Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes (2014)
Directed by Matt Reeves
Starring:
Andy Serkis
Jason Clarke
Gary Oldman
Keri Russell
Toby Kebbell
Kodi Smit-McPhee
Running time: 131 minutes
Plot Synopsis: (via IMDB)
In the wake of a disaster that changed the world, the growing and genetically evolving apes find themselves at a critical point with the human race.
My Opinion:
I’m sure everyone has reviewed this by now so I’ll just say this: Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is pretty damn spectacular. It isn’t perfect but any issues I have with it are pretty insignificant compared to the amazing special effects. WOW! Hey you WordPress whippersnappers – remember that I’m old. You’re all used to movies looking like this now & just expect it all the time. You’re spoiled!!! 😉 I mean, I’m actually still impressed by 1968’s Planet Of The Apes so, you know, maybe I’m more easy to please than some of you. But this film is REALLY freaking impressive.
The apes!!! I’d happily watch a movie with just the apes & no human actors on screen. There was so much depth to their characters. The only downside is that they did such an excellent job with the look and the character development of the apes that the humans in the film really do pale by comparison. It was actually easier to feel for the apes and their struggle than it was for the humans and all that they’ve gone through. However, (and this is something I loved about this film), there’s no black & white “humans are evil and the apes are innocent” (or vice versa). We see both sides and I thought the story worked really well & that the way things progressed was very believable. I was completely immersed in this film and that doesn’t happen as often as I’d like considering how many movies I go to.
Summary:
I don’t know what else to say that hasn’t been said by others. I thought Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes was pretty great and I love that Dawn manages to improve on it. Also, I’ll fully admit that I love that this movie turns into a full-on blockbuster at the end. This movie is proof that you CAN have an exciting, heart-pounding blockbuster as well as an intelligent script and well developed characters that you actually care about. I do wish the human characters had had as much time spent on making us care about them as the apes had but it’s really a minor complaint. This movie is very very good.
My Rating: 8.5/10
I STILL haven’t made my mind up on if Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes is my 2nd or 3rd favorite movie of 2014. It’s between this & Her. See my full list HERE if you’re bothered. 🙂
Cinema Parrot Disco 
Excellent review lady! Finally got to this yesterday and I loved it!
Thank you! Did you? Yay!!! : ) Review coming soon?? I have blog reading to catch up on again!!
FINALLY! LOL! Yep, it will be up tomorrow.
Meh, don’t remind me, I have so much to go through!
#SM 4 Life!
Yay! I love sausage & mash! : )
Her is probably better by a small fraction, but Apes is pretty damn awesome.
Agreed. I’ve left Her above Apes for now. ; ) But it’s SO close! I just really loved the originality of Her. The screenplay was excellent. But Apes is more “fun”. : )
I’m hoping to catch this this week. I only caught up with Rise the other day but loved it! And I know if you like it then there’s a pretty good chance I will as well!
Oh I bet you will indeed like this one! Yeah – our tastes are pretty similar… ; ) Would love to know your thoughts when you see it. The apes are just so amazing! : )
What’s this movie about?
The dawn of a planet of, um… apes?? Smart monkeys!
Great review. The film is an excellent visual and conceptual improvement of the first and that’s impressive in its own right. And Andy Serkis retains his Title as the master of motion capture.
“Apes. Together. Strong.”
Thanks! Agree. I didn’t think they could improve much on the first one but they did. Great stuff! : )
Serkis is phenomenal as always, but Toby Kebbell stole the show for me, predictably so :).
It’s Maurice who I really love! And I think a woman does Maurice? : )
Yeah it’s a woman :).
Yay! Hooray for women! Lol : )
Sounds shit.
Lol! Nope. This isn’t The IPC. ; )
Let me ask you this – if these apes are so smart, why do they ride horses? Can’t they drive cars?
Because horses are COOLER, man!
#goodbyehorses
Oh, OK.
🙂
#theycantdriveastick
It was action-packed and exciting, yet, also had an emotional story at the center that made it all worth watching. Good review.
Thanks! Totally agree. Action-packed is fun but a good story makes it a hell of a lot better. : )
Fine work! Really admire this film – as you say, it manages to be equally entertaining and intelligent. And Serkis, wow!
Adam.
Thanks. : ) Yes! I’m so glad so many others love this film. Wasn’t entirely sure as I have yet to catch up on reading others’ reviews of it. Great film! : )
Great review! I was also impressed by this one. I liked how they didn’t choose sides, just presented the conflict and let the audience reach its own conclusions. A thought-provoking — but also exciting! — summer movie.
Thanks! : ) Yep – I really thought they’d make it be “one side good, one side bad” and all that. So glad they didn’t. Very happy with this film! : )
Eeeeee I want to see this!! Actually, I think I may be going this weekend. 🙂 Great review, lady! I’m glad to see this franchise turn things around after that not-so-great one with Mark Wahlberg. Wow, you really liked Her, huh? Lol. For me, the one to beat this year is still Grand Budapest Hotel. I forget–did you see that one?
Oops – missed this comment! Have you seen Planet of the Apes yet? Can’t remember!!! Falling so behind on the blogs again! No, I’ve not seen Grand Budapest Hotel. Just never really liked Wes Anderson.
Went to see this the past weekend and it was awesome and both the story and effects very impressive. Gave it almost the same score as you did (still have to put up my own review though)
I’m glad you liked it! It’s great seeing so much love for this. : ) Would like to see your review once it’s done!
Very great review Mutey!! This movie is so stellar, and I actually ended up getting to it kind of late (and FYI by my standards “Late” is anything after three days since it debuts. . lol god I’m a snob. . .) . . .that I’ve actually not even given it the treatment of a review yet. I’m just too intimidated!
It’s like, what can I say that hasn’t already been said about this movie that makes apes look awesome, people less awesome, and war. . .the least awesome of all?
And by the way, digging the new look of the site!
Thanks, Tom! Lol – I’m glad my old theme stopped working and that I had to just change it quick. This one was going to be temporary but I like it now! : ) And… Glad you love this movie too! : ) Yes, I struggled to know what to say about how great it was, which is why this is probably my shortest review ever. And I hate not seeing big films within the first few days they’re out! I won’t be impressed if I don’t get to Guardians of the Galaxy soon. ; )
Gotta see this sounds good. And yes I am also still impressed by the 1968 version… Cornelius baby and his faux hair-do! Hell yes! Today’s kids would never be able to get hair like that.
Haha. I know. I dread to think how much a kid nowadays would laugh at the 1968 film. ; ) You really do need to see this one – it’s awesome! : )
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