IR Film Review: KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES [20th Century Studios]
The intention of a "Planet Of The Apes" film is to give the notion of perspective pertaining to the notion of the greater good...and the contemplation of conscience. With the newest installment, "Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes", it is about going beyond the ideal of what Caesar was, and his connection to the human race. What the new film does is remind that the aspects of history and memory fade over time and become jumbled by those living it. This new story takes place a couple generations after the last one. The context of what the apes believe and what they know of the great structures around them has tapered off by the notion of what their new lives are, The main character is Noa, who is an ape more clever and empathetic than most. His path is one of a hero but one still skeptical. When he comes across a human (whom they call an Echo), he must respond. Of course a calamity of a certain order befalls his clan which necessitates his journey.
The reality is that the performance capture has become so good that the emoting of the digital manipulations even down to the crease of an eye is fantastic. Director Wes Ball, who made the "Maze Runner" films, takes over for Matt Reeves and does exceptionally well but of course, it has a different feel because the mythology of the former trilogy is over. While Caesar is missed, Noa (played with exceptional range by Owen Teague of "IT" fame) runs the gamut and the audience can see him thinking. This is a more contemplative ape than Caesar...yet with many of the leadership qualities. While it might be a little less action oriented at times, that is alright. It is almost to the point that a good series with this technology could be made. Again it all depends on price point.
Freya Allen brings a different energy with Nova, which is an interesting diametric but the science traction behind what we are seeing is not quite cohesive. Theultimate path makes sense but interesting eniugh some of the latter elements have correlations to Waterworld except on land. The reasoning of power makes sense but the connotation of family tends to ring stronger as the stoiry pushes akong The fact that Nova takes on some of the primal skills of the apes even in the balance of intelligence is an interesting discussion. Wherever the story moves from here, it tends to balance in what the strong dictate over the weekend. Certain forces might prevail while others rise up. B+
By Tim Wassberg
