★★★★
“What a wonderful day” indeed! Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is yet another strong entry in the Planet of the Apes franchise. I was both relieved and thrilled by how much I enjoyed it, even compared to the last nearly-perfect trilogy. I pretty much loved Kingdom, an action-spectacle that's shockingly mostly about how history and myth can empower or destroy while probing what we'll do to survive. There are flaws, such as the pacing, but it still lives up to the quality of the Matt Reeves/Andy Serkis films. Between Rise, Dawn, War, and now Kingdom, this series continues to be one of the very best franchise reboots out there. Wes Ball wisely takes his time establishing the state of the planet set many generations after the last film, exploring how the Christ-like legend of Caesar has spread for both good and evil, and introducing us to new characters we grow to care about. Ball directed the hell out of this, balancing painterly postcard-style shots with handheld, allowing the scale, beauty, and depth of the world to make an impact while the verisimilitude of a reactive camera hooks you in. It's everything a VFX-heavy blockbuster should be and is a tremendous visual feat with the best visual effects seen in a movie since Avatar: The Way Of Water while never once wavering from its emotional core.
Ball is also an ace with casting and working with actors. It was abundantly clear in the Maze Runner movies (even if the movies themselves are so-so), and now the same is true here, too. Owen Teague gives his whole heart to Noa, and you can feel it. Freya Allan is a powerhouse as Mae, one of the most fascinating characters to track. And I truly can’t imagine a better casting for Proximus Caesar than Kevin Durand. (The only downside to Durand being such a force in that role? I wanted more of him. In fact, I’d watch a whole prequel film covering how he developed his perception of humankind and came into power.)
Josh Friedman’s script is really interested in exploring the legacy that Ceasar left behind, which I found very compelling. He’s revered as a Jesus-type figure and I really liked how different factions interpret his legacy differently. Some for good, others for bad. It feels very reflective of our real-world history, and how leaders in our time and the past weaponize religion to fit their interests. This is an original story that feels like a natural progression of what came before. Setting the story hundreds of years after War was a brilliant choice. It’s fascinating to see what’s become of Caesar’s impact on the apes, but it also ensures anyone can watch and enjoy this particular installment. I’m also a big fan of how intimate and character-first the events of the film feel, while still clearly conveying how deeply profound and significant they are. The biggest reason I love this film, even considering all of its technical brilliance, is the story— the core idea behind this movie is why it works. Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes takes place decades after the reign of Caesar in which we now see a complete societal role reversal: apes lead, humans follow. It’s a simple premise that lends itself to so many subplots and narratives, one of which is the shadow of Caesar over the new generation of apes. I consider Kingdom to be a quintessential summer blockbuster— the set design, CGI, and rich storytelling is the exact type of film I’m looking for in an early summer release. It really feels like a classic Hollywood adventure flick!
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is a worthy successor to the throne. A bold leap into the future of this world that hooked me immediately. It’s a genuinely exciting action adventure, perhaps larger in scope than the last films, but just as grounded in honest emotion. Of course, it’s thrilling and filled with breathtaking visuals, but it’s also full of fascinating questions about humanity, history, and what’s next. It does have more of a “blockbuster” vibe than the artistry of Dawn and War, but that’s not a knock. This is a great time. Kingdom feels like the start of an epic new saga. I need to see the next one ASAP! It's fitting that this franchise continues to find smart new ways to evolve, even or especially as the rest of Hollywood grows that much dumber around it.
Film Info:
Comments