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War for the Planet of the Apes

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A scene in War for the Planet of the Apes. (Times Media Films)
A scene in War for the Planet of the Apes. (Times Media Films)

What it's about:

Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by the 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.

What we thought:

I never thought I’d be a fan of The Planet of the Apes. It’s just not my vibe.

In fact I didn’t even bother to go watch the first film in the reboot trilogy when it was released in cinemas in 2011. Only months later did I watch Rise of the Planet of the Apes on DVD when I had nothing else to do.

And then something weird happened. Rather unexpectedly I absolutely loved it. So, of course, I was first in line when Dawn of the Planet of the Apes hit cinemas in 2014. The second film surpassed all my expectations and I was undoubtedly a fan – hook, line and sinker. 

Obviously I was amped for the release of the third and final film in the trilogy, War for the Planet of the Apes. My excitement over the latest addition to this fantastic franchise was also met with some hesitation – will this final film flop and rain on the parade of my new-found cinematic obsession?

I’m pleased to say that War for the Planet of the Apes is, in my humble opinion, the best in the series. I’d even go as far as labelling it a “masterpiece”. 

In this instalment we see a lot less of the humans and the story moves into a darker, post-apocalyptic setting that sees us turning against our own kind. 

The ape cast have matured and the film has a more subdued and intellectual feel to it. It’s got equal parts brain and brawn – something modern day summer blockbusters lack. Most action adventure films these days lean more towards the latter. 

But this doesn’t mean the film is a snoozefest. Instead there’s an underlying tension that builds. The viewer can feel a thin line of tension running throughout the film from the very start. It is strung so tightly that even the tiniest disturbance causes a vibration that grows and finally erupts in a spectacular finale. 

This final instalment is a magnificent conclusion to this epic series and a diamond in the Planet of the Apes crown. Go watch it. It’s a well-crafted film that’s worth your time and money.



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