“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011) – James Franco’s Phenomenal Planet of the Apes Reboot

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Starring: James Franco, Frieda Pinto and Andy Serkis

‘A Captivating Apes Classic’

Not many actors that achieved fame countless years ago are as celebrated as James Franco. Since his rise to stardom in the 2000’s, Franco has become a beloved icon. Whether it’s men seeking to survive disasters, ape caretakers or fantastical wizards, Franco has played several strong characters. Arguably, Franco’s greatest strength as an actor has often been his strong commitment. He is one of those rare stars that has often poured his heart and soul into each role. Franco has never been afraid of taking a risk in his career by playing painful characters facing a heavy burden to bear. Through ability to portray bold characters that are compelling, Franco earned a huge fan following. However, recently the actor’s career came to a sudden closure following sexual harassment lawsuits. No longer the talented movie-star that he had once used to be, Franco has faced a decline in popularity. Simply put, his movies don’t attract the huge audiences which they once used to in the past. Nevertheless, the actor has proven to be a talented star making several movies that have achieved success.

I’m a big fan of Franco and adore all the films he has produced in his career. However, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is my favourite. Ever since its release in 2011, James Franco’s movie has stood the test of time as a classic. Packed with spectacular production-design, engaging storytelling and fantastic acting, it’s one of the best science fiction movies ever made. At the centre of it all is an extraordinary performance by James Franco, who encoded the caretaker of apes facing sorrow. Ultimately, what makes “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” a masterpiece is its strong message. The film delivers a bold message regarding animal cruelty which would resonate with everyone. A riveting masterpiece about apes, there are several strong reasons why “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is a movie worth seeing.

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” tells the story of an ape uprising which causes catastrophes. James Franco portrays Will Rodman, a driven scientist thar is determined to discover a drug that could cure Alzheimer’s disease. Will has always had a soft spot for apes about whom he has grown to care. When he’s rewarded a chance to take care of the ape Caesar (Andy Serkis), Will feels he has the opportunities to change the world forever. It doesn’t take long before Will develops a strong relationship with Caesar. However, Will’s dreams of raising his hope are threatened when Caesar grows up to be a warrior. When Caesar is taken to a cruel primate facility where apes are treated poorly, he decides to retaliate against humans. As all the odds are stacked against his favour, Will begins to wonder whether it’s possible to take care of Caesar. Unable to escape his stressful situation, Will begins wondering whether he’ll be able to raise an ape.

Rupert Wyatt is a newcomer towards stories of apes. Before he directed “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, Wyatt had never made a film about apes before. It was the filmmaker’s attempt to capture the lives of apes on disastrous planets facing danger, but he succeeded immensely. Through spellbinding cinematography, Wyatt captures an ape embarking on a journey to find his identity on a doomed planet. Visually, the film is a stunning feast for the eyes which is as gorgeous as apes that rise. Wyatt deftly uses montages to capture the powerful bonds between apes and humans. For instance, the montages enhance the ape evolutions scene. During this unforgettable scene, Will watches Caesar grow up evolving in front of his eyes. One admired montages capturing the tension apes embarking on journeys to discover their identities are experiencing. Montages are not simple techniques to utilize in movies. As Sam Raimi’s “Spider-Man” claimed, montages are suited to commemorated comic-book movies. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through breathtaking visuals, Wyatt captures hardships which commemorated apes are facing.

Another extraordinary aspect of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” worth praising is the set-design. From a technical perspective, the film is extremely well-made. Wyatt stages thrilling cross-cutting to capture tense hardship apes on doomed planets are enduring. For instance, cross cutting elevates the car accident scene. During this unforgettable scene, Caesar gets angry attacking a neighbour that has intense arguments with Will’s father. One appreciates cross-cutting capturing the tense hardships apes on disastrous planets are experiencing. Cross-cutting is a tricky technique to employ in movies. As Christopher Nolan’s “Inception” did suggest clearly, cross-cutting elevates science fiction movies about dreams. Nevertheless, it works immensely in this movie. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. Patrick Doyle’s music is essential towards the success of the movie. It gives the movie a tense atmosphere capturing a heavy burden that apes stuck on doomed planets bear. Through phenomenal provocation-design, Wyatt captures doomed apes that decline.

Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is a classic movie about apes that is compelling. The film is beautifully written, and effectively employs silence to capture the strong bonds between apes and humans. Wyatt’s finest strength as a screenwriter is his abilities to capture bonds between apes and humans through scenes of silence. Throughout the movie, Will develops a strong bond with Caesar without uses of ant words. For instance, the silence enhances the final goodbye scene. During this unforgettable scene, Will bids emotional farewell to Caesar In state of silence. Silence is a tricky technique to use in movies. Most movies in the Planet of the Apes franchise have always been driven by deafening noise. As Danny Boyle’s “127 Hours” suggested clearly, scenes of silence enhance survival movies. Nevertheless, it works really well in this movie. Through an extraordinary screenplay, Wyatt captures apes that endure pride to pay.

One appreciates astonishing performances.

Andy Serkis delivers one of his finest career performances as Caesar. Serkis first achieved appreciation for playing monstrous apes in “Kong Kong”. With “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”, however, he took on his most complex role. It isn’t easy to embody the personality of a chimpanzee that engages in an uprising, but Serkis succeeded immensely. This is the actor unlike you’ve ever seen him before: intense, charismatic and emotional in his most iconic role. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to showcase his strength for motion-capture. With mesmerizing expressions, he captures the angst, fear and resentments of an ape embarking on a journey to discover identity. It’s a strong performance from one of the finest motion capture actors that’s currently working in the world today.

James Franco is fantastic as a scientist that struggles to take care of an ape that causes sorrow. Francis has always had an aptitude for conveying strong emotions through emotional monologues, and “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” showcases his strengths as an actor. It’s a role that gave the actor a chance to step out of his comfort zone by acting alongside a bold motion capture character. Whether he’s silently bonding with Caesar or expressing a sense of terror at witnessing animal cruelty, Franco captures a scientist struggling raising apes which causes disaster. It’s a powerful performance from one of the most underrated actors working today.

Finally, “”Rise of the Planet of the Apes” would earn the recognition of everyone for capturing apes thar rise. Unlike most movies in the POTA franchise, it tackles strong themes everyone will relate to. The film discusses strong themes such as identity, animal cruelty and rebellion which would resonate with everyone. Viewers don’t need to be fans of the POTA franchise to appreciate it. It delivers a strong message on dangers of animal cruelty which would strike a chord with everyone. Therefore, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is one of those rare apes movies everyone would adore.

Fans of James Franco will definitely appreciate “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” and so would movie-goers seeking enjoyable entertainment. A captivating classic about apes, it celebrates an actor that has built a legacy which is iconic.

Nearly 60 years following the creation of a groundbreaking science-fiction franchise about courageous apes engaging in an uprising seeking vengeance for being treated poorly by humans on a doomed planet that’s terrifying, it’s a riveting reminder of an actor that has built a huge fan following earning worldwide recognition for his abilities to portray characters that are compelling in movies which are definitely without a single doubt worth celebrating.

5/5 stars