Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Even Apes get their origin story…..
Hail Caesar !!! Snuck out in a blanket from Gensys, this bright eyed chimp (Andy Serkis’ soulful, performance-captured portrayal) is the character that imprints itself in our minds far out-shining the humans…
Rupert Wyatt’s reboot – slash – prequel does have large plot related loopholes but that’s a given when you consider the premise (Apes ruling the world). It does do a lot of things right – sending a cautionary message (messing with mother nature), superb rendering of the CGI simians, exposing societal prejudices (Animals are God’s creatures too !!) and above all the climactic confrontation set on the Golden Gate Bridge.
Will Rodman (James Franco, wasted) has been testing a new anti-Alzheimer’s gene therapy on chimpanzees, who undergo astonishing cognitive enhancements as a result. He has a personal stake in this drug christened ALZ 112 – his dad (John Lithgow, wasted) once a great pianist, suffers from Alzheimer’s. Obviously things go wrong resulting in Caesar being taken home with Will. Over the next few years, man and monkey bond. Enter, a comely veterinarian (Freida Pinto, also wasted) and things are looking good. But, you know changes are bound to happen when the adorable chimp turns into a 300 pound gorilla…
Following an altercation with a preternaturally obnoxious neighbor, he is collected by Animal Control and remitted to the custody of a corrupt keeper (Brian Cox, wasted again) and his snidely sadistic sidekick (Tom Felton, you guessed it – wasted). And from then on its Caesar (Andy Serkis, a no-contest, hands-down Oscar-worthy performance) all the way.
One must see the film if only for the way the CGI team at WETA Digital (the team behind Avatar) and Andy Serkis have brought the ape to life giving him an unprecedented range of emotions. Who knew he would out-act the other established names. Caesar is by far the most expressive character in the film : in turns innocent and touching when an infant, curious while growing up, confused when grown up, forlorn and defeated when in captivity, cunning when he fights back and finally resolute as he decides to take fate in his own hands… Truly, puts all the King Kongs, Godzillas, Lassies and even an ET in the shade.
While the movie does end abruptly, it does contain a spectacular summer-movie set-piece. The bout of gorilla warfare atop the Golden Gate Bridge as the movie reaches a jaw-dropping crescendo is alone worth the price of admission.
If a ticket at the regular neighbourhood theatre costs Rs. 150, this movie is worth at least Rs. 300. Definitely worth the wait for it to come to the multiplexes (when the problems are resolved). A large screen for the larger-than-life hero. Audiences will surely “Go Bananas” for the Apes !!!
Saumil Bhanshali