Movie Review – Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes

Set many generations after the last film, this new installment follows Noa, an ape who with a lot of growing up to do, as he tries to find his kidnapped tribe. He befriends an orangutan who, of course, offers wisdom, and a human who he realizes can still speak. Eventually, they find Proximus Caesar, the leader of a large tribe trying to access a human weapons base, and Noa’s family.

This film does not reach the heights of its predecessors, but does offer a glimpse into a world not ruled by humanity. A world in which apes have evolved to make the same mistakes as humans as they put power and greed over life. They seem to have learned nothing from how humanity destroyed itself.

Noa is not as intriguing as Caesar was, but he does offer us a coming of age story to follow. Perhaps, as he grows into the next film, he will have more to offer as far as character. Mae and Trevathan are the only two speaking humans for the most part, and the film makes the most out of their characters. The viewer never knows if Mae is doing what she needs to do out of good or bad intentions, and it makes her dynamic in the film very compelling.

As with the previous versions, the visuals are outstanding. From flying eagles to how the apes move, there is plenty for the eye to feast on. Where the story lacks, the film makes up for in how pretty it is.

I think this film wants to be provocative, but like Rise of the Planet of the Apes, it will likely be a great jumping off point for a trilogy where the latter two films will be the better ones.

Three and a half stars out of five, because my eyes loved watching it.