Rise of the planet of the apes

Television, Movies Games and Books Other Science Fiction
#21

This Rose to the occasion:

I had no desire to see this until I saw the trailer with John Lithgow in it, until then I had assumed this would be an effects laden reboot of the series with lots of action and no soul. But when I saw the interaction between Lithgow and Caesar I was hooked.

Sure some of the story is predictable and I guess poor old Tom Felton is going to be cast as an asshole for the rest of his life. But WETA and Serkis did a great job of getting the CG creatures to emote, and the writer puts you emotionally through the wringer. And by the time the revolt takes place you cannot help but sympathize.

The relationships between characters are great, and the director did a wonderful job of quickly bringing Caesar to life and transitioning the audience through his childhood in an expedient and entertaining manner. I was emotionally invested in the characters in no time at all and willfully went along for the ride.

One of the scenes that hit me the hardest was when Caesar shows Lithgow how to properly hold his fork at the dinner table, and then exchanges a knowing look with Franco. I, like thousands of others have had one of those experiences myself, there is nothing worse than watching a member of your family slowly deteriorate in front of your eyes and feeling helpless to do anything about it.

The revolt is cleverly executed, refreshingly bloodless and far more believable than the original. Though we must remember that the original was a product of its time and appropriate for the state of our society, it was a reflection of what we were going through as a nation. I will avoid saying anything else directly involving the film so as not to reveal any spoilers.

But that there is good motivation for the characters to do what they do, and do not get up right away when the end credits start there is more… And it explains why the Apes rise and man falls.

#22

I wholeheartedly agree with you on this scene. That scene alone should get Serkis a nod for an Oscar. I love all the nods to the 1968 version as well. From names to events that reference the original and setup sequels (yes plural) that will certainly grok with the original films.

#23

I was pretty much blown away by the awesome of this movie too…it was modernized, kept the feel of the originals (screw you Tim Burton, i hope someone as this goes along updates and wipes that from the continuity of this series)…and there were 3-4 scenes that just gave you CHILLS…

without spoiling it for anyone who didn’t go yet, and anyone who DID see it knows what I mean…

“NOOOOOOOO!”

Tell me you didn’t jump out of your seat and go DAMN!!!

#24

Question:

Here’s my concern: I feel like since I’ve seen the previews, I’ve practically seen the whole movie. Or I’ve at least seen all the major plot points and arc unfold. Laudable performances aside, is there more to it?

#25

The character interactions & relationships are something that can never be covered properly in a teaser.
Also, half the movie is invested in the ape point of view & various ape-to-ape relationships. Remember in the franchise that the apes depicted in the movies are of various species.

PS This is the elephant in the room, but a comparison to the BSG mythos is bound to get mentioned sooner or later. Just transpose the Cylons for the apes.

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#26

I imagine the sequel would involve a kind of “Walking Dead” type of story beat as a major subplot.

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#27

Unsurprisingly, my entire workplace (hi, I work in a research lab :stuck_out_tongue: ) wants to see this. Since I doubt the boss will take us out to lunch and a movie, I need to see about negotiating with my incredibly unenthusiastic husband to see it next weekend. Glad to see the reviews are mostly positive so far!

#28

I was speaking to a friend of mine that saw the original in 1968 in a theater back in her 20’s after getting back from Woodstock. She told me the audiences reaction when the Apes first appeared in that film was very much like my reaction to the scene you mention. That and “Is Home” parts both shocked me. They were unexpected and excellent.

#29

I’m thinking it will be more like Battle For The Planet Of The Apes to be honest.

#30

The previews honestly give very little away.

#31

To be sure; there were 2 viruses going on. Can’t reveal anymore spoilers… But I don’t think the humans would be in a position to put much of a fight as the sequel develops

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#32

I ended up seeing it again last night…stopped in Ohio on my way back to NJ, and my gracious host wanted to see it and I was like hell yeah…and I noticed this the second time around… (CMON Spoiler-Tags!)

[SPOILER]They had two scenes that rolled into each other that seemed to make no sense in the movie… they show a manned space flight going to Mars on the News on the TV in the background…I was like ok…sure…then when the apes are loose and going through the town "the really cool scene with the leaves everywhere…they show a newspaper on the ground with the Headline “LOST IN SPACE”…and as I was leaving the theater…it hits me…OH YEAH, they’re paralleling the story of the Planet of the Apes…the Mars mission is the Astronauts that end up in the future!!![/SPOILER]

Any one else catch that???

#33

Dunno how you could miss it lol

#34

I felt EXACTLY the same way but it’s really the journey not the plot points for this flick. Plus you don’t REALLY know what’s going on from the trailer. It’s a little more involved.

#35

Thanx… it’s on my list now.

After seeing the trailers, I’d joked that regardless of how it was, I’d be satisfied if one of the apes threw an axe at the screen every 5-10 minutes. Then the new round of trailers has the manhole-cover toss. So I guess I’m honor-bound to see what else the apes will throw…

#36

I got distracted by the scene with the pretty leaves!!! I was talking about it the 2nd time I saw it with who I went with, she didn’t catch it and three people behind me went OH YEAH!

#37

Or miss this…

[spoiler]The name of the spacecraft is Icarus, same as the spacecraft that the characters in the 1968 movie crash land in…[/spoiler]

#38

Well…

[spoiler]In the end there is only one virus in the wild, the ALZ113 aerosol version, as ALZ112 was used up on the father. That version will spread intelligence rapidly among the apes and kill off most of humanity. On AICN the director talked about sequels including a Saving Private Ryan/Full Metal Jacket type of story - very Battle Of The Planet Of The Apes, and that Humans would live underground and wouldn’t come up without gas masks, much like the mutants first seen in Beneath The Planet Of The Apes. Perhaps the showing of the Icarus in this film means that this series is in the 1968 continuity up to that film and everthing after it has been retconned with just this film. We’ll all find out if they have a character named Mendez of course[/spoiler]

#39

I shouldn’t have waited so long. Rise of the Planet of the Apes is frakkin’ awesome. If you’re remotely inclined, go so see it. It will not disappoint.

#40

^^^ What Smck said. On both counts.

Finally, a movie that what clearly made by fans who GET IT.