As Go Ape Month continues here at Monster Movie Kid and on the Classic Horrors Club Podcast, it’s time to revisit another article about the franchise. Next, let’s take a look at the next chapter in the reimagined franchise with Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014).
With a good story and solid CGI, it was no surprise that a sequel was announced for Rise of the Planet of the Apes. With the ALZ virus spreading at the end of that film, we were left to wonder if this was the apocalyptic moment of this franchise. Indeed it was. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes begins ten years after mankind’s civilization has collapsed. Caesar (once again played brilliantly by Andy Serkis) now leads a small society of apes in the Muir Woods, his refuge from the first film. Koba is his second-in-command and is looking for a more aggressive way to lead while orangutan Maurice is still providing words of wisdom for Caesar. Caesar is now married to Cornelia and has a son, Blue Eyes. Our film opens with Blue Eyes and another chimpanzee, Ash, encountering a human in the forest named Carver, who panics and shoots Ash. Carver quickly reunites with his friends while Blue Eyes gets his father and the apes. Caesar asks them to leave and they do. After not seeing or hearing from humans for years, it appears some have survived and could be a threat to their peaceful existence.
The survivors were immune to the ALZ virus and are struggling in the remains of San Francisco. They need electricity and believe a water plant in the forest could provide just that. Gary Oldman stars as Dreyfus, the war mongering leader of this ragtag group while Malcolm and his wife Ellie are heading up the group that wants to go into the forest to restore power. However, Caesar leads a large group of apes into the city and warns the humans to stay away. Most of the humans are shocked and scared to hear him speak but Malcolm wants another chance to earn the apes trust. Dreyfus gives him three days, during which time he is arming the humans and preparing for war.
Malcolm earns the trust of Caesar, especially after Ellie helps his ailing wife following the birth of their second child. However, just as Malcolm is unaware of Dreyfus’ actions back in San Francisco, Caesar is unaware that Koba has his owns plans for war. With the peace efforts between Caesar and Malcolm being thwarted by both Dreyfus and Koba, the two forces are headed for a confrontation. Ultimately, the final confrontation between Koba and Caesar is reminiscent of Caesar and Aldo from the early 70s, solidifying Caesar’s status as a dynamic leader.
Carrying similar themes seen in Battle for the Planet of the Apes, this movie far surpasses the efforts made back in 1973. The CGI continues to amaze to the point you believe you are looking at real apes. The battle sequences are fantastic and again, outside of the usual moment or two, you really get drawn into the events unfolding on the screen. Matt Reeves assumed the directorial reigns and moved the franchise beyond our modern world, as seen in the first film, into the post-apocalyptic world now jointly ruled by man and ape. Add to that a great soundtrack by Michael Giacchino and you have a really fun adventure.
I highly recommend Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Next, we wrap up the trilogy with War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)!
A version of this article was originally published in August 2014.
Monster Movie Kid 