By Kate Rodger
The apes are back, and they are a far cry from the man-in-a-chimp-suit days of old. beloved as they are. Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, the Planet of the Apes rises to the challenge of today's more sophisticated demanding audiences and delivers.
It’s branded as an origin story and as the title suggests Rise of the Planet of the Apes kicks off the well-trodden story of apes taking on the humans, beginning with main protagonist Caesar.
Caesar begins life in a lab, born of a chimpanzee mother being used as a pin-cushion for a new Alzheimer’s drug.
The doctor pushing the research adopts the gifted chimp, who thanks to the drug, becomes more and more advanced the older he gets.
When the bond between master and chimp gets tested and other far less savoury humans enter the mix, things start to go very horribly wrong.
The actor behind the marvel of Gollum and King Kong; Andy Serkis, once again pushes the boundaries of animalistic performances and it’s his performance as Caesar which anchors this film.
As a re-boot of the Ape franchise this outing ticks almost all the boxes. The technology of motion-capture and the skills of Andy Serkis bringing Caesar the ape to life are the key to its success, there's a very human heart beating within it and the story tying it together is entirely believable and very engaging.
Four stars.
3 News
Rise of the Planet of the Apes
:: Director:Rupert Wyatt
:: Starring: James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow
:: Running Time:105 mins
:: Rating:M - contains violence
:: Release Date:4 August 2011
:: Trailer: Click here
