Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Country: US
Technical: col 130m
Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke
Synopsis:
After a man-made virus has all but wiped out mankind, a group of survivors in San Francisco comes into contact with an advanced ape society led by the enlightened Caesar. Their precarious accord, designed to enable a local hydro-electric dam to restore power to the city, is jeopardised by a renegade former experimentee named Koba.
Review:
Clever in as much it is a simian 'bad egg' that ruins the hopes of a modus vivendi between the antagonistic parties, rather than a similarly embittered human character, this competent Sci-Fi sequel works along familiar lines (apes and humans are more alike than they know) and offers startlingly lifelike virtual apes as cast members. Whether they are as expressive as McDowall, Hunter, Evans et al. were in their way is a moot point, and some of the CGI is shakily incorporated into the live action footage, but the character of Caesar is lent peculiar vividness by Andy Serkis. The human cast is somewhat more pallid by comparison, leaving the viewer adrift at times, but the point about co-existence is well made, and the film ends on a pessimistic note as the makers drag out the Planet of the Apes prequel remakes to trilogy status.
Country: US
Technical: col 130m
Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke
Synopsis:
After a man-made virus has all but wiped out mankind, a group of survivors in San Francisco comes into contact with an advanced ape society led by the enlightened Caesar. Their precarious accord, designed to enable a local hydro-electric dam to restore power to the city, is jeopardised by a renegade former experimentee named Koba.
Review:
Clever in as much it is a simian 'bad egg' that ruins the hopes of a modus vivendi between the antagonistic parties, rather than a similarly embittered human character, this competent Sci-Fi sequel works along familiar lines (apes and humans are more alike than they know) and offers startlingly lifelike virtual apes as cast members. Whether they are as expressive as McDowall, Hunter, Evans et al. were in their way is a moot point, and some of the CGI is shakily incorporated into the live action footage, but the character of Caesar is lent peculiar vividness by Andy Serkis. The human cast is somewhat more pallid by comparison, leaving the viewer adrift at times, but the point about co-existence is well made, and the film ends on a pessimistic note as the makers drag out the Planet of the Apes prequel remakes to trilogy status.
Country: US
Technical: col 130m
Director: Matt Reeves
Cast: Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke
Synopsis:
After a man-made virus has all but wiped out mankind, a group of survivors in San Francisco comes into contact with an advanced ape society led by the enlightened Caesar. Their precarious accord, designed to enable a local hydro-electric dam to restore power to the city, is jeopardised by a renegade former experimentee named Koba.
Review:
Clever in as much it is a simian 'bad egg' that ruins the hopes of a modus vivendi between the antagonistic parties, rather than a similarly embittered human character, this competent Sci-Fi sequel works along familiar lines (apes and humans are more alike than they know) and offers startlingly lifelike virtual apes as cast members. Whether they are as expressive as McDowall, Hunter, Evans et al. were in their way is a moot point, and some of the CGI is shakily incorporated into the live action footage, but the character of Caesar is lent peculiar vividness by Andy Serkis. The human cast is somewhat more pallid by comparison, leaving the viewer adrift at times, but the point about co-existence is well made, and the film ends on a pessimistic note as the makers drag out the Planet of the Apes prequel remakes to trilogy status.