Not without flaws, but overall quite potent and entertaining.

Rating: 7/10 (22 July 2017)

An iconic series is brought into the 21st century with engaging results. Starting from square one, it shows how a dedicated researcher, Will Rodman (James Franco), is desperate to create a cure for Alzheimers', which is afflicting his father (ever solid John Lithgow). He is experimenting on chimpanzees, and the ultimate result is a super intelligent chimp whom he names Caesar (motion capture expert Andy Serkis). Caesar ends up in an animal shelter where he is treated terribly by a sadistic employee (Tom Felton of the "Harry Potter" series). He ends up so disillusioned with the human race that he motivates his fellow primates to stage an uprising.
For quite a while, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is so emotionally involving, and riveting, that it really keeps you watching. You genuinely sympathize with a lot of the characters, and also naturally come to hate characters such as a stereotypically greedy corporation bigwig (David Oyelowo), the nasty Dodge (Felton), and the hostile neighbor Hunsiker (David Hewlett). The apes may be digitally rendered in what is now standard practice, but thanks to the human actors helping to bring them to life, you can see a definite depth of emotion in their eyes and expressions. Serkis has certainly become an absolute master at this brand of performing.
The film does go a little heavy on the effects, and may strike some people as being pretty manipulative. Still, there's no denying its potency, which does help to make up for any drawbacks, such as the over the top, utterly conventional action climax.
Franco does a decent job in the lead, but Freida Pinto is given little to do as his love interest. Lithgow does an excellent job, as could be expected. Overall, the human cast does creditable work: Brian Cox, Tyler Labine, Jamie Harris, Ty Olsson, etc.
What will be fun for veteran fans of this series will be the little nods to previous movies along the way, including THAT legendary line of dialogue from Charlton Heston.
Seven out of 10.