Will Rodman (James Franco), currently residing in San Francisco, is working on a cure for Alzheimer's by performing tests on apes. The first test subject is Caesar. This "cure" genetically modifies his way of thinking to create a new breed of ape with human-like intelligence. Caesar learns well, but human authority continues to test him and contain him. He eventually proves smart enough to break free from his cage and release the cure among other apes, affecting other apes like Caesar. Millions of apes begin to rally up a revolution. Soon, war breaks out between humans and apes. Rodman may be the only one able to stop them before the ape revolution succeeds in them becoming the dominant species on the planet.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a prequel to the film series,
Planet of the Apes in which apes are tested by scientists (the main one in this being Will Rodman played by James Franco) as a cure for the disease, alzheimers. But once the apes including the main one, Caesar found out what they are alive for, and they form a revolution against humanity as it becomes a all-out war between primates and humans.
I have not seen any of the 'Apes' films other than a older one that I can't even label which one it is, so I didn't really know much about the concept coming into this prequel, which helps since those that have seen the 'Apes' movies know how it ends up, so this movie is really just a way of showing them how they became that way - but for newer viewers to the series (like me) are given a advantage considering we don't know the outcome and it's all new to us - and this film certainly makes me want to check out the others.
First of all, the casting is excellent. Andy Serkis motion-acting as the main ape who starts the revolution, Caesar is very easy to relate to and his character is packed with emotion that you can really feel which the credit is given to Serkis on this. James Franco has been on my radar since
27 Hours (well, really as Harry Osborne in 'Spider Man' but I didn't know the actor at the time) and has since been growing and growing on my radar - and has jumped even more after his performance as Will Rodman, the scientist who is responsible for the cure, but fails and has to find a way to try again. Freida Pinto is pretty good as Caroline Aranha while John Lithgow is downright outstanding as Charles Rodman who is also picked with a little emotion you can feel, too. After seeing many performances in which Tom Felton has given in 'Harry Potter' I knew he would be good considering his character is kind of snotty in this, as well as the zoo watchdog who is packed with cocky, bratty personality in which Felton has always done well with that kind of character. The whole cast is great and it's hard to find any flaws, to be honest with you.
The visual effects are breathtaking as the company from
Avatar provide plenty of nice jungle scenes, explosions, and chemical gasses on the Golden Gate Bridge (including one scene or two where the apes are actually under the bridge as you can see the water below them - absolutely breathtaking scene that really caught my attention) as what I've seen from the company so far in the way of effects has been unbelievable and I can't wait to see them in another motion picture soon.
The movie seems a bit short at times, but also has non-stop scenes that keep you in it throughout - for instance, you're always wondering "OK.. so.. when exactly is Caesar gonna get pissed?" and just when it seems like he's about to lead the primates in a escape routes, he waits a little longer and the next time it seems appropriate you think "OK,
now he's gonna lead them. No wait, he doesn't. Maybe the
next scene which really keeps your attention and keeps you guessing.
For those that haven't seen it, this is a excellent introduction to the 'Apes' franchise and for those that have seen it may want to see what happens before they take over, but some may feel like skipping it since they know what's going to happen, but even if that's the case.. you should still see it. It's not only one of the best 2011 movies I've seen so far, but one of the greatest movies I have
ever seen. 5/5 for me - now, go to your local theater and bring a banana and prepare to be entertained!