Rise of the Planet of the Apes
by David
Monkeys are freaking awesome. They are just like humans, but with a better sense of humor. If a monkey points and laughs at someone, everybody thinks it’s hilarious. Yet, when I throw my crap at someone, everyone gets ALL angry at me, almost like they don’t even get the joke. Like, calm down and just think about what just happened. It truly is more hilarious than disgusting. Whatever. Sometimes this planet just doesn’t make any sense. I don’t know why I’m even mentioning this when the movie is about apes, not monkeys. Still, just something I had to get off my chest.
And sense was just barely in grasp for the makers of “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”. Not because it is a bad movie or an outrageous plot. No, it was a very good movie with a plot full of compassion, bad decisions, love and war. That they even took a crack at this movie is impressive. With a combination of so many factors this may be a Hollywood first. Honestly, can you think of another sequel/prequel/remake of a movie that wasn’t hyped as a sequel/prequel, and which the original movie, which came out 40 years earlier and had four sequels and a televisions series, already had a remake attempt ten years prior. Sure, certain parts can kind of be recognized (maybe “Tron: Legacy” for the sequel delay, “Spider-man” for the remake with a TV series in between (if you count the TV movies as movies, and the cartoon series as a TV series, the Punisher movies for their repeated reboot attempts)). But, all of them together just seemed like a gutsy, wild swing at the plate. Somehow they got a hit with that blind swing. A solid movie was made and people were interested in seeing it.
The movie focuses on a scientist attempting to discover a cure for degenerative brain problems (Alzheimer’s, etc). His father’s condition gives him a more personal attachment and obsession to find this cure as quickly as possible. Apes are tested on, the project is cancelled, and one baby ape is looked after by the scientist. This ape advances rapidly in its cognitive thinking and becomes, essentially, an equal to humans. However, he is never treated as such. Problems arise and the scientist makes some desperate decisions while Caesar, the ape, starts to try to grasp for a semblance of equality.
Really, quite a fun tale with a healthy mix of action and emotion. One of those movies where, thinking about it now, I’m surprised I was only entertained at a 4.0 level. Much like “Thor”, I do not have any suggestions as to what they could have done better, only that they should have.
