[FILM REVIEW] KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Review (2024)
Summary: Many years after the reign of Caesar, a young ape goes on a journey that will lead him to question everything he’s been taught about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
Year: 2024
Cinema Release Dates: 9th May 2024 (Australia), 9th May 2024 (Thailand), 9th May 2024 (UK), 10th May 2024 (USA)
VOD Release Dates: TBA
Country: USA
Director: Wes Ball
Screenwriter: Josh Friedman
Cast: Freya Allan (Mae), Zay Domo Artist (Milo), Eka Darville (Sylva), Kevin Durand (Proximus Caesar), Kagga Jayson (Jay), Travis Jeffrey (Ananya), Karin Konoval (Maurice), Dichen Lachman (Korina), Peter Macon (Raka), William H. Macy (Trevathan), Lydia Peckham (Soona), Neil Sandilands (Koro), Owen Teague (Noa), Ras-Samuel Welda’abzgi, Sara Wiseman (Dar)
Running Time: 145 minutes
Classification: M (Australia), G (Thailand), 12A (UK), PG-13 (USA)
OUR KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES REVIEWS
David Griffiths’s Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Review
When it comes to franchises that have never had a weak movie in it the modern re-boot of Planet Of The Apes has surely led the way. While many were sceptical of a reboot just 10 years after Tim Burton’s take on the classic story had hit cinemas they were soon eating their words as the new films found a way to be both touching and epic while still making a strong comment about humanity.
Now some seven years after its predecessor we have the fourth instalment of this franchise hitting cinemas in the form of the Wes Ball (The Maze Runner) directed Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes.
Set 300 years after the death of the mighty Caesar this film follows the journey of a young ape named Noa (Owen Teague – It) who is part of the nature loving Eagle Clan. The Clan are peaceful and are known for training their eagles and generally trying to keep away from the feral humans (known as Echoes) that still live in certain areas.
Noa’s biggest worry in life is trying to seek recognition from his father Koro (Neil Sandilands – News Of The World) who seems to think that Noa is not ready to take on bigger responsibilities within the tribe.
On the eve of Noa’s coming-of-age ceremony though the clan is attacked by a raiding party led by General Sylva (Eka Darville – Jessica Jones) and what members of the clan who aren’t killed are taken captive.
Eager to try and find his family and friends Noa begins out on a journey and soon encounters a young human named Mae (Freya Allan – The Witcher) and a wise orangutan called Raka (Peter Macon – Shameless) who teachers Noa the ancient teachings of Caesar and educates him on the human race.
There is something strangely captivating about Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes. Only moments into this film you soon forget that you are watching CGI apes and instead it feels like they have come to life right in front of you. Any fears that people might have about not being able to relate or connect to the main characters of this film are immediately eliminated by the sheer brilliance of the look of the movie itself.
Perhaps even more importantly though is the way that these creatures are given characterisation by the work of screenwriter Josh Friedman (Avatar: The Way Of The Water) because it is the naturalistic dialogue and mannerisms of the Apes that so quickly endear them to the audience. The impact that Friedman’s work has on this film is clear when you realise that he has been able to capture the same ‘feelings’ here that he did with the Avatar franchise.
The other movie that springs to the mind when watching Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes is The Lord Of The Rings. Here again we have another movie where a character sets out on a journey – not only a journey with a mission but also one where the trip leads to a journey of self-discovery. It is easy to see from some of the more touching moments of this film that Noa equally learns as much about himself on this journey as he does about the world around him.
Likewise the audience is also taken on a journey where the audience is left pondering what exactly are humans useful on Earth and whether or not our relationship with nature has been destroyed for ever… few Hollywood blockbuster screenplays will have you thinking as much as this one does.
What the script does capture brilliantly well though is the bond that forms between Noa, Raka and Mae and you only realise how these characters have grown on you when their lives are placed in danger and you find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat and gripping the arm of your chair for dear life.
However, there is one weakness to this film – while the journey and the lessons provided on it are powerful parts of the film, it feels like there should have been made about what life was like in Kingdom that Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand – X-Men Origins: Wolverine) was trying to set up. This needed far more explanation as did the character of Trevathan (William H. Macy – Fargo) who was given way too little screen time. In a way it felt like the film should have ended when Noa and Mae arrive at the Kingdom and that events that occurred there needed to be a film of their own… still this certainly isn’t going to be a film where you leave the cinema disappointed either.
Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes keeps the brilliance of this franchise going. The inclusion of brand new characters brings about a whole new freshness and they are so likable we can only hope that we get to see more of their adventures come to the big screen soon. The way these CGI apes come to life so naturally is proof of modern day Hollywood magic. The best way to sum up this film – is that it is an action film for people who like something to think about after the credits have rolled.
David’s rating Out Of 5
Alex First’s Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Review
More monkey business.
Indeed. Here we have another reboot … reset … reconfiguration of the 1968 movie Planet of the Apes, which starred Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall.
In fact, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the tenth picture in the franchise.
But does it live up to expectations?
“Yes” and “no”, but more of that later.
The story takes place several generations after the great ape Caesar died. He was the one who oversaw simians and mankind living in harmony.
But things have since gone backwards.
Noa (Owen Teague) is a young ape who knows nothing of the outside world or about Caesar. He lives in a busy clan that sings to and trains eagles to fish for them.
The group’s rite of passage begins when young’uns are tasked with securing eagle eggs high up in the mountains and then nurturing them.
That is the starting point for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
Noa’s imminent coming of age ceremony is upset by the arrival of a human female named Mae (Freya Allen).
That results in Noa undertaking a grand and dangerous adventure.
He first encounters a wise old ape called Raka (Peter Macon), an orangutan who remembers Caesar’s teachings of decency and morality. Raka preaches tolerance and peace.
Noa’s adversary is a powerful and imposing beast, a gorilla named Sylva (Eka Darville), who heads an adversarial ape army.
That army is beholden to the narcistic Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), who craves technological knowledge that Mae has, hence his quest to capture her.
Sylva will stop at nothing to track down Mae and that involves raiding and torching other clans, including Noa’s.
When his family and friends are captured, Noa is determined to fight back.
At the same time, he has a decidedly uneasy relationship with the whip smart Mae. He is trying to figure out whether he can trust her.
Also in the picture is human captive Trevathan (William H. Macy), who accepts the new status quo, in which apes’ rule … and teaches the primates history.
Written by Josh Friedman (Avatar: The Way of Water), Wes Ball (The Maze Runner) directs Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.
It is undoubtedly a good looker. The visuals are impressive. Cinematographer Gyula Pados (Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle) has done a fine job.
The sound design adds to the gravitas in the film.
I enjoyed the tentative “dance” between Mae and Noa, which carried on throughout the film, as the pair continued to feel each other out.
Noa gains insights as the narrative evolves, while Mae appears to want to reestablish human control … or does she? There is a mysterious quality to Freya Allen’s representation of Mae.
Sylva is a mighty force to be reckoned with as one of the villains of the piece. In costume, Eka Darville is positively fearsome.
In contrast, I also appreciated the sympathetic representation of Raka by Peter Macon.
Nevertheless, the storyline is dragged out. At 2 hours 25 minutes, the movie is too long. If it had been tightened, it would have had greater impact. And, surprise, surprise (NOT!), the ending sets up yet another sequel.
Alex’s rating Out Of 5
Average Subculture rating Out Of 5
Other Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Reviews
You can read our review of Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes that ran in The Phuket News right here – https://www.thephuketnews.com/planet-of-the-apes-still-teaching-humans-humanity-92260.php
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