War for the Planet of the Apes

It’s hard to believe that it’s been six years since Rise of the Planet of the Apes hit theatres with a surprising powerhouse combo of emotion and great thrills. In 2011, Rise quickly and easily became a frontrunner for the best film in the franchise. What’s truly incredible, however, is how its sequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, was arguably better and vied for that title as well. But, here we are -- six years after Rise and three after Dawn, director Matt Reeves and company deliver yet another unbelievably great film, one that focuses on character, has emotional weight, and providing a satisfying conclusion to one of the best blockbuster trilogies of the past 20 years -- of all time, even. War for the Planet of the Apes is arguably the best Apes film ever: harrowing, dark, emotional and bleak, War is the third excellent film in the franchise in a row, and a grippingly satisfying conclusion to this part of the apes’ story.

It’s easy to get lost in the wonder that comes with War, as it is a very different kind of film than anything we’ve seen from the series so far. Kicking things off with an intense battle, War does a great job at showing the desperate nature of humanity to eliminate the apes they deem a threat. And War continues on at a great pace: the first 45 minutes or so are pitch-perfect, and while I think the film slows down a tad around the second act and the introduction of Steve Zahn’s character, Bad Ape, I do think that it whips back into shape in time for some of the most brutal and harrowing scenes I’ve seen this year. But the wonder really comes from the CGI, as to be expected from the last two films, which is more lifelike than ever. I never once thought I was watching CG characters, like some action scenes in 2011’s Rise, the entire time I was immersed in the characters on screen as if they were real apes. I have massive respect for everyone involved in the visual effects department. These characters are a two way street, though, and while it certainly isn’t possible to have the apes without the VFX team, it also isn’t possible to have the apes without the people in the mocap suits, Andy Serkis in particular, who bring the film to new heights with the emotion and gravity behind each word of dialogue. And my God, the music is beautiful and haunting, some of Giacchino's best work.

It’s bold for a blockbuster to tackle as serious of themes as War did, and without getting too deep into a plot synopsis, some of the allegories towards deep problems in our society and our dark past is clear, and presented in a brutal and realistic fashion. At the head of this madness is Woody Harrelson’s Colonel -- a menacing and frightening figure, yet one with a certain level of relatability and depth: we may have gotten to know Caesar and crew over two movies, but if we were put in this situation without any knowledge of who the apes actually are, would we react differently? With Harrelson’s great performance and sound, well explained motivations, War for the Planet of the Apes is elevated to something more than your average blockbuster… one with deep meanings, well developed characters (on both sides) and a dark, allegorical moral conflict that taps into our deeper instincts as a species. It’s truly remarkable, and, although the franchise has always been a pioneer for this political and societal satire, it’s rarely been as deep and necessary, for lack of a better word, than War is.

At the end of the day, War for the Planet of the Apes is nothing short of a work of art. Its characters, visual effects and story, as well as what that story entails for deeper meanings, in unparalleled in its genre. War is hardly even a blockbuster, but rather, an excellent, allegorical and metaphorical film that examines our society and past, that just happens to have a crazy budget. Reeves' direction is more than solid, as always, and if this is what we can expect from The Batman, I’d say it’s in good hands.

*******************************************************************************************************

9 out of 10