Review: ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ ends the brutal confrontation (Includes first-hand account)
Mankind has always insisted on climbing to the top, first of the food chain than the tower of power. Eventually, being king of their own local heap wasn’t enough and they went about conquering additional land, fighting bloody battles and feeding their desire for more. Living apart peacefully often seems against our natures, and thus nothing and no one are left to their own devices. In War for the Planet of the Apes, Caesar doesn’t want to fight but he may not have a choice.
After Caesar (Andy Serkis) killed Koba (Toby Kebbell) for launching his attack against the humans, he tried to retreat with the remaining apes deep into the forest. But once a threat, always a threat so with the help of the surviving rogue apes the military attempts to track them down. The human’s new leader, Colonel McCullough (Woody Harrelson), is a ruthless man who believes violence is the only way to save the human race, making any efforts to negotiate futile. As a result of the Colonel’s brutality, Caesar is left with no choice but to retaliate with force. Joined by his friends and soldiers at arms, Maurice, Rocket and Luca (Karin Konoval, Terry Notary and Michael Adamthwaite), as well as a stray called “Bad Ape,” Caesar embarks on a quest that could change the course of history and the tide of the war for which he never asked.
This is unquestionably the darkest film of the trilogy, but also the most compelling. While none of the new films maintained the campy nature of the original franchise, this one takes a very serious look at war that rivals some of its historically-based counterparts. Violence begets violence and one cannot always be expected to turn the other cheek. The battles are quite vicious, though it’s the people who lack humanity and compassion in these confrontations. Caesar and his clan abhor bloodshed, but will do what’s required to save their families including bearing arms and withdrawing any promise of mercy for their enemies.
The motion capture technology remains exceptionally good at portraying realistic simians with deep-running emotions and extraordinary intellect. Caesar struggles with the role of leader in a conflict he rejected, favouring the part of protector instead when big decisions must be made. In many situations, the apes communicate with just a look and its meaning is never unclear. The introduction of Bad Ape is bittersweet as he’s both the sweetest and saddest character amongst them, frightened and desperate but loyal and kind. Harrelson is an unsurprisingly excellent maniac, fanatical and unwavering until the end. He is Caesar’s polar opposite and biggest threat.
This film brings an appropriate conclusion to the prequel series as it combines emotion, action and absorbing characters.
Not all heroes are human. #WarForThePlanet arrives in theaters this Friday. pic.twitter.com/oxUaJnGCLq
— WarForThePlanet (@ApesMovies) July 12, 2017
Director: Matt Reeves
Starring: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson and Steve Zahn
