Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes
Director: Matt Reeves
Starring: Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis
130 mins; Class 12; KRS Releasing Ltd

Overall, it’s been a very good summer for sequels thus far. X-Men: Days of Future Past proved to be one of the best of the franchise, while How to Train Your Dragon 2 equalled the thrills and emotions of the first.

And now, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes swings onto our screens. The second entry in the new reboot of the franchise, launched back in 1968 with the Charlton Heston-starrer Planet of the Apes, seamlessly carries on from where its predecessor, 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes, left off.

Not just story-wise, however. It apes it in terms of engaging and emotional entertainment courtesy of a tight script, jaw-dropping visuals and superb performances, most especially from Andy Serkis, who once more offers a peerless performance as Caesar, leader of the apes.

Less an action-adventure movie thanan intelligent and emotional science-fiction movie

The action takes place around 10 years after events in Rise. The ALZ-113 virus which created the genetically-evolved apes has caused a virtual wipe-out of humanity across the globe. Caesar leads a growing troop of these apes, living in peaceful idyll in a community located in a large expanse of woods just outside the devastated ruins of San Francisco.

They are discovered by a community of human survivors, who need access to a dam in the ape’s territory, and Caesar and Malcolm (Jason Clarke), an architect representing the humans, slowly come to an agreement.

Despite their better efforts, however, they are brought to the brink of war, sabotaged by those within their ranks who want theirs to emerge as the dominant species and who prefer violence as a solution to disputes.

It is impossible to discern the CG work from reality – the effects and top-notch performances amalgamating to create something entirely believable. The apes’ ability to communicate via grunts, sign language and a few words in English and their astonishing horseback-riding and hunting skills are a fraction of the incredible world that opens before us.

The film pulls no punches in the depiction of violence. A scene where an ape suddenly and shockingly shoots two humans – after behaving just as they would expect him to and providing them with a few laughs – has been criticised by many, not least because it features in the film’s trailer as shown during half-time during some World Cup match broadcasts.

Moreover, the climactic battle between ape and human is blistering and brutal, playing out dramatically against a background of raging fires and relentless gunshots culminating in scenes of triumphant apes and terrified humans that will chill you to the bone.

Sign up to our free newsletters

Get the best updates straight to your inbox:
Please select at least one mailing list.

You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.