A cinema going experience that leaves me greatly satisfied is like nourishment for my soul. It's been at least 2.5 weeks since my last trip, as sickness has kept me away. Well, today, I got to go back to my first love. And, well, what a film! Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is greater than it's predecessor. And, I loved Rise.
Set 10 years after the outbreak of the Simian Flu, humans are barely existing anymore. 1 in 500 were thought to be immune to the Flu virus. The
apes of San Francisco have created a home, and do not know if humans
still exist. This is, of course, until humans discover their presence
whilst on a trek in the woods.
This film is built on emotion and characters. The story itself is merely a device to bring the interaction between ape and human back into the fold. Although it is still relevant, it's the interaction that provides the excitement, both at a conversation and action level. The motion capture work here is phenomenal, with each ape having distinct features and characteristics. The realism of it all is really something to behold. Even moreso than Rise. I dare anyone to say they didn't believe the apes looked real.
The story follows the usual tropes of building a relationship between human and animal, which starts with fear and then comes to understanding and so on. The apes are led by the great Caesar, a truly inspiring character, with awesome presence on screen. He has kept this ape colony together, and helped them to build a safe haven - a home. They live by code, especially 'ape not kill ape'. Caesar has seen the worst of human kind, and doesn't want his apes to fall victim to our ways. Jason Clarke, playing our lead human, is amazing. His character embodies everything that is good about human beings, and it is his fear of war that allows the relationship with Caesar to develop. Unfortunately, not all the humans and apes are as great as their leaders.
The messages sent through this film are strong, and I hope the rest of viewers take note. War mongering has ruined us, and it is all we're known for as a race. Well, perhaps not all for, but, we're certainly pretty good at fighting and killing. Should another race come to earth or an existing develop our intelligence, they'll see us for what we are - killers. This is unfortunate, and the good of will suffer for it. There's a line spoken towards the end, about humans and forgiveness, which resonated so much with me.
Do yourself a favour, and go watch this film. Listen to it, watch it, feel the emotion pulsating through. If you get bored and find it silly, then I'm sorry for you.
Rating:
4.5 out of 5.
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