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Director: Matt Reeves; Screenwriters: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, Mark Bomback; Starring: Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Andy Serkis, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee; Running time: 130 mins; Certificate: 12A

Three years after Rise of the Planet of the Apes stunned many with its quality, Dawn builds on these foundations with an emotionally powerful and visually stunning tale documenting the conflicts between humans and apes trying to survive in a world ravaged by a killer virus. A thought-provoking blockbuster, it serves as the perfect antidote to Transformers: Age of Extinction.

Set ten years after Rise, the gripping story focuses on a colony of genetically evolved apes led once again by the compassionate and determined figure of Caesar (Andy Serkis). Living in a vast forest, they feel vulnerable when a group of gun-bearing human survivors approach them in desperate need of resources. An uneasy alliance is formed, with the cleverly structured script ensuring our hopes are all pinned on a peaceful resolution as a bond of trust forms between Caesar and benevolent human Malcolm (Jason Clarke).

20th Century Fox

Sadly it's not long before aggressive individuals on both sides feel compelled to strike the first blow through fear of extinction. But will the force of Gary Oldman's terrified human leader Dreyfus prevail over the hatred-fuelled chimp Koba (Toby Kebbell)? What unfolds is utterly engrossing, full of moral complexity and laden with allegories, giving us emotional undulations that veer between elation and dejection. Combined with spectacular imagery, it's a near perfect blockbuster.

Cloverfield director Matt Reeves orchestrates the tension and claustrophobia wonderfully well, immersing us in a dangerous environment of baying apes and gun-toting humans, of imposing trees and intimidating tower blocks.

This helps to heighten the acts of kindness that ultimately shine through the darkness. Those quiet, tender moments, like Malcolm and Caesar resting their heads on each other, are the ones that scream out loud. The glorious action scenes are so effective because we've invested in the fortunes of those involved and whose lives are threatened. While our eyes feast upon the aesthetic delights, our hearts ache as we yearn for certain characters (human and ape) to survive the mass bloodshed.

Dawn says a great deal about human/primate nature and enhances our understanding of our own wartorn world. Indeed, the war that emerges between humans and apes is effectively built on a lie - which evokes the feelings of many about the invasion of Iraq over alleged WMDs.

20th Century Fox



The strength of the writing and performances ensure that we understand (if not condone) the motivations behind the hostile actions perpetrated by those intent on pre-emptive attack as a form of defence. With Koba for instance, we're reminded of the relentless torturous testing he was subjected to while caged by scientists in the previous movie.

It's fascinating to note the parity between humans and apes in terms of screen time, which highlights the technological brilliance behind the visual creation of the latter through motion capture of actors and subsequent CGI work. You feel like you're watching a performance rather than a collection of pixels, and it would be a crying shame if Andy Serkis and Toby Kebbell are not given any awards recognition (alongside the animators). The humans are also well cast, with Jason Clarke providing an understated and dependable presence while Gary Oldman manages to evoke pathos for his character every time we want to label him an utter bastard.





You feel like you're watching a performance rather than a collection of pixels, and it would be a crying shame if Andy Serkis and Toby Kebbell are not given any awards recognition (alongside the animators).



A powerful ending certainly tests the emotions and will cause many embarrassed cinemagoers to cite a high pollen count. The tears aren't necessarily induced by sadness though. The beauty of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes lies in how we don't root for either species to win. We treat each individual, whether human or ape, on his or her own merits. This is the way it should be.

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