War for the Planet of the Apes

Cast: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Ty Olsson and Terry Notary

Director: Matt Reeves

Release Date: 2017

Running Time: 2hrs 20 minutes

Genre: Action/thriller

Rating: 12

Synopsis:

After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles his darker instincts and begins his own quest to avenge his kind. 

Fifteen years have passed since the events that first took place in "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes", Caesar and his army of apes are now at war with humans. After his wife and child are killed during battle, Ceasar embarks on a quest to find the murderous soldier who killed his family to seek vengeance. The apes are now fighting for survival to protect their own, to find a new home, to start over. Dark and gripping, director Matt Reeves carries on the story beautifully in this magnificent thriller. The more we see of the story, the more of an understanding we get on how dark "Planet of the Apes" really is!

Humans are being punished for what they have done, nature is fighting back. Magnificently written, the storyline is incredibly gripping and deeply emotional. Distinguished actor Andy Serkis delivers an outstanding performance as leader of the pact Caesar. The emotion that Serkis is able to deliver purely through eye contact is fantastic, not afraid to stand up for himself or others he becomes a threat to The Colonel, performed excellently by Woody Harrelson. The use of humour hasn't gone amissed, director Matt Reeves has incorporated it into scenes just enough to lighten the mood, without tearing away from the gripping storyline.

The spectacular visuals are what really make this film stand out from similar films of the same idea. Set in British Columbia, Canada, the scenery works excellently, up in the snowy mountains, it really gives the story some depth, a real sense of isolation. The special effects are what really make this film come together with the use of a beautifully composed score by Michael Giacchino. Uplifting and emotional it really tells the story as the film progresses. Far more intense than the  previous films, humans are not only at war with apes, but at war with themselves, humans have become selfish and controlling, controlling their own kind as well as apes. A terrific end to a franchise, is the story really over though?

Spectacular and thrilling.

5/5 stars