it started at the right time I went into Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes and was met with a fantastic film! The special effects are brilliant and I rarely say that about a film that features almost entirely CGI graphics for its core effects but they are so well done. I'm still not sure about the accuracy of the ape behaviour before becoming so intelligent, sometimes they seem a little more entertaining than actual chimps but regardless it is amazing CGI. The character of Cesar (played by the master of the CGI performance Andy Serkis) is absolutely mind blowing. His eyes are so emotion filled, and you will literally just connect with him on a whole new level. The film also does an amazing job of playing homage to the original series (something Burton's remake tried) but this film has some really great Easter Eggs (my favourite being the Get your damn hands off me you dirty ape.) This film will make you laugh, literally cry, and feel anger and excitement and really does capture everything the original film did so many years ago.
James Franco needs no introduction. The acclaimed actor who has literally done everything in sight and continues to headlines the cast as brilliant scientist Will Rodman. Franco plays his character subtly and while he doesn't get quite the depth we might be used to with some of Franco's character he is perfect in the lead. An everyman who happens to be brilliant and emotional. John Lithgow is a master of his craft from hilarious slapstick comedy (Third Rock From The Sun) to brilliant killers and dark dramas. He is a versatile actor and will be a legend someday if he isn't already. In this film he will break your heart as Franco's father who suffers from late stage Alzheimers. I would have actually liked to have seen more from him in the film as he steals every scene he is in. Tom Felton is in many ways your primary villain. I felt like at times his role was a little cheesy and overdone as the 'bully' but at the same time he gets some of the great lines, and you really will hate him with a passion until he gets what is coming to him. I did not even recognize him as the same youngster that played Draco Malfoy in the Harry Potter series so this should help him shake that role. David Oyelowo plays a rather stereotypical money/fame hungry boss for Franco. He's good for what they give him. Freida Pinto plays a small role as Franco's love interest over the course of several years. She's affectionate and a necessary part of the overall story but her character is plugged in there to add nothing more than a romance aspect to the film.
This film is so close to being a ten for me. Where it fell short was the few performances that did not live up to that of Franco and Lithgow (Pinto, and Oyelowo) who felt underdeveloped to the story and not realistic enough for me. Also the ending of the film didn't have the knock out pizazz I had hoped for. I mean many people hated Burton's Planet of The Apes but at least he went for a shocker of an ending. Rise of The Planet Of The Apes just sort of ends. It wraps everything up neatly enough but I hungered for more. Sequel pleeease! Rupert Wyatt seems to be getting terrific reviews as director of the film. Wyatt clearly shows a terrific story telling ability and has a great handle on the Apes series and what it means to people. The film has such a morose tone at times watching Cesar suffer through his prison like existence and coming to terms with what or who he is. And also watching him lead his revolution, create this army and become smarter and smarter. Andy Serkis makes his character of Cesar the absolutely brilliant focal point of the film. It's Prison Break for Apes, and the whole thing builds to this immensely climatic moment where Cesar speaks for the first time. It will literally move you. The original Planet film actually fit Political and social commentary into the science fiction masterpiece and you can plainly see that this one does the same. The film has plenty to say under the skin about man's treatment of animals, man's treatment of their own kind and disease, and also social climate as we watch these apes revolutionize and revolt. This is a must see film and is sure to be considered one of the best perhaps of the year I hope because it is one of the best of the summer hands down!! 9/10