Review: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

Review: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Director: Matt Reeves

Principal Cast Members: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman

After Tim Burtons remake of Planet of the Apes many thought that the franchise was well and truly dead but thanks to Rupert Wyatts clever 2011 prequel the franchise may just be about to become one of the most pioneering of the decade. The plot of the sequel picks up 10 years after the first film left off with most of the human race having been wiped out and Caesar having established a colony of apes in the hills near San Francisco. While it's a little disappointing to not see James Franco return the move allows Caesar to take the spotlight and show just how incredible Motion Capture technology has become, even providing a massive improvement in the three years since the first film was released. Perhaps most key to this is that this time it is not only Serkis who takes on a motion capture role, as Dawn sees Toby Kebbell and Judy Greer take on major ape roles. While it's the apes that dominate the film Jason Clarke finally makes the step up to lead human role and does so well and even with little to do Gary Oldman is a brilliant as ever and almost steals the film with one brief scene. Unfortunately other then the CGI work and acting the film has very little to offer, while the plot is an interesting one it often feels overstretched in order to showcase the Motion Capture. Of course while watching the film this really doesn't matter and you are taken in by the breathtaking work done in creating the apes. Despite it's flaws the film will still go down as groundbreaking, not bad for what was once seen as one of the biggest B Movie franchises.