I’m not sure anyone was expecting these movies to be this good when the first one was announced. The fact that a movie called “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” starring James Franco and the guy who played Gollum was good enough to launch a trilogy is mindblowing. Plus this might be the only series I’ve watched where each movie was better than the one that came before it. Rise – surprisingly good movie, Dawn – great war movie, War – surprisingly fantastic low key movie that was basically Schindler’s List Ape Edition.

Woody Harrelson is great as a half-deranged Colonel determined to wipe out Caesar before being wiped out themselves. Definitely got some Brando vibes from Apocalypse Now. Of course Serkins gives another perfect performance as Caesar too. I actually wonder if he’ll be remembered for this series more than Lord of the Rings when it comes down to it. The other apes were great as well and I still can’t believe Maurice (big orangutan) was all CGI. Somehow he looked the most real out of all the apes:

If you haven’t already go see this movie this week/weekend. Just a heads up though, I and the friends I saw it with all thought it was much more intense than any of the others so be ready for that.

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