Storyline
Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.
Writers: Mark Bomback, Matt Reeves, Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Karin Konoval, Amiah Miller, Terry Notary, Ty Olsson, Michael Adamthwaite, Toby Kebbell, Gabriel Chavarria, Judy Greer, Sara Canning, Devyn Dalton, Aleks Paunovic, Alessandro Juliani, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Cast: Andy Serkis -
Caesar
Woody Harrelson -
The Colonel
Steve Zahn -
Bad Ape
Karin Konoval -
Maurice
Amiah Miller -
Nova
Terry Notary -
Rocket
Ty Olsson -
Red Donkey
Michael Adamthwaite -
Luca
Toby Kebbell -
Koba
Gabriel Chavarria -
Preacher
Judy Greer -
Cornelia
Sara Canning -
Lake
Devyn Dalton -
Cornelius
Aleks Paunovic -
Winter
Alessandro Juliani -
Spear
Taglines:
For freedom. For family. For the planet.
Filming Locations: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Technical Specs
Runtime:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
The little girl named Nova is named after the character played by Linda Harrison in the first and second films in the original franchise. See more »
Quotes:
User Review
Author:
Rating: 10/10
War for the Planet of the Apes, the third film in what I would call a
classic trilogy, probably the best all-around set of three we've gotten
in the 21st Century, hands down.
This is why we go to the movies. In 2011 no one was expecting much from
another Planet of the Apes movie, especially after the Tim Burton
debacle 10 years before it. But we came away from it not only
entertained, but with a feeling that we just watched an iconic
character being born.
Caesar will be to apes what Hugh Jackman is to Wolverine and right now
both are looking like Oscar contenders, finally.
Both characters are also involved in a war of another's making, also
against humans. Caesar has agreed that those in his tribe must go to
higher ground for their own protection and he even stays behind to lead
the military away from the rest of them.
This is a Caesar we've seen go from innocent child to cruelly-treated
animal to fair and peaceful leader to the regrettable warrior he's had
to become because Koba, the ape he trusted, threw him back into this
fight. He wanted nothing more than protection for his family and tribe.
Anyone who thinks Andy Serkis isn't doing some of the best acting
they've ever seen here has no idea what acting even is. The ape-body
movements have almost become second nature now to the severe emotions
of guilt and anger that Caesar is going through.
Serkis is bringing all that out and no, if he does win something that
doesn't mean that he has to bring all the visual effects people up with
him. Did Daniel Day Lewis have to bring up the make-up people when he
won for "Lincoln"? No. Why is this any different? The motion- capture
performer needs to be recognized, and there has been no better than
Serkis.
I also love that Caesar is also fighting this final battle here and his
same brothers who helped him escape captivity in the first film
voluntarily are right along with him for this. It has a "Saving Private
Ryan"/ "Band of Brothers" type vibe, and this is not the only time i'll
be making reference to other war films throughout this review.
But yeah these are a lovable and gentle group of 5 apes, so chill and
laid back but willing to do anything for Caesar and that is really cool
and really touching, particularly the relationship between Caesar and
Maurice. Steve Zahn also joined the pack as a comic relief ape who
sorta reminded me a bit of Dobby, but he's OK.
And remember I told you I would be making more references to war
movies? Well Woody Harrelson's villain is a brilliantly conceived
psychopath who definitely compares to a classic character from film
history, but I won't say who for fear of giving too much away. But I
will say Harrelson is perfect for something like this and is the best
villain this summer so far.
A major amount of credit should be given to director Matt Reeves, and
screenwriters Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver, least of
which for making an ape riding on horseback so much cooler, and less
stupid, with each passing movie.
The fact that Reeves is going to be directing the next Batman movie is
particularly interesting to me because the guy doesn't revel in
violence in any way. His work on these Apes movies is of violence as a
sad necessity. That's Caesar, and that's also more of a Batman people
can get behind.
Yes, battles bookend this film and there is also a pretty neat
avalanche sequence towards the end but this is a summer blockbuster
that doesn't feel the need to give us one over-the- top action sequence
after the next and you know what, it proves that's OK.
It has a somber tone but is never depressing. There's a great theme
here linking consciousness and the darker parts of human nature, and
the film runs the gamut of being heartbreaking, moving, suspenseful,
and even inspiring. Yes, Caesar being tied to a cross in one scene is a
bit on the nose as far as symbolism, but he's earned it.
Lastly, Michael Giacchino's musical score just sends this finale of
Caesar's saga off right. The whole series has just been outstanding.
This is what happens when you devote efforts to the here and now rather
than to some distant universe (looking at you The Mummy) and on making
sure plot threads make sense and have purpose (looking at you
Transformers).
It's also what happens when your lead actor is fantastic, when the
heart is in the right place, when the goal is the make something that
stands the test of time and that will make people want to automatically
want to go back to it and say that was one hell of a hero that series
created. If you know me, you know I don't usually overstate things but
this is a classic up there with Star Wars, Lord of the Rings, Nolan's
Batman trilogy. Add it to the last.
If you liked this, check out Craig James Review on Youtube for more.
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