DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES is an amazing, intense, heartfelt, action packed movie thats a landmark in motion capture acting. Director Matt Reeves makes the brave decision to keep most of the films focus on the apes. Not only does it take some guts to showcase non-human characters that speak mainly in sign language, but on a technological aspect, its incredibly ambitious...and boy does it pay off!!! The cgi is beautiful in that you completely forget that it even is cgi, but most of that is due to the marvelous performances of the actors behind the apes. After being criminally passed over for an Oscar nod for Gollum, the academy has to recognize his work as Caesar. Perhaps even more so deserving of praise is Toby Kebbell as Koba, the tragic & horrifying main antagonist of the film. Their performers are nothing short of mind-blowing. The plot is fantastic, though not entirely unique, but the direction & actors are what sets this film apart. Director Matt Reeves brings what couldve been cool, but run-of-the-mill action pieces down to a personal & emotional level, that makes you truly care about all involved. The only MINOR complaint one MAY have about the movie is that constant, mirrored comparisons between Ape & Man are some times too heavy handed & constantly way to on the nose...but thats only if one needed a complaint. I guess I couldve use more Gary Oldman, but I can ALWAYS use more Gary Oldman. Dawn is worth every single penny of the theater ticket & leaves anxious for the next chapter in the Planet of the Apes saga.
Posted on: Wed, 16 Jul 2014 05:23:42 +0000