“Could it be possible? A modern trilogy that was a prequel to a revered franchise, AND every entry in the trilogy is solid? I don’t know what planet I’m living in, but yes it is possible. The success and quality of Rise and Dawn gave me high hopes for War, although I was skeptical there would be more battle that substance. I needn’t have worried.
War picks up some time after Dawn (with a really nicely put together recap at the beginning). Caesar and his family of apes have been hiding from human soldiers, but have now been discovered. As the apes move on to find a new haven, Caesar sets out to take on the humans. All that sounds pretty standard and expected. What was unexpected was how freaking emotional the whole movie was. Srsly, the whole time, nothing but feels.
At first, I thought it was just me. Generally speaking, primates of all varieties are my favorite animals, so I thought maybe it was just that that had me into it. Then I watched some of the other reactions on Stardust when I got home, and found the same comment from so many users. This movie is really emotional. I find it interesting that a war movie starring apes is more emotional than most war movies starring humans. What does that say about us? I don’t know.
But yeah, the movie was non stop on the feels, and on the story throughout. Certainly among the most solid bluckbusters you’re gonna find this summer. The other thing that impressed me was how good the CGI has gotten. It’s to the point where you take it for granted. You don’t think about the fact that you’re seeing computerized characters. They just are the characters
And on the subject of characters, it’s been a while since I’ve met a new one on screen that I’ve loved as much as Steve Zahn’s Bad Ape. I’ve always thought the phrase “”my heart is full”” was way too cheesy and I kinda didn’t understand it, but that’s what I felt every time I saw him. He stole every scene, and could have used more. He made me laugh, he made me worry, he just made a great movie that much better.
So as previously stated, a solid (supposed) end to a solid trilogy. In Apes we trust.
War for the Planet of the Apes – \m/ \m/ \m/ \m/”