Enjoyable

Rating: 8/10 (2 August 2014)

Definitely a great film.
It begins not necessarily slowly, but calmly, with a slight bit of tension surrounding the future of James' father. It handles topics such as Alzheimer's with respect and compassion, along with a stunning acting performance, the best one in the movie I would say. Due to the discovery of a cure for Alzheimer's and the way in which an ape become a genius I wouldn't go as far as to say that it was a normal introduction. Being a sci-fi film, it was always going to stray from normality. It was a fictitious yet at the same time believable introduction enclosed in relatively calm surroundings. That's the best way I could put it.
In my opinion they rushed the introduction, with the years passing by a little too quickly for my liking. Caesar was gone too quickly, rushed off into the second stage of the film. The stage where man showcases his cruelty.
It is very well done. The juxtaposition of Caesar's 'luxurious' upbringing with the harsh reality of enclosures. Tom Felton was brilliant as Draco. Oh wait no... different movie, same sneering, vicious character. It may get difficult for him to shake that reputation off. Anyway, it was well- done, providing just the right amount of sympathy for Caesar and just the right amount of hatred against man. My favourite scene has to be where Caesar first speaks. The yell itself was, well, very nice, and the stunned silence that followed was absolutely fantastic. It replicated my emotions at that point. I know a lot of people believe that, despite it being a sci-fi film, that scene is preposterous (as Caesar doesn't have a voice box). I understand where they are coming from, but only because I read their reviews. I didn't think of it at the time. I'm sure it may be possible though, in some obscure way. Anyway, Malfoy gets killed after his little zapper meets a big hose (questionable) and all the apes escape (or should I say escAPE!. Sorry)
A quick stop to the zoo to pick up some reinforcements who somehow are clever enough to follow orders despite not being given the magic drug, and then the apes are on their way, showcasing San Francisco in the best way possible (i.e. by going to the Golden Gate Bridge). Then, following some timely heavy fog, the action begins. The apes disperse through the timely heavy fog and get shot at by the police as James Franco positions himself in the middle of it all, protecting himself admirably with a Ford Fiesta (or whatever it was).
The battle ends, the monkeys flee and Caesar and James share a heartfelt goodbye before going their separate ways. That brings an end to the film, which was mostly well-written and well-acted and certainly very enjoyable. Now it's time for us all to die from a rapidly-spreading virus. Hooray!