The 2011 film ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ is a prequel to the iconic ‘Planet of the Apes’ franchise, and it stands on its own as an excellent film that delves into the origins of the ape-dominated world.
The film follows Dr. Will Rodman (James Franco), who creates a medicine that enhances apes’ intelligence but has deadly consequences for humans. We learn that Dr. Rodman created this medicine to help his ailing father (John Lithgow) and see how Caesar, the first ape born with the medicine’s effects, became so comfortable with humans and how that changed. The film also explores the theme of human greed and its role in the downfall of humanity.
One of the many reasons this film is so incredible is how much it packs into its modest 105-minute run time. The narrative is fast-paced and engaging, with dynamic camera work and editing that keep the film propulsive and impactful. And, of course, Andy Serkis’ performance capture work as Caesar is nothing short of remarkable.
By the time Caesar takes full control of the character about a third of the way into the movie, anytime there’s a human on screen, you want it to end just so you can spend more time with Caesar. But that doesn’t take away from how character and plot work hand in hand. We get so wrapped up in Rodman’s care of his father, his adoration for Caesar, and then Caesar’s incarceration and rebellion, we almost forget the inevitability of what’s to come.
Eventually, somehow, the world has to be taken over by apes. And so director Rupert Wyatt delicately peppers that in over the course of the second act, culminating in the action-packed, sprawling yet sad third act where it all comes to a head.
Plus, even with so much happening in the movie, its totality barely scratches the surface of ‘Planet of the Apes’ as a concept. By the time Caesar and his apes have escaped into the woods, they do so without the knowledge that a killer virus is slowly spreading across the world. In fact, many movie fans may not even realize that’s happening either because it’s relegated to a mid-credit scene and graphics viewed during the credits. This is an odd choice, as it could be seen as either a complete afterthought or a pointed commentary on the importance of humans in this story.
It also gives the audience just enough breadcrumbs that, if this was the only film that got made, you can roughly piece together how this winds up with Charlton Heston on a beach with the Statue of Liberty. Which, in the end, is another triumph of ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes.’ It tells a complete, emotional, exciting story with a definitive ending.
Even though there were centuries of stories left untold, there was no true need to continue. This could have been it. Luckily though, it wasn’t, and we got to see more of that story unfold in subsequent sequels.
