Matt Reeves to direct "War for the Planet of the Apes" - Part 1

[Brother Jack]

Just watched it and it was so good! They didn't really seem to hint at anything to further the franchise so I am going to guess that this is the end for now.

Spoiler

They do with the Nova character. The implication is that the disease that makes humans mute will carry on through her and the rest of the surviving human population, eventually making is so that the apes are the dominant species and the humans become subservient to them, as in the original film.

 

[Jekecy]

I wonder why they decided to change Cornelius' name? Weren't they referring to him as Milo in the Dawn DVD/interviews/etc? That's the 2nd time they changed Caesar's son's names. Blue Eyes was originally River.

I think you're conflating apes. Blue Eyes is still around, Cornelius is the younger brother who was born sometime before the start of this latest film. Caesar now has two sons.

 

[weezerspider]

I was very hyped for this film and it's a better than average blockbuster, but I was quite disappointed. I found it to be a bit underwhelming at times and the plot hit all the familiar beats. There are a few incredible sequences though(including the opening) and the score is amazing.

 

[StormC]

I think you're conflating apes. Blue Eyes is still around, Cornelius is the younger brother who was born sometime before the start of this latest film. Caesar now has two sons.

The younger brother was born during the first act of Dawn.

 

[Elayis]

Saw the movie last night. It was pretty good, better than Rise, but it didn't top Dawn for me. Caesar's role was pretty one note, and I was definitely missing Jason Clarke's character and what his group of humans brought to the previous movie. There was no heartbreak or longing like the near miss of human/ape peace. I think it hurt the film that there were no humans for the audience to root or care for (besides Nova).

As others have said, the CGI was astounding. In particular, there was a shot of Lake that looked like a real ape. Weta outdid themselves this time, which is amazing given the fact that six years ago the technology wasn't really there yet. And the score was quite good, too. Didn't feel like Giacchino's other recent work, which has been noticeably sub-par for awhile.

All that said, it goes without saying that it's better than most blockbusters. Still feels weird to me that these fairly low-key character films were made within the studio system.

Solid 8/10.

 

[Jekecy]

I was very hyped for this film and it's a better than average blockbuster, but I was quite disappointed. I found it to be a bit underwhelming at times and the plot hit all the familiar beats. There are a few incredible sequences though(including the opening) and the score is amazing.

I'd agree here, though I have to concede in this particular genre I don't know if there's much maneuvering in plotting. I can't really think of a film which hit the narrative outside its expected throughlines.

The younger brother was born during the first act of Dawn.

Damn, memory must have been wiped. Presumably it's still the same child, then? Or was it actually named something else?

 

[StormC]

I don't think the younger brother is ever named in Dawn.

 

[Zantera]

Saw the movie yesterday and thought it was great, but it fell short in reaching the same level of Dawn for me. Here's a few thoughts (in spoiler):

Spoiler

What Dawn did much better for me was showing that both sides had good characters and bad characters. I get that this takes place further into the future and the war between the factions had caused more tensions, but was surprised to see that the humans didn't have a single redeeming character. (Not counting the young girl because she was really too young to make any big decisions)

Early on, Caesar lets some humans live and you think that Preacher-guy would have an arc where he has a tough decision in the end and he decides to show mercy, because that's what he was shown. Instead he just shoots Caesar.

I liked that Woody Harrelson was basically beyond saving and was just an overall evil character, but would have liked it more if at least one or two of his troops showed conflict.

That's pretty much the extent of my problems though. Overall I really liked the film.

 

[Gabe99]

@RealGDT

Go to Planet of the Apes to watch The Shape of Water trailer- attached to 1/3 of the prints!

'Planet of the Apes' Is the Rare Trilogy That's Great
Few franchises are patient enough to craft the buildup to something like 'War.'

‘War For The Planet Of The Apes’ Review:
All Hail Caesar In Summer’s Crown Jewel Blockbuster

‘War for the Planet of the Apes’:
Where Does the Series Go from Here?

 

[BatLobster]

I was very hyped for this film and it's a better than average blockbuster, but I was quite disappointed. I found it to be a bit underwhelming at times and the plot hit all the familiar beats. There are a few incredible sequences though(including the opening) and the score is amazing.

That is kind of the vibe I've been getting from the reactions I'm seeing here. Just the hunch I was starting to get, but you're the first to put it in those terms. I still definitely plan on seeing it and I'm sure it's a very well-crafted film, but that bums me out a bit. With all the initial hype, I was hoping for a bit more out of the story.

 

[Filmfan93]

Watched it yesterday.

Brilliant film. Bleak, heavy, masterfully directed and beautifully shot.

Probably the best from the trilogy.

9.5/10

 

[terry78]

I can definitely see what Reeves will do on Batman now in regards to how Caesar was portrayed here.

 

[DarthSkywalker]

I can definitely see what Reeves will do on Batman now in regards to how Caesar was portrayed here.

An actual hero would be nice.

 

[Boom]

Loved the movie, but I think I preferred Dawn.

 

[Broseph44]

I think Dawn and War are equal for me.

 

[FunkMiller]

I can definitely see what Reeves will do on Batman now in regards to how Caesar was portrayed here.

Reeves is very good at defining a character's motivations, and the reasons for them. If nothing else, we shouldn't get a repeat of Snyder's muddled and unclear characterisation in the solo movie. Also, if the guy can produce that much emotional investment in a non existent chimp, then he should be able to grasp Batman's emotional complexity with no problem.

 

[terry78]

Caesar was basically Batmonkey in a few scenes, haha.

 

[Flint Marko]

I was a little disappointed. It was definitely a good movie but I didn't enjoy it as much as the previous two, Dawn especially.

 

[kguillou]

Haven't seen this yet (my friends unfortunately aren;t interested and no one wants to see this with me ) so I may just go by myself this week. Reading your guys' reactions, you guys don't seem quite as unanimous as the critics on this, I've seen a few of you say you were disappointed. What would you say was disappointing?

 

[Broseph44]

Haven't seen this yet (my friends unfortunately aren;t interested and no one wants to see this with me ) so I may just go by myself this week. Reading your guys' reactions, you guys don't seem quite as unanimous as the critics on this, I've seen a few of you say you were disappointed. What would you say was disappointing?

I'm unanimous with the critics, I wasn't disappointed Just saying

 

[weezerspider]

That is kind of the vibe I've been getting from the reactions I'm seeing here. Just the hunch I was starting to get, but you're the first to put it in those terms. I still definitely plan on seeing it and I'm sure it's a very well-crafted film, but that bums me out a bit. With all the initial hype, I was hoping for a bit more out of the story.

If you're a fan of the series, it's definitely worth seeing on the big screen, even just for the opening, but lower expectations will probably help you enjoy it more. Like I said, it's still better than the average blockbuster, but I was hoping for something really special. I can't see myself revisiting this film much at all.

 

[JeetKuneDo]

Haven't seen this yet (my friends unfortunately aren;t interested and no one wants to see this with me ) so I may just go by myself this week. Reading your guys' reactions, you guys don't seem quite as unanimous as the critics on this, I've seen a few of you say you were disappointed. What would you say was disappointing?

It may not be something you want to see more than once. It's bleak. Doesn't mean it's not a great movie, but it does move at its own pace without being in a hurry.

 

[terry78]

When they said it was a slow burn, they ain't never lied.

 

[Broseph44]

I dug the slow burn approach, I love spending time with these characters.

 

[Drizzle]

I thought it was almost as good as Dawn. I thought War had a better story but Dawn was better paced and had a better villain in Koba. Regardless, this was an insanely impressive trilogy and that's really because of Andy Serkis. There are very few trilogies where each film receives top marks but I think this can join the best of them right alongside the Lord of the Rings and Toy Story trilogies.