Movie Review: ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,’ a thunderous return to the Apes franchise
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is a thunderous return to the Planet of the Apes franchise, bringing a familiar tone to an all-new adventure. It’s the best type of movie to kick off the summer. Here’s our review.
A Future For Apes and Humans Alike
“As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.”
I’m going to be honest; I am probably one of the biggest “Planet of the Apes” fans around. To be clear, when I say “Planet of the Apes,” I don’t mean the original films that came out in the ’70s. I am a die-hard fan of the Andy Serkis remakes. Don’t believe me? Just look at the “Planet of Apes” tattoo I got back in 2018. I’m a fan.
For me, the Andy Serkis “Planet of the Apes” trilogy (2011-2017) was one of the greatest trilogies to grace theaters. It’s refreshing for a remake have a cohesive, meaningful story that pays homage to the original films while creating something new at the same time. Just like Cesar did for the apes, these films paved the way, giving this franchise new life.
300-Year Time Jump
Right from the jump, the new “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” lets you know that while this film takes place 300 plus years after the events of its predecessor, “War for the Planet of the Apes,” the legacy of Caesar looms large. I wasn’t fully expecting the films to connect in terms of story, but despite the significant time jump, the story feels like a natural progression, connecting seamlessly to the earlier trilogy.
The biggest reason for the seamless jump to a new story is the immense world-building accomplished in such a short amount of time. Director Wes Ball (“The Maze Runner” trilogy) wastes no time immersing you in complex new characters and the now-overgrown Earth on which they live.
Visual Effects on Another Level
While Ball should be given his flowers for what he accomplishes with his first entry in this new “Planet of the Apes” story, this film would not work without the visual effects team at Wētā FX. Describing the film’s visuals as merely impressive would be an understatement. The previous trilogy showcased excellent performance capture, but Wētā team takes it to another level for “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes.” The detail is astounding, right down to the individual strands of hair on the apes.
I can see the direction 20th Century Studios is taking this franchise, and I could not be more excited. The groundwork is laid for the new characters, specifically the main protagonist, Noa. The film introduces complex “Game of Thrones”-type characters, leaving audiences unsure of their decisions. I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” brings you back into the vast post-apocalyptic world of the apes, while setting up something special that will be relevant for years to come. Being such a fan of the previous trilogy, it warms my heart to have this movie be as good as it is. If you’re looking for an epic summer adventure, look no further.
SCORE: 4/5
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is rated PG-13. There are no post-credit scenes, but there is a post-credit sound. It’s worth sticking around for.
Apes on the Red Carpet
Apes on horseback attended the world premiere of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” in Hollywood on May 2, 2024:
