See it at the Movies

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Joyce and Don Fowler
Posted 7/17/14

* * * *

(Exciting, violent

allegory) 

If there ever was an anti-war, anti-violence movie, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is it.

Following up on the last “Apes” movie, this …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in
See it at the Movies

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

Posted

* * * *

(Exciting, violent allegory) 

If there ever was an anti-war, anti-violence movie, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is it.

Following up on the last “Apes” movie, this sequel begins by filling us in on what got us to the brink of destruction. You may remember that the Simian Flu virus developed in the humans’ labs and spread by the apes has destroyed much of civilization. Humans blame the apes; apes blame the humans.

A group of humans in what’s left of San Francisco are fighting for survival, while nearby in Muir Woods the apes have settled. The humans need the power from the non-functioning dam in ape territory to restore electricity and make contact with the outside world.

Jason Clarke plays Malcolm, the gentle, compassionate man who seeks to make peace with Caesar (Andy Serkis), leader of the apes. They agree to let a group of humans attempt to fix the problem and restore electricity.

Easier said than done, as there are good apes and bad apes and good humans and bad humans. Trigger-happy humans end the truce and war breaks out.

We won’t tell you how it all ends, but there is a glint of hope among the despair and the distinct possibility that the saga will call for another sequel.

The movie is a fascinating allegory of the human condition. There are good and bad on both sides. There is mistrust, and the need for trust.

Humans and apes are different. Can they survive alongside or separate from each other?

A poignant moment and turning point in the movie happens when an ape kills another ape, in spite of the marking on a rock ledge that proclaims “Apes don’t kill other apes,” something you might see in the ghetto of any country.

The opening scene will blow you away, as we watch the apes fighting off bears. The motion capture technique has been perfected to the point where you buy into an ape colony that has human-like qualities and can even ride horseback, think, reason and talk.

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” is movie-making at its best. If you can find your way through the violence and can appreciate the messages, you will enjoy the amount of imagination and technique that went into the making of this movie.

Rated PG-13 for its violence, intensity and some profanity.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here