Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes

Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes
Friday, August 05, 2011 15:30 IST
By Santa Banta News Network
Cast: James Franco, Andy Serkis and Freida Pinto

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: ****

Every revolution has three phases: rampant injustice, germination of revolt against it, and full-fledged revolution usually led by someone. "Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes" (ROTPOTA) chronicles these stages, reminding us to be grateful that animals perhaps cannot rise up against brutal humans who butcher them in the millions everyday even when they can eat other foods.

Caesar, a genetically modified ape who's been secretly raised by a scientist Will Rodman (James Franco), grows up with an intelligence exceeding human's. After being confined with other apes, like the Buddha he witnesses injustice for the first time. He unifies other apes, and rises up against the ruthless humans.

Hollywood has a history of action films full of computer generated imagery (CGI) but lacking basic imagination. ROTPOTA is surprisingly good in almost every department making it one of the most perfect commercial films ever.

Action films are not simply the display of violence. They are essentially about humanism and feelings whose subjugation finds expression in physical violence. Thus, the violence outside becomes a metaphor and a physical representation of the violence inside and is a statement against the rampant injustice that causes it in the first place.

External violence is thus shaped by internal conflict. Most filmmakers don't understand this and though one does not need to know this to like an action film, the disproportionate nature of internal vs external violence makes for a far less satisfying film.

Director Rupert Wyatt understands this perfectly and though he could have gone overboard, considering the potential the story presents, he exercises restraint making ROTPOTA that much more enduring.

Despite its predictable plot, there are so many parallels, allegories and metaphors in the film that it's a delight for discerning viewers. In Caesar we have the representation of a typical revolutionary and unlike many real revolutionaries he displays rare humanism and regard for life.

The true core of Caesar is love for his ape-kind and not the hatred of those who brutalise his kind. Thus, the fact that the ape Caesar is more human than most people is a satire on entire humankind.

When he refuses to kill even when he can, he rises higher in his morality than every single human in the world who eats animals that are as living and feeling as humans are.

Frieda Pinto tries hard to imitate the accent of a South American. Thankfully, she is meant only to be an eye-candy. James Franco, expectedly, is good but the winner is CGI.

All the apes in the film exist only on the computer. But to get right so many facial expressions makes all the difference in the film and brings the apes alive in the viewer's imagination. It is Caesar's expressions that give representation to the fact that his humanism exceeds his superior intelligence, again unlike most humans.

In terms of the Planet of The Apes franchisee, it is similar to the fourth film - "Conquest Of The Planet of the Apes". Those following the film closely will see a foreshadowing of the first Charlton Heston movie, which will perhaps follow ROTPOTA, either immediately or after a few films.

In essence though, this has the humanism of "The Elephant Man" and is the closest any film in the franchisee has come to the basic premise of the first film, revolution against injustice and the stupidity of humans.
I Want To Talk Movie Review - A Bittersweet Tale of Grief, Hope, and Resilience!

Shoojit Sircar's films often delve deep into themes of grief, death, and the enduring hope that arises from life's darkest moments. His latest film, I Want To Talk, follows in the footsteps of his previous works like Piku and October, exploring loneliness, the

Friday, November 22, 2024
'The Sabarmati Report' Review - A Riveting Tale of Media, Politics, and the Godhra Tragedy!

Vikrant Massey makes a striking return to the big screen with The Sabarmati Report, a gripping film that revisits one of the most debated events in India's recent history'the Godhra train

Saturday, November 16, 2024
Devara - Part 1 Makes Waves at the Box Office with Rs. 77 Crore Opening Day Collection!

Devara: Part 1 made a remarkable entrance at the box office on its opening day, grossing Rs 77 crore across all languages, as reported by industry tracker Sacnilk. The action drama, directed by

Saturday, September 28, 2024
Taaza Khabar Season 2 Review - A Missed Opportunity for Freshness!

The highly anticipated Taaza Khabar Season 2 featuring Bhuvan Bam returns with his character Vasant Gawde, diving into the world of fresh news updates. Alongside Bam, the show

Friday, September 27, 2024
Yudhra Review - A Bumpy Ride Through Action and Chaos!

Ehsaan Loy composing the music, all the elements seem to point to a cinematic success. However, in 2024, audiences have become harder to impress, and despite these heavyweights, Yudhra fails

Saturday, September 21, 2024
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT