The Masked Critic's Lair

THE MASKED CRITIC’s Review of the Movie: Rise of the Planet of The Apes

First thing I have to make clear, do not go into this movie thinking this movie is about apes it can’t be good because anyone who is smart enough to appreciate all films will tell you that you are dead wrong.

Was I expecting much from a prequel to a 43 year old movie? To tell you the truth no but I am a sucker for any prequel or sequel (plus my friend paid for my ticket.LOL).

O & to clear something up, this movie can be considered a prequel to the original 5 (No I don’t count that awful one that had Mark Wahlberg in it.) but none of the directors of this or the original have said that this is what happened before hand just that this is what could have happened to cause the later movies.

Don’t worry no spoilers but I will say this about the plot.

This movie is about the possible history behind earth’s later domination by Apes. But focuses a lot on different themes which include the constant internal battle Human kind has betweens its capacity to show hate, anger, and greed Vs. Human kind’s capacity to show love, compassion, and hope. As well as the affects we do not realize we have on the world around us. The inhumane practices of using Apes, Chimps, etc as test subjects.  I will say this regardless of what you believe in, you cannot say that you can look into the eyes of a saddened creature & not shed a tear.

This film delivers the right combination of action & mystery. Although the original films hinted that extinction of most of humanity was due to nuclear fallout, a new cause in this film re-imagines our population decline in the form of a virus that does harm to humans and makes apes smarter. The ape rebellion scenes were well done especially the golden gate bridge scene. The cinematography was also very spectacular to look at.

Easter Eggs & Callbacks

Almost every character in this new film is named after 1 or more characters from the original 5 movies

Most notably there is the O so very popular quote from the original film, “Take you’re stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape!”- (delivered by Tom Felton, yes Draco Malfoy.LOL)

Let me warn you now -There will be apes on horseback (Again)

During a news report in the background a new shuttle is seen taking off. It is called the (Icarus). Which is also the name of the ship from the earlier films that travels into the future & crash lands. Later on another report reveals that contact with the ship was lost-(This can be interpreted that the events of the original films are still unfolding)

Finally in one of the earlier scenes contains the ape character Cesar, who can be seen playing with a mini Statue of Liberty. (I hope I don’t have to explain this inside joke to anyone.LOL)

In the end I have to give this movie a well deserved 9 out of 10.

THE MASKED CRITC HAS SPOKEN!!!!