When Rise of the Planet of the Apes hit theaters in 2011 I was cautiously optimistic about how good it could be. As much as I’ve been a huge fan of the series, I was very disappointed by Tim Burton’s attempt at revitalizing the franchise back in 2001 that starred Mark Wahlberg. As it would turn out, my cautious optimism would be rewarded when director Rupert Wyatt brought to life an intelligent screenplay that audiences could appreciate and indulge in. Very seldom do sequels outshine its predecessors. Dawn is one of those sequels. Warning, spoilers ahead…
This 2014 sequel is now directed by Matt Reeves (Cloverfield). Dawntakes place about 10 years after the events of Rise where the human race is in jeopardy of extinction due to the simian flu outbreak that was alluded to during the ending credits of the first film. This retelling shows that humans and apes alike can be both noble and trustworthy but also ruthless and warlike. So much credit has to be given to Andy Serkis who plays the ape leader Caesar. He gives Caesar the “humanlike” qualities that so many of the human characters lack. He shows compassion in the face of ignorance. A quality we as a society should always strive for.
Caesar and his followers have built a life for themselves just outside of San Francisco. Life there is peaceful and all Caesar, now a father of two sons, wants to do is protect it. That life is threatened when a group of humans led by Malcom (Jason Clarke) are caught in the woods after shooting and injuring one of the apes. They were attempting to reach a hydroelectric dam in the hopes of restoring power to a human colony that has taken refuge on the opposite side of the Golden Gate Bridge.
After being warned to not return by Caesar, Malcom ask Dreyfus (Gary Oldman), the leader of the human colony, to let him go back and plead their case to Caesar. Dreyfus is against it but gives him a couple of days to meet with the ape leader. When Caesar agrees to help the humans, he puts himself in harms way. In particular with the ape Koba who wants revenge for all the years of being tested and caged by humans. It’s very much a human response. There’s a great statement in Dawn that states, ‘fear creates followers’. Koba and Dreyfus represent two sides of the same coin of fear. But it will be Koba’s betrayal of Caesar that incites a war against the humans.
Director Reeves does a wonderful job of balancing the quiet moments of family (both human and ape) and the instinct to protect them at all costs as well as choreographing action scenes that are well executed and have a sense of realism to them. As CGI heavy as Dawn is, it never distracts or takes away from the overall story.
Aside from the 1968 original that was both groundbreaking and controversial because of its social and political overtones, Dawn may be the best Apes film to date. I for one cannot wait for part three and see how this story concludes.
****1/2 (out of 5 stars)
May the Dork be with you,
JPB
The Dork Knight
