Directed by Matt Reeves
Written by Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver
Starring Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman
‘A Sequel that Exceeds Expectations’
Great movie sequels are rare to come across these days. Especially if their predecessors are successful hits. When a movie does well at the box-office, a sequel is immediately in the works. For studios it’s a no-brainer to make these films because no matter what they always produce money. Yet, for audiences, the results can be hard to predict. A sequel can either live up to their grand expectations or leave them in a feeling of severe disappointment.
In a Summer Season that’s so far proven to be the latter for movie-goers, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is that special sequel that completely lives up to expectations. An emotionally involving, exciting and suspenseful follow-up to 2011’s surprise success, it’s a film that breathes fresh life into what has proven to be a let-down year for blockbusters. Sequels, in particular, have been nothing more than excuses to grab cash out of your pocket. Wait a second…but isn’t that their purpose? Although sitting number one on box-office charts is an achievement, filmmakers have proven over the years that these movies can be more than just cash-ins. If a movie is good but has the potential to be better, a sequel can offer improvements. Brilliantly acted, wonderfully directed and a groundbreaking step forward for visual effects, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” improves in every single way on it’s predecessor.
Starring Andy Serkis in the lead role, this sequel follows the journey of Caesar the ape 10 years after the events of the last film. A deadly virus clashes his clan of apes against a group of human survivors in a final battle for survival.
How great this sequel is immediately becomes clear once it begins. Right of the bat, this movie establishes itself as one of the best of the year through a stunning opening shot. A frightening close-up of an ape’s face in the middle of a thunderstorm, it grabs your attention in a way that movies these days rarely ever do. Usually, movies take their time to engage your attention through character development or an interesting story. “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”, however, is an exception. In it’s first few minutes, the catchy music, meticulous visual effects and goose-bump worthy atmosphere transport you to another world. And from here on in, this Summer pop-corn flick has already delivered the goods.
In fact, calling it a pop-corn flick may be an understatement. What director Matt Reeves along with a hugely talented cast have accomplished here is crafting a blockbuster that’s as entertaining as it is emotional. Surprised? So am I. It’s an unusual combination, one that doesn’t seem like it will work on paper, especially for a big-budget Summer blockbuster. Count in the fact that it’s a movie about talking apes, and it seems like nothing more than turn-off-your-brain entertainment.
However, if there’s any director in Hollywood who has the guts to think outside the box, it’s Matt Reeves. At a first glance, that last thing you would expect from a movie where apes ride horses, would be emotion. Yet, refreshingly enough, that’s one of the biggest surprises “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” has to offer this Summer season. In the midst of all the dumb superhero movies, no-brainer comedies and throwaway franchise-films that have been released this year, this is a film with real heart. Apart from the pop-corn thrills that are usually expected with these types of movies, director Matt Reeves weaves together a moving story sure to stay with you long after you exit the theater.
It’s also hard not to mention the fantastic performances, which elevate the film to another level. Whilst “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” payed more to attention to the apes over the humans, in this sequel both are brought to life by talented actors.
Andy Serkis continues his magical streak of motion-capture performances with Caesar, yet another compelling addition to a list of CGI creations. From intense eye movements to natural mannerisms, never has any actor seemed so fit for a specific role. Though ignored in the past by awards ceremonies, this kind of a performance makes it likely that Serkis will earn a long deserved statue of gold.
Jason Clarke has come a long way ever since his over-dramatic turn in “The Great Gatsby” last year. Stepping out of his comfort zone, he gives a performance of great warmth and humanity. Playing the leader of the human survivors is quite a challenging role, especially when you take into account that this a movie about apes. Yet, like the determined captain of a Soccer team, he holds his own while bringing out the best in others. It’s the sign of an actor who has a bright future ahead of him in the industry.
In the supporting cast, there are many notable performers that deserve attention, particularly Gary Oldman as an emotionally devastated leader and Toby Kennel as a seriously intimidating ape. Despite limited screen time, these actors prove themselves to be at the top of their game.
The action sequences couldn’t have been better either. Breathtaking in scope and scale, they each are added into the film for a specific reason. Whether it’s to show the authority that Caesar has a leader over the other apes, or the clever way apes deceive humans through humor, these scenes are crafted with a sharp eye for detail. For a genre in which action scenes are normally a collage of “BOOM” and “BANG” explosions that give you a headache, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is refreshingly different. And if there’s any director in the world who is an expert at pulling them off, it’s Matt Reeves.
Yet, in the end, it’s hard to deny that the film belongs to the apes. A powerful force of nature, their presence give the film an edge over recent blockbusters that have been released this year. Not only are these animals a marvel in visual effects and CGI, as characters they are equally as interesting as the human beings.
Although it comes with the cost of a long running time that’s more exhausting than exciting, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is still one of the must-see movies of the year. If you had told me about a month ago that a movie about talking apes would be among the best of the year, I would have raised my eyebrows in disbelief. Yet, as they say, you can never judge a book by it’s cover.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 
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