'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' Review: Wes Ball's visual masterpiece pulls at the heartstrings
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' hits the screens on Friday, May 10, 2024, extending the beloved 'Planet of the Apes' saga, set 300 years post-Caesar.
The movie sees the rise of a new protagonist, Noa (Owen Teague), who faces off against the antagonist, Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand) after the latter kidnaps his mother and fellow community members.
Through his journey, Noa learns the virtues taught by Caesar which will help him build a future that is based on compassion and co-existence.
Accompanying him on this odyssey is Raka (Peter Macon), an orangutan who serves as his mentor, and Mae (Freya Allan), a human driven by her agenda to reach Proximus Caesar's settlement.
The film delivers a visual spectacle while presenting a well-structured narrative, culminating in a gratifying payoff for viewers. Here is our detailed review of the film.
Excellent visual effects are the highlight of 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes'
(@20th Century Studios)
The visual effects supervisor Erik Winquist and director Wes Ball have left no stone unturned in making 'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' a visual masterpiece.
The film's motion capture is flawless, breathing life into the most intricate expressions and nuances with remarkable precision.
Owen Teague, Kevin Durand, and Peter Macon deliver outstanding performances, portraying characters that resonate closely with humanity.
Freya Allan shines in her portrayal of the human character Mae, delivering an excellent performance.
The music of the film is exceptional, particularly in the third act of the film and the score elevates the film to new heights.
An emotional narrative is the soul of this film
At the core of this Planet of the Apes film is the evolution of Noa as a protagonist. His transformation from a young primate to the savior of his clan is both inspiring and virtuous.
At a subliminal level, the makers of this film tell a story of love and co-existence. Throughout the movie, Noa keeps making choices that turn him into a hero by the end.
Our favorite sequence of the film comes at the very end where Mae and Noa meet for the final time. Their conversation about coexistence transcends the film's universe, provoking profound reflection in the viewer.
Director Wes Ball delivers a complete film
'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' is a complete cinematic experience that has everything a viewer expects from a film. It has a great storyline and good performances to go with the visual and technical expertise on display.
The film is arguably the best in the franchise for its character-building, with Noa emerging as a protagonist audiences can wholeheartedly support in future installments.
Director Wes Ball deserves all the accolades he gets for this one and the way he has handled the iconic franchise, seamlessly weaving his thematic narrative throughout the film.
'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' trailer
'Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes' releases on Friday, May 10, 2024.