Rise of the Planet of the Apes Review
James Franco plays Will, an ambitious scientist, who takes care of his beloved father who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Will’s goal is to find a cure for this awful disease, no matter what it takes! After several years of studies and trials on a chimpanzee, and seeing much improvement, Will is ready to get approval to start human trials. However, it’s not that easy. Will gradually develops a special bond with a chimpanzee named Caesar, and he eventually realizes that this could be a dangerous relationship, knowing that a man vs. ape war is on the rise. This sci/fi action packed drama is a prequel to Charlton Heston’s 1968 movie Planet of the Apes.
Rating: Three out of five buckets
Release Date: August 5, 2011
MPAA Rating: PG13
Best Age Group: 10+
Sexual Content: Mild
Violent Content: Moderate
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
Drugs and Alcohol Content: Mild
Talking Points:
I really liked the characters in this film. Will (James Franco) was such a kind- hearted person who was truly passionate about finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. Some other great characters: Will’s beautiful, supportive girlfriend, Caroline (Freida Pinto) and Will’s father (John Lithgow).
I loved the relationship that Caesar (the chimpanzee) had with Will, and Will’s father. When Will’s father was being threatened by a neighbor, Caesar was there to protect and comfort him.
In another scene, the chimp asked (in sign language) Will if he was a pet, Will responded, “No, I’m your father.” It was a touching scene.
This film was portrayed in trailers as a scary, war movie. Don’t get me wrong, there were a lot of battle scenes, but there was also an emotional element to the film which I don’t think people will see from the trailer.
The special effects were amazing. Caesar looked like a real chimpanzee, which added a lot to the storyline; making it more realistic.
Sexual Content: Mild
- Two characters kiss.
Violent Content: Moderate
- There are several fights when Caesar (the chimp) was protecting Will and his father.
- When Caesar was in a shelter with other chimps, the attendant was brutal and cruel to the apes. He hit Caesar with an electric rod, and slammed him against a wall in his cage, while spraying him with a high pressure water hose.
- When the apes convene and escape from their cages, complete mayhem begins. The apes smash through windows, turn cars and buses over, and hit humans while hissing and snarling in a frightening way.
- The humans were also cruel while trying to kill the apes.
Crude or Profane Language: Mild
- The d-word, h-word and a-word are used.
Drug and Alcohol Content: Mild
- Alzheimer Drugs are injected in the apes and humans.
- Characters drink beer.
Overall, this is an action packed movie with an emotional element to it. This is not my type of movie, but I can understand why some people would like it. I interviewed boys ages 11 to 15 after the movie; they loved it. Their grandpa thought it was appropriate for kids, and he thoroughly enjoyed it too. Kids that are sensitive to scary movies may be frightened with some of the violent battle scenes with the humans and apes.
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