Day 157: "Caesar is home."

I must admit, after the 2001 debacle that called itself Planet of the Apes, I was highly skeptical that any film to follow, if the were any, would be just as, if not more atrocious.  I am happy to say I am wrong.  Rise of the Planet of the Apes not only reboots the franchise in style, but there is depth to the story as well.  No longer relegated to the scriptwriters' kiddie table, Rise shows the audience the folly of human arrogance and the consequences that ensue (in the obvious sci-fi way here, but the lesson is still valid).  While testing a potential cure for Alzheimer's Disease, a young scientist discovers beneficial side effects in his primate test subjects.  A demonstration goes horribly wrong, and his project is cancelled, but not before he takes the baby of the initial subject home.  Years pass, and Caesar grows, not just physically, but emotionally and intellectually.  Another unfortunate accident happens, and Caesar is taken by animal control.  From here, all hell breaks loose.  The apes are no longer men in prosthetics, but fully realized motion captured CGI characters.  Technology caught up with the dreams of the filmmakers, and the result is spectacular.  There are plenty of clever plays on the story from the original 1968 Planet of the Apes as well, as Caesar is now the stranger in a strange land.  If you have seen and liked the original, the irony will not be lost.

James Franco, again playing wooden very convincingly, is the scientist Will Rodman.  It's a good thing the movie's attraction was elsewhere.  John Lithgow is Will's father, doing his usual marvelous work.  Tom Felton is Caesar's main adversary Dodge Landon (another inside joke from the 1968 original, watch it and you'll get it) an animal control employee with a sadistic streak (quite a stretch).  Best of all is renowned mo-cap actor Andy Serkis as Caesar.  He continues to impress with his natural physical acting style.  Also appearing are Brian Cox, Freida Pinto, and David Oyelowo.

This is a wonderful reboot to one of my all-time favorite franchises.  The series has grown up and, if they can manage to keep the camp out, might have a future again.  I am actually excited to see if another good film can come of this.  Definitely do not wait for video on this, as it looks really good on the big screen.  No more cheesy make-ups (I'm looking directly at you Tim Burton), no more campiness, GO APE!!  8.75/10.

See you tomorrow, and GO WATCH A MOVIE!!