Many years after the reign of Caesar, a young ape goes on a journey that will lead him to question everything he’s been taught about the past and make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
In an age of tried franchises, Planet of the Apes managed to reinvent itself in the 2010s as one of the most underrated trilogies in recent memory with Rise, Dawn, and War of the Planet of the Apes. Now that Caesar’s trilogy has ended and the apes now rule the world, the Planet of the Apes franchise is taking a step in a new direction, under the guidance of Wes Ball. Even though, you can feel the void left by Andy Serkis and Matt Reeves, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes manages to speak on its own terms.
Director Wes Ball and writer Josh Friedman build upon the groundwork that Caesar Trilogy built as it expands the world of the apes. This sequel knows that Earth belongs to the apes as its own set of rules and ethics as human civilization rots away. Through this framework, Ball and Friedman cleverly craft a science fiction adventure that is visually sprawling and epic in scope but grounded with its simple story layered with social and political themes.
The tale of Kingdom is set many generations after the events of War, where we follow a young chimpanzee named, Noa (Owen Teague), trying to get his clan back from the self-proclaimed emperor Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), who has twisted the words of Caesar for his purposes. Along the way, Noa meets many characters including Raka (Peter Macon) a philosophical orangutan who teaches the original words of Caesar, and Mae (Freya Allan) a human who is hiding mysterious secrets. This trio explores this new world both physically and philosophically as cultural and political ideals clash. This framing is a perfect way to portray the themes of the Planet of the Apes Franchise. From the theory of evolution to the philosophical idea of what makes a good leader, Kingdom masterfully explores these themes and many more in its story.
As with all of the films in this reinvented franchise, the visuals are breathtaking. The visual effects are outstanding as the lines between what is real and what is made by a computer begin to blur. The rendering of the apes is beautiful as their faces are lively and filled with emotional intrigue. This intrigue is perfectly portrayed by the ensemble of this film, especially from Owen Teague, Kevin Durand, and Peter Macon. These apes are set in the stunning backdrop of human civilization withering away through impressive and immersive camerawork from cinematographer Gyula Pados. Then when these impressive visuals are paired with a score that is in line with the original 1968 film, it creates an immersive experience like no other. Even though, it is a shame that Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will most likely lose the Oscar to Dune Part Two for Best Visual Effects, the franchise has been overdue for that kind of honor.
Overall, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is an excellent continuation of a franchise that both honors its predecessors, while also speaking on its town terms. I can’t wait to see where director Wes Ball takes this franchise next as it is clear a new war between humanity and the apes is beginning to brew.
My Rating: B+
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