My review of Rise of the Planet of the Apes

I'll start by saying that, if you haven't seen this movie yet, get to the theater!

I'm not a big fan of the original series of movies, although I do love Charlton Heston.  When Planet of the Apes premiered in 1968, hunky Mr. Heston had crash landed on earth after a daring exploratory space mission. 

The world he returned to was not the world he left.  The landscape had become wild and untamed, humans resemble animals in their behavior by running in packs, and primates were more human than their counterparts.   Apes walked upright, dressed as humans once had, were educated, and carried on conversations that stunned Capt. Taylor (Heston).  Man became the pet, the bright eyes that were cooed over and spoiled for pleasure, their leashes constantly apparent about their necks. Who can ever forget the last scene in the film, where the Statue of Liberty is half-submerged in the ocean, a broken image of man's once powerful world?

All the while, even to my young mind, I had a lot of questions. Why was Heston in outer space, how had primates become so advanced, and what the hell had happened to humanity? 

Rise of the Planet of the Apes answered those questions that lingered from the first film. 

Reluctantly, I allowed the DH and boys to drag me to the theater.  I stood in line for more than an hour, wondering if I really wanted to see another remake of ape vs. man.

I'm glad I did.

First of all, I applaud John Lithgow who plays Alzheimer striken  Charles Rodman.  The lost expression in his eyes, and memory lapses, brought back the memories of the painful disease that has struck my own family.  His son Will (James Franco) has a difficult time watching his once brilliant father decline, and he's desperate to find a cure.

Unfortunately, Will works for one of those companies that does medical testing on primates.  Trying to find a cure for Alzheimer's and injecting monkeys with a serum to improve their memory is dangerous.

How can anyone test a brain enhancer on a creature, then expect to still treat it as if it were nothing more than an animal?

Caesar, the creator, the supreme primate in the old films, is introduced.  His story is wonderfully revealed, and explains why he is revered in the future.  Even though he's CGI, I had to admit his character was fascinating.  The viewer will find themselves being pulled into his eyes, feeling his pain and confusion.  These feelings are intensified, especially when he goes from a pampered quasi-human to being caged, chained, and brutalized. 

The CGI is amazing and the tale will hold you spellbound!

There isn't a boring moment in this film and, if anyone is going to get an Oscar for best actor, it has to go to Caesar!

5 Popcorn munching Stars!

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