This reboot doesn't monkey around.
Released: 2011
Genre(s): Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Normally, I'm against Hollywood rebooting long-dead, well-established franchises: typically, nobody is asking for them, and there's really no need to resurrect them when there's so much innovative, undiscovered talent available. I understand why studios love the idea of beating a few final bucks out of a dead horse, especially when the series' name alone allows minimum effort to sell tickets, but I feel like this cheap tactic rarely brings anything memorable or enjoyable to the table. Then there's "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" - Hollywood's attempt to restart the old-school, sci-fi "Planet of the Apes" series. Sure, this movie has a heavy focus on special effects (and boy, are they impressive), but there is far more than a glossy new coat of paint offered by this iteration: aside from the obvious overhaul to the reborn storyline, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" crafts something that feels less B-movie than its former incarnations and feels more (pardon the comparison) "human." The acting is decent, with a competent, star-studded cast, but one of the greatest things this film does is convey genuine emotion through a computer-generated ape's facial expressions and body language; there's a certain charm to the character, and in truth, I was rooting for the apes by the end of this adventure. The effects definitely enhance the great action sequences in this movie, instead of distracting from them, and showcase a true understanding of balance within modern filmmaking. While not Oscar-worthy by any stretch of the imagination, this movie manages to transcend most of the kitschy cheese of its predecessors, while still remaining a faithful reimagining of a well-loved series.
Rating (out of 5): 4
