Movie Review: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Here is an interesting fact. Some scientists (such as Professor Joseph Jordania), have been researching the origins of the human language, intelligence, speech, and choral singing. During these researches, scientists have discovered, while it is possible to teach apes, chimpanzee, or monkeys to communicate using the sign language to answer questions. However, they are yet to observe these animals asking questions. As a result, some scientists suggest, that perhaps the difference between human and animal intelligence, is that we, homosapiens, can ask questions.

I don't know if “asking questions” is the what separates the human from animal intelligence. This seems to be an a very interesting, ongoing research. Nonetheless, these results inevitably raise further questions and speculations, such as; 1) Who asked the first question? 2) What was that first question, and 3) Why was the first question asked?

Food for thought, heh?

Anyway, interesting facts aside, I am not here to talk about the great ape language. This is a movie review. Although the movie I will be reviewing today, seems to touch the researches I mentioned above on the tangent. Either way, I will like to review a very well made movie, one that I believe is worth watching. It is a prequel to the 1968 sci-fi classic, The Planet of the Apes. It is also a sequel to the 2011 blockbuster movie, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. The movie I will be reviewing today, is called “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes”. Let's have a look.

Synopsis:

Following the events from Rise of the Planet of the Apes. Decades has passed, since the apes broke free from the control of humans. The apes have built a community of their own, living in peace among themselves. The humans however, suffered a catastrophe at near extinction level. An experimental virus was accidentally let loose, wiping out almost the entire human race. The world as human knew it, was no more. The survivors were scattered, seeking ways to re-establish their former way of life.

Meanwhile, both the apes and the humans have little love for each other. However, it has been years since any form of contact was made between humans and apes. The apes, have come to believe that all humans are extinct.

The status quo changed as the coming of the spring wind, when a group of humans appeared in the territory belonging to the apes, rousing a dormant unease and tension between the two species. If not dealt properly, this could sprung into a raging wind, blowing and carrying a scorching bush fire, devouring everything in its path. What will be the fate for the humans, and the apes? Will there be peace? Or are these 2 species destined to obliterate each other?

What I think about this movie:

I think Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a solid movie. This movie exceeds its predecessor in almost all areas; from storytelling, cinematography, special effects, to audio engineering. The story in this movie is very well written, and masterfully executed. The story flows at a good pace. The pace is fast enough, and contains enough thrills and suspense to keep the audience at the edge of their seats, but the pace also leaves moments for the audience to explore the background, the characters and their world, and comprehend the motivations of both the heroes and the villains in this film.

The special effects and cinematography are shrouded in excellence. The CGI generated apes were detailed, and so realistic that their facial expressions fully conveyed their emotions in vivid liveness. The brilliantly generated CGI apes, and their facial expressions, further enhanced the emotional impacts in several important scenes. I watched this movie in 3D, sometimes it is worth paying the few extra dollars to see a movie in 3D, and sometimes it isn't. Unfortunately, I do not think there is a need to see this movie in 3D. There are not enough “pop outs” or “depth” in the 3D version of this movie, and 30 minutes into the movie, I completely forgot I was even watching a 3D movie. Therefore, I think watching a normal, 2D version of this movie, should lead to an equally satisfying cinematic experience as its 3D counterpart.

The main strength of this movie, in my opinion, is the story. This story successfully portrayed a hypothetical conflict that is not entirely foreign to the conflicts in our own world. In this movie, neither the humans nor the apes are portrayed as simple, straight villains or heroes. The story shows both parties are equally as guilty of elevating a pre-existing tension, until a violent, tragic clash explodes, causing irreplaceable losses on both sides. This cemented a self fulfilling prophecy where both parties are destined to war against each other, until one side is completely wiped out. However, in wars, there are no victors, only survivors who mourn the losses. It is at this moment, the realization dawned that a movie such as this, is not playing a new song with a new message. Its chords and lyrics has been played and sung very often, but we have the tendency to forget this song. This is a song about surrendering the eagerness for self defense and hatred, and seek mutual understanding as a way forward instead.

I think Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is worth watching. Very rare do we see a blockbuster movie that is so well balanced in every way. It is entertaining without being dumb, and thought provoking without being intrusive. I would like to see how this story will develop at the next turn.