"Nooo!!!"

Rating: 9/10 (22 February 2012)

I've been a fan of Planet of the Apes since I saw the original with Charlton Heston as a child. Since then, I saw to it that I see each and every last one of the films, and I've done so. Though they got zanier and zanier as time went on, I still found the science-fiction enjoyable regardless. I mean they had some interesting, though I'm not denying cheesy, plots to watch. Then came the 2001 Tim Burton re-make, which I'll admit was an enjoyable film all in all. The problem was it dared to actually call itself a re-make, even though it was a mere action-thrill ride sort of film. That's not bad on its own, but compared to the original one can't help but complain. Why, well mainly because the original had so much going on in-between the lines, it was a very thought provoking film which is why so many regard as it as a masterpiece.
This film thankfully does not aim to be a re-make, at least not directly. If you're a fan such as I then you'll know its premise is very similar to the 1972 film "Conquest of the Planet of the Apes", though there NOT linked directly. This is need I remind you a reboot. Director Rupert Wyatt creates a nicely paced plot, not as subtle as the original but not a mindless-action oriented as Burton's film, a nice middle ground. Although it doesn't exactly dwell on the inner demons of humanity, the film does deliver emotionally and that's probably its strongest point. Like the 2001 film, the effects are dazzling, but are put to much better use. Andy Serkis, not surprisingly, plays the role of Creaser and quite well. The animators made sure to pay attention to the facial detail, sealing the deal with a nice range of emotions. The cast is also well done, with the likes of James Franco, John Lithgow, Fireda Pinto and (YES!) Brian Cox. The tension is carried out perfectly and the homages are a great touch. Like the early 90s Batman films compared to the new Nolan films, today's audience require a decent level of realism, and the film handles this quite awesomely. The concept of super intelligent apes rioting in our streets never has been so well depicted.
Definitely check this one out, total A.