I’m not a big fan of the Apes movies and went into this one with very low expectations. Much to my surprise, I thought it was an excellent film.
The synopsis is a bit misleading – this really isn’t about the apes taking over. This is Caesar’s story – his near human intelligence and relationships with those around him - and it sets the stage for future films. I doubted the plausibility of the plot, but it really works. There are a few things that make you wonder, but not enough to stop the forward progress of the plot.
The film boasts many actors, including Tom Felton (Draco from Harry Potter) as an abusive jerk, but it’s Andy Serkis who dominates. He really deserves an Oscar nomination for his role as Caesar. Serkis conveys so much through his movement, expressions, and eyes – it’s just incredible to watch. And no green screens were used – Serkis was really in the scene, wearing his computer suit and acting opposite the other characters. (Watch out ILM – WETA has you beat for special effects now!)
While the pacing is slow and steady, saving the big action scene for the end, be prepared – it’s a dark journey. Caesar suffers both physical and emotional abuse. James Franco’s father, John Lithgow, suffers from Alzheimer and Dementia. This film does deal with some pain. It’s an excellent movie though.
Oh, and when the credits start to roll, wait fifteen seconds for the final scene. Trust me – you don’t want to miss it!
Green Hornet
Finally caught this on NetFlix and I can see why critics didn’t like it. This is one quirky film. Some people don’t like Seth Rogen. (I’m not a fan.) It’s also the smallest-scale superhero film you’ll ever see. I expected it to suck, but you know what – it was really damn funny! The two leads are hilarious. Not a great film, but it was worth the price of a rental.
Ready for the Quiz answers???
What was the band Blue Oyster Cult’s original name back in the sixties?
Soft White Underbelly
Which movie franchise boasts the most film titles?
This will surprise you – Godzilla! Twenty nine movies, with a reboot in the making. And BOC did a song called Godzilla - how cool is that?
When did the first VCR appear on the market?
1972 – and I did a post about the history of VCRs and DVD players HERE
How many movies have made over a billion dollars? And can you name them without cheating?
Ten! And only two not in 3D.
1. Avatar (2009) $2,781,505,847
2. Titanic (1997) $1,835,300,000
3. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) $1,119,102,868
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest (2006) $1,065,896,541
5. Toy Story 3 (2010) $1,062,984,497
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011) $1,033,201,000
7. Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides (2011) $1,023,833,768
8. Alice in Wonderland (2010) $1,023,285,206
9. Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011) $1,007,133,000
10. The Dark Knight (2008) $1,001,921,825
How did you do on those? See Planet of the Apes? Find Boba Fett’s Carbonite Crunch anywhere?
