Reaching fever-pitch in anticipation as reflected in global indicator such as www.rottentomatoes.com, the movie has so far scored a 98% high in the want-to-see meter and enjoys a 96% high on the critics’ corner stating that the movie combines breathtaking special effects and a powerful, poignant narrative that concludes the blockbuster trilogy. Meanwhile, on the local scene at www.clickthecity.com, “War for the Planet of the Apes” enjoys a full 5-star Users’ Rating on the said online portal.
Breathless action, big ideas and potent storytelling combine as “War For the Planet of the Apes”, the third and final chapter in the trilogy pushes the blockbuster series into new realms of legend-building as it explores the values that forge a civilization. It all comes to life driven by the most complex and intense performance by Andy Serkis yet as the majestic Caesar, and groundbreaking visual effects from Weta Digital. Also returning to the series is Karin Konoval as Caesar’s trusted advisor, Maurice, Terry Notary as Caesar’s right-hand man, Rocket, as well as Judy Greer as Caesar’s wife Cornelia and Toby Kebbell as Koba.
Unforgettable new characters include two-time Oscar® nominee Woody Harrelson as the Colonel, the brash human soldier who believes only an apocalyptic war can salvage the last vestiges of humankind; Steve Zahn as Bad Ape, a lonely chimp who brings heart and humor to the apes in their darkest hour; Amiah Miller as Nova, the human child who becomes an unexpected link between the apes and humanity; Aleks Paunovic as Winter, the stunning but anxious white gorilla; Michael Adamthwaite as Caesar’s gorilla lieutenant, Luca, who forges a bond with Nova; and Ty Olsson as Rex, a turncoat gorilla who works for the Colonel as his “donkey.” Featuring more apes than ever, including a dozen key characters, as the tide turns against homo sapiens, the film also for the very first time brings performance capture action into the rugged, frozen mountains and a world of snow – all captured in spectacular 65mm under the masterful eye of cinematographer Michael Seresin and set to a stirring score by Oscar® winner Michael Giacchino.
For director Matt Reeves, who returns to the franchise to take the next step after Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, the large-scale ambition of the third film was clear: to follow the increasingly upright and capable – but also haunted and questioning -- apes not only into the spectacle of total warfare but into stirring psychological territory as Caesar fights to hold onto his own most humane instincts.
More than ever, Reeves realized, the trajectory of the apes mirrors the archetypal myths of humanity. “As this story starts, there is no more peace with humans, which thrusts Caesar into a deeply emotional, universal kind of conflict,” Reeves describes. “Caesar has always been unique in that he is part ape, part human, yet neither one fully. The hope has been that he might be able to bridge the two societies, but now it is clear that this will not come to pass. What’s so exciting is that in exploring Caesar’s internal dilemmas at this profound moment it becomes a chance to look at a battle we all know: the war between our intelligence, our empathy and our instinctiveness, and how that forms what defines our humanity. At the same time as this is a very dark journey, it is also a story with so much spirit in it.”
“War for the Planet of the Apes” opens July 12 (Phils.) nationwide from 20th Century Fox to be distributed by Warner Bros.
Like this post? Subscribe to Manila Life by Email
Like Manila Life on Facebook to be updated.