DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Reviewed by Patrick Gibbs

GRADE: A +
Andy Serkiss, Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, Gary Oldman, Toby Koebell, Judy Greer, Kodi Smit-McPhee
Screenplay by  Mark Bomback and Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver
Directed by Matt Reeves

No one expected that much out of 2011's  Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes. As the press screening I went to began, everyone was making lame monkey jokes and referencing Tim Burton's wretched remake. I was entranced from the beginning, but I wondered if anyone else was. But at the moment when Andy Serkiss as Caesar said "NOOOOO!" there was an audible gasp that went through the crowd, made up entirely of often cynical members of the press. The studio rep told me after the movie that EVERY critic had said exactly the same thing I did to her. "The others may make fun of me for saying this, but I think it was a great film."

Whether this movie could possibly sustain a sequel was good question. A huge part of the appeal of Rise was the fact that the apes got to be the good guys, and the further we get into the story and the human race is wiped out or subjugated, the harder that would be. In addition, the announcement that director Rupert Wyatt  would not be returning was cause for concern. As it turns out, there was no need.

Dawn picks up a number of years later,  as human civilization has collapsed in the wake of the ALZ-113 virus, or "Simian Flu." A middle aged Caesar now leads and governs a new generation of apes, as well as most of his comrades from the first film, including Maurice the Orangutan, Rocket, and Koba (played this time by Toby Koebbell), the abused chimpanzee rescued from a science lab. Caesar's wife Cornelia has given birth to a son.


The film opens with a montage of news reports showing the collapse of human civilization in the wake of the ALZ-113 virus. A middle aged Caesar now leads and governs a new generation of apes, including some of his comrades from the ape sanctuary. Caesar leads the apes on a hunting party for deer, where his adolescent son is scarred by an attacking grizzly bear. Caesar is summoned to his home in the new ape city in the Muir Woods, where his wife has given birth to a newborn son. After ten years without contact with humans, a small party of survivors from San Francisco come across the apes. After one of their members panics, shooting and wounding a young ape, Caesar leads the apes to the human settlement and forbids them from entering the woods.

The party's leader, Malcolm (Jason Clarke, best known for Zero Dark Thirty), convinces the human leader Dreyfus to give him three days to make peace with the apes to gain access to a hydroelectric generator at a dam in their territory, which could provide power to the city. Dreyfus is distrustful of the apes, and begins to arm the survivors in preparation for war. Meanwhile, Caesar's lieutenant Koba , who had been experimented upon by humans in the past, encourages Caesar to wipe out the humans while they are desperate. Caesar, seeing a chance for peace with the humans, agrees to allow Malcolm access to the dam. As Malcolm, his wife and son work on the generator, they begin to form a bond with the apes, despite several tense situations arising from the mutual distrust of both sides.

The performances are of the highest caliber all around, especially from Serkiss and Koebell. Far lesser performances than these have won Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor Oscars, and if these two are not recognized it will be hard to take the Oscars seriously (as if it isn't already.). Motion capture acting has become an established art form, and while the effects play a big part in the movie, the performances underneath are no less praiseworthy. The relationship between Caesar and Koba is deeper than any other protagonist/antagonist in summer blockbuster since . . . well, frankly, I can't think of a summer blockbuster worthy of comparison. Koba is a little reminiscent of Wes Studi's memorable portrayal of Magua in The Last Of The Mohicans, but there is an added weight given by the close relationship and even sense of kinship between Koba and Caesar. Keobbel's performance is up there with Heath Ledger inThe Dark Knight, but in this case we understand exactly what made our villain into what he is, and while his actions horrify us, out hearts break for him.

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is the most impressive achievement in visual effects in a long time, rivaling even Gravity and Life Of Pi, but it is also great drama; a Shakespearean tragedy with apes, if you will. It is a profound work of art that explores the struggle between good and evil, and the nature of humanity (and it's ancestors) in ways that will stay with you for some time. The parallels between the humans and the apes and the treatment of Native Americans and Africans at the hands of the Western world are undeniable but never heavy handed and obvious in a Avatar kind of way, and we get to see that as they evolve, the apes develop both the best and worst tendencies of human nature.  This is thought provoking, insightful and moving storytelling, the likes of which we simply don't see in summer blockbusters. 

Director Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) crafts the film with an expert hand, and is likely to become a major Hollywood power player, Michael Seresin's moody cinematography is beautiful and harshly atmospheric, and Michael Giacchino's score is haunting and intense.

But in the end, the biggest triumph comes down to Serkiss and Koebell, and I cannot overstate how good they are together. All of these elements mix together for not only the best film of the summer, but in all likelihood, the best of 20014. This is the kind of film that says good enough is never good enough, and raises the bar for everyone else making blockbusters.

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is rated PG-13 for quite a bit of violence (not graphic but some of it quite disturbing), some profanity (including one F-word), and dramatic themes.