About the film (courtesy of 20th Century Studios):
Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
The Planet of the Apes franchise has been somewhat of a cornerstone of science fiction for decades, and Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes aims to further solidify that legacy. Set many years after the events of the captivating Caesar trilogy, this film plunges us into a world where the apes have firmly established their dominance. Humans, though not totally extinct, are a fractured remnant of their former glory, struggling for survival in a world that’s no longer their own.
Directed by Wes Ball of the Maze Runner films, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes brings a visually breathtaking experience. The sequel showcases sweeping vistas of overgrown ruins intertwined with burgeoning ape settlements. The apes themselves are more expressive and detailed than ever, thanks to advanced motion-capture technology. Every snarl, every flicker of understanding in their eyes, conveys the complexity of this intelligent, evolving society.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes introduces a host of new characters, both ape and human. At the center is a young ape named Noa, played by Owen Teague. Noa embodies the spirit of a generation born into a world shaped by ape ascendency. He’s curious and defiant, longing for a life beyond the boundaries of his tribe. On the human side, Mae, played by Freya Allen, shows that despite her diminished state, humanity hasn’t completely yielded.
One of the most compelling aspects of Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is its exploration of the uneasy balance of power. The apes, despite their intelligence and organization, are just as prone to godlike complexes as their human counterparts were. Rival factions and power struggles are evident, suggesting that their society is fraught with the same challenges that plagued humankind. The film seems poised to question both the inevitability of human decline and the inherent stability of ape rule.
The visuals displayed in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes are of an elite level. From both a landscape and settings perspective, along with the incredible CGI work on the apes, specifically with stunningly vivid representations of facial expressions that speak volumes consistently throughout the 145 minute runtime, the experience is very pleasing to the eye.
The legacy of Caesar looms large in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. References to his leadership and echoes of his conflicts raise questions about whether the apes have truly learned from past mistakes or are doomed to repeat them. This theme adds a layer of tragic inevitability to the narrative, hinting at a potentially turbulent future.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes stands to be a thrilling and thought-provoking entry into a beloved franchise. It delivers on promises of action, stunning visuals, and nuanced examinations of power, morality, and the delicate interplay between species. While maintaining the core elements that make Planet of the Apes so appealing, it ventures into new territory, setting the stage for a bold new era in this ever-evolving saga. This story seems to be far from over.
You can experience Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes in theaters everywhere starting this Friday, May 10th. If you’re extra eager, many theaters are offering earlier than normal showtimes on Thursday afternoon starting at 3 PM.
