The Rise of the Planet of the Apes- Rupert Wyatt

Oh Draco Malfoy why did you have to piss off the smart monkey?! But how was he supposed to know this doped up primate was going to trigger the fall of man kind. Just goes to show, sometimes you can't predict the repercussions of your actions. And for the poor Dodge Landon (Tom Felton a.k.a. Draco), waving the magic wand/ taser  ended up being the last time for a true movie asshole.

The Rise of the Planet of the Apes is what you expect it to be, except much better. There are massive apes jumping around and tormenting the city of San Francisco but the story line behind Caesar is what makes it. Most of the film is dedicated to the life of the maturing chimp. Caesar is James Franco's take home science experiment that will hopefully lead to the cure for Alzheimers, which his father has tragically been diagnosed with. In the race against time Franco rapidly tries to grasp the concept for the ultimate cure that will bring his father back to him. But in the mean time Caesar has been deemed the bully on the block and taken into a wildlife preserve, and that is where history begins.

The Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a movie that will have you interacting with the screen and the people around you. You will be laughing, maybe crying, and open mouthed during some scenes. And even though you may feel like you can predict what happens next (monkey see, monkey conquer) you won't. And right at the climax of the movie you will sink back in your seat and get a little chilly. You will know what i am talking about when you look down and see the goosebumps on your arms and Draco Malfoy shitting himself. Then all hell breaks loose and the amazement of how smart these "stupid monkeys"are will never end. The human made drug caused one ape to lead a revolt similar to William Wallace's in Braveheart. But these soldiers are a little huskier and more pissed off, and if there is a sequel Caesar will be Hollywood's new legendary war hero. With that cute chimp face we all have to admit that we wanted the Apes to rise over man kind. Which is strange, but another example of how persuasive Hollywood has become.

The ending of the film was a little abrupt for me, but nevertheless got where the director wanted it to go, and that is on to the next one. After the credits roll for a bit there is another scene that is crucial for where Rupert Wyatt is going to take the project. A perfect set up for the next stage in the ape revolution. In my opinion Wyatt saved a classic from being buried in the garbage for ever. He revived the story line with his own brand that is safe to say was pretty successful. And will be successful if he decides to continue the story line into the years to come.
Grade: A-           
Actors: 


James Franco: Recent Work (127 Hours, Pineapple Express, Milk ) Future Work ( Oz: The Great and Powerful, The Iceman, Sal )

Freida Pinto: Recent Work (Slumdog Millionaire, You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger ) Future Work (Immortals, Trishna)

John Lithgow: Recent Work (Dexter (TV), Shrek, Orange County ) Future Work (Prohibition (TV), New Years Eve, This Is Forty )