“Ape Together Strong”, a famous phrase in the world of apes whose importance is often referenced in this franchise, but never as well and impactful as how Kingdom of The Planet of The Apes delivers it. The latest entry in this beloved franchise is the fourth entry in the reboot franchise and the tenth overall. It was on the higher end of most people’s most anticipated list for this year including mine. The franchise started with a bang with Rise of The Planet of The Apes back in 2011 and has never looked back since.
This latest entry is helmed by Wes Ball with a cast that includes Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand and Peter Macon. It is set about 300 years after the events of Ceaser’s death, starts a new saga with new characters, and acts as a standalone sequel to the reboot trilogy. The official synopsis reads, “As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.”
Owen Teague plays our protagonist Noa, a young ape who does not know anything about Caesar or his legacy. He is innocent, slightly immature, and often makes rash decisions trying to please his father who is known as the Master of Birds. He is an expert climber but needs his two best friends Anaya and Soona to have his back at times. Almost the entire narrative is through the eyes of Noa. It is slightly bumpy at the beginning, but once it finds its feet it quickly flourishes into a gripping drama.
One of the best things about this franchise is that it never aims to be an over-the-top commercial blockbuster overloaded with action. It has rather found its calling in being a more serious and grounded adventure drama that engages with engaging storytelling and compelling characters. Kingdom follows suit and maintains the same tone and feel. But at times it slows down too much and as a result, it feels a little too long by the end. It clocks at 145 minutes which is a franchise record.
The other great thing about this franchise is its CGI and visuals. To Kingdom’s credit, this is probably the best-looking Planet of the Apes movie ever. The visuals are striking and some of the shots will blow you away with the scenic beauty. Gyula Pados gives his career-best work here. It is shocking how this franchise has never won the Academy Award for Best VFX, this could be their year. A nomination is guaranteed in my opinion, that’s how impressive the CGI is here. There’s hardly a scene where I could notice that these weren’t actual apes. John Paesano also gives a scorching score that fits the storytelling perfectly.
The cast is also pretty solid. Teague’s portrayal of Noa is note-worthy, especially in the voicing department. Peter Macon’s raka is the heart of the film and he’s the one that brings all the much-needed comedic beats. He is also the one who carries most of the burden of honoring Caesar’s legacy and his arc is integral to Noa’s arc and growth as a character. Kevin Durand is also a lot of fun, his character is a little thin, but Durand’s voicework lifts him on multiple levels and makes him a worthy antagonist. Freya Allan’s character is also well-designed and her journey raises a lot of moral questions that our characters must answer. Her accent is a little sloppy, but otherwise, she’s good. No intention of offending this cast which is mostly enjoyed, But I have to say that this movie could’ve used a lot more star power.
Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes is an Ape-solute treat for the fans of the franchise. It further solidifies Planet Of The Apes as one of the most consistent franchises in Hollywood. The film is another strong entry that lays the groundwork for an epic saga with an emotionally gripping chapter. It pays homage to Caesar’s legacy while getting you invested in our new characters with a deep and absorbing journey. Wes Ball knocks it out of the park with the visuals and world-building. A little too long, but a really good cinematic experience overall.
Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes releases in theaters on May 10.
