An Interesting Movie, But Probably Not What You Expect

Rating: 7/10 (14 August 2011)

Before I get into the review, I must say I am impressed by Fox's idea of a new version of this movie, and I also think highly of the way the apes look and their expressions in this movie. A great job done by Andy Serkis to fully capture Caesar's emotions and truly portray exactly what he goes through. He is almost guaranteed to be snubbed for an Oscar, but he certainly deserves a nomination and he is the main character in this movie. This is his best motion capture acting performance since Gollum in the Lord of the Rings, and he is the true highlight of the technology that went into making the apes look realistic.
James Franco doesn't work in this movie. It is almost like he just showed up for work and read his lines. He tries to be a scientist but also tries to be a cool, normal Aron Rolston type guy that just doesn't fit together. But it's not his fault. The way his character is written is not focused enough to make Franco's scientist job seem real. It isn't the greatest balance of two dimensions.
Another awesome thing in the movie creates a problem. The apes have great emotions and the screenwriters did a great job and making them become the protagonists and making them more likable than the humans. However, while they are focused on the apes, James Franco and Freida Pinto almost do nothing, and their characters almost feel unneeded in order to continue the plot. Characters such as Tom Felton's and Brian Cox's are nasty enough to like the apes, but characters like James Franco and Freida Pinto aren't enough to give the humans any credibility, and it would have been nice to see those two have bigger, more hero-inspiring roles.
My last few notes, it's a solid reboot with action that is good enough to see in a theatre, and if you are a big Planet of the Apes fan from the past, you will love the references throughout the movie. You might smirk once from one of the more obvious references but overall, take them as a bonus treat to the adventure! The story feels hollow at times, but it's good enough to share an experience with the viewers.