Film Review: War For The Planet of The Apes

Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama

Cert: 12A

Director: Matt Reeves

Screenwriter: (written by) Mark Bomback & Matt Reeves (based on characters created by) Rick Jaffa  & Amanda Silver 


Starring: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Karin Konoval, Amiah Miller, Terry Notary, Ty Olsson, Michael Adamthwaite,  Toby Kebbell, Gabriel Chavarria, Judy Greer, Sara Canning,  Devyn Dalton, Aleks Paunovic, Alessandro Juliani

Running time: 2h 20min

Parents advised reading before viewing a film as some scene may contain scenes unsuitable for younger viewers.

Sex & Nudity: Main 

Violence & Gore: Moderate Violence from the BBFC as well as Injury detail from the BBFC.

Expect a lot of guerrilla violence throughout

Profanity: Nope 

Alcohol/Drugs/Smoking: None

Frightening/Intense Scenes: MPAA OFFICAL RATING PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, thematic elements, and some disturbing images. BBFC OFFICAL RATING 12A for Moderate Violence and Injury Detail.

Story: Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.

Likes: "APE TOGETHER STRONG" This film truly shows this with perfection as Matt Reeves is an incredible director throughout this trilogy, especially with the third film to end the trilogy showing one hell of a complete masterpiece in a film showing humanity at it best.

Along with its C.G. I.- which is incredibly real and not once throughout the whole film does it look out of place- choreography and dialogue between characters are just outstanding, with compelling moments and a story that shows the apes humanity in just trying to survive.

Through most of this film- from start to finish- I was in tears with the emotional concepts, especially with what this film does; the more human touch in this film is a nice, giving the family feel as you feel more for these apes than the humans as they are made to be the good guys and not some savage animals.

There are two touching scenes in this film, with the gorilla and the girl that was seen in the trailer that just melts your heart. I'm not joking- these scenes if you have a sense of humanity in yourself, will melt your heart. It’s scenes like this that had most of the audience in tears, which is incredible in showing humanity in the apes, giving a more human trait of kindness which goes a long way.

Throughout the film, we are given intense, compelling moments- by the end of the film, you’re just in tears. Above all, Andy Serkis should get an Oscar for his performance for this last film of the trilogy, especially with the way he played Caesar- he was phenomenal all the way through the trilogy; but showing him, as a father and a leader just trying to protect his people who didn't want war, is incredible.

The compelling way Caesar gives the speeches conveys a real sense of the conflict within himself to keep the peace while trying not to become Koba, which was one of a few powerful moments that give the film some sense of why he would protect his family and people while trying to show they aren't savages.

This is why this film is incredible and a masterpiece- not only in does it show something humanity has lost, but it shows the true nature of being human; by showing mercy and compassion, which make this film beautiful to watch.

Not only do you get a compelling, emotionally incredible film, this movie does bring a sense of humour from Steve Zahn, who brilliantly gives the audience these absolutely hilarious moments with an ape called “Bad Ape”. It's these moments in the movie that were truly the best comical moments through the film that give you a break from the emotionally bleak, dark, and heartbreaking moments with a great balance.

The film has this Apocalypse Now and Great Escape feels to it in some ways, but that beautiful and compelling ending was so beautifully done- like an ending out of Watership Down- I seriously couldn’t ask for a better ending to a trilogy. Matt Reeves is truly one of the best directors in bringing a compelling, emotional, dramatic, intense movie on the big screen. This is a film I highly recommend watching.     

Dislikes: My only two gripes about the film:

• One isn't the film itself, it's the 3D version of the film, which was forced in the cinema as there wasn't a 2D showing on the advance screenings; don't bother watching it in 3D. It’s nothing special and the 3D version kind of didn't help the film. This is because the sign language on the screen to show what they were saying was slightly blurred and the screen didn't look right in 3D, so 2D is better with this film.

• The other one was okay, but I feel this part should have been given to an actor who had a military role before. No offence to Woody Harrelson- he a great actor- but this role he just didn’t quite seem in place as a commander; he was a little off, which is why I feel this could've been given to Ed Harris or Matthew McConaughey, as these actors would've been better here.

Apart from this, the film is a masterpiece. Questions for the audiences who’ve seen it: What did you think of it? Do you feel it could've been done better, or do you think the film was grandstanding?

Overall: Masterpiece of a film, “Ape stronger together” says it all in this final film, great compelling, emotional, gripping story of humanity and family. Totally worth watching and recommended the film to watch.

Rating: 5 out of 5 for Entertainment / 10 out of 10 for compelling, beautifully made film.