Having been a fan of the Rise, Dawn and War of the Planet of the Apes movies as a kid, I was excited to have the opportunity to watch the exclusive preview screening of the latest Planet of the Apes movie hosted by 20th Century Studios.
Seven years since the release of the last movie in the series, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes was a fascinating introduction to a new world, several generations after the death of the iconic Caesar, voiced by Andy Serkis.
With the apes as the dominant species and the humans in the shadows, it was a different time compared to Caesar’s era, where humans and apes lived together in harmony.
This new chapter, directed by Wes Ball and written by Josh Friedman, follows a young ape, Noa, on a transformative coming-of-age journey that challenges everything he knows about himself and his clan.
His first encounter with a human, Mae, is followed by the destruction of his Eagle clan (this is important towards the end) and his father’s death, whose approval he has constantly sought.
As his father takes his last breath, Noa promises to find out who was behind this and save his clan. The story follows as he meets Raka, a wise orangutan who becomes an ally to Noa and helps him form a bond with Mae, whom Noa neither likes nor trusts since she is human.
Together, they must navigate a world where the lines between friend and foe are blurred, and the future of both apes and humans hangs in the balance, each with their agendas, eventually fighting Proximus, a ruthless and self-proclaimed ape king.
While the film does take some time to set up its new characters and establish the timeline, it is visually appealing, with stunning special effects that bring the ape civilisation to life. From the towering ape cityscapes to the dense, lush forests, each frame immerses the audience in this post-apocalyptic world.
The film also deals with many emotional concepts, including family bonds, the importance of loyalty and trust, power, and sacrifice.
Owen Teague brings depth and emotion to Noa as he grapples with his legacy and the choices before him. At the same time, Freya Allan is silent and secretive like her character, Mae, but she looks beautiful throughout the film despite her frayed clothes and the turmoils of being in constant survival mode.
I also would’ve loved to see more of Raka and his history, but Peter Macon delivered an excellent performance as the side character.
However, by its end, the movie left a few questions unanswered, which will hopefully be addressed in the upcoming movies as the franchise progresses.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is not just a sci-fi story but also about identity, power, and the complexities of coexistence. While it may not have reached the heights of its predecessors, with amazing visuals, great characters and themes, this film is a wonderful addition to the iconic franchise. #ApesTogetherStrong
