Carl Roberts 
Director Wes Ball brings us the next chapter of the franchise with Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes. But are Apes Together Still Strong?
After the tearful, emotional ending to War For The Planet Of The Apes, we all thought it was over. While the film closed the book on the Caesar trilogy, it did the door open for more movies in the franchise to be made. When 20th Century Studios and The Walt Disney Company announced the desire to continue with the franchise, we all wondered what the next chapter would be. Would it concentrate on Caeser’s son Cornelius? Would we see the continuation of Caeser’s ambition for Apes to live free and enjoy their discovered paradise? Or would we get something totally different, going off in a new direction towards the original movies?
Director Wes Ball was given the daunting task of continuing the franchise. He needed to overcome the obstacle of the last three movies being so good and memorable. And he needed to bring us a story that didn’t include Caeser. How would he approach the movie and continue the legacy that he was joining? The result is Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes. With no Andy Serkis this time (although he does act as the special consultant on the film), the lead is taken by Owen Teague as Noa. With a cast that also features Freya Allan, Kevin Durand and William H. Macy, the stage is set for the franchise and saga to continue. But is it a case of Apes Together Still Strong or more of a case of too much monkey business for our liking?
PREMISE
The film takes place 300 years after the events of War and follows a young chimpanzee named Noa, who embarks on a journey alongside a human woman named Mae to determine the future for apes and humans alike.
THOUGHTS
Fans of the franchise need not worry. The film fits in perfectly with what’s gone before it and continues the saga in a superb way. The acting, both from the humans and the actors performing as the apes is sublime. You can see Andy Serkis’ hand (paw?) prints all over the actors playing the simian characters, bringing us a seamless continuation. While it does play a little too safe and not pushing things too far, the film is an enjoyable, worthy addition to the saga. The practical effects, CGI effects, and fun level make it a joy to watch. And the film contains enough heart to keep the franchise looking and feeling fresh and healthy.
The film does a marvellous job of conjuring the atmosphere of the original movies, both the 1960s/1970s movies as well as the more recent versions. It also manages to do this while forging its own path, its own way forward, giving the audience its own evolution. Building on what Rise, Dawn, and War crafted before it, the film fleshes out this new world with colour, scope and ambition. And during the journey, we see more evidence of which direction the franchise is going. No Taylor yet but he’s getting pretty damn close to arriving.
OWEN TEAGUE
Owen Teague as Noa has the daunting task of banishing any thought of Caesar going forward. And makes a pretty damned good job of it, Teague gives the character the same youthful, innocent demeanour that we saw back in Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes with Caesar. But we know before the end credits, Noa will find his inner strength and begin his journey to becoming a leader. Owen Teague throws himself into the character, giving him a likability from the start. Every movement and every reaction the character gives is superb, showing Teague is committed to his role despite being hidden behind the ever-brilliant CGI effects. This is the first step on his journey in the Apes world, and Teague delivers an accomplished, rounded, highly enjoyable performance.
FREYA ALLAN
Freya Allan as Mae / Nova is given the task of being the main human of this new trilogy going forward. And by doing so, she shows she is completely up to the task. Freya Allan is a brilliant young actress in her own right and she shows her talent here again. Mae (you’ll find out why she is named Nova in a humorous comment during the film) is someone with her own agenda. She is, at first, someone who is under threat, hungry, cold and tired. Noa has little or no time or affection for her to begin with. But as events begin to turn, they find a common bond between them. And this leads to both Freya Allan and Owen Teague becoming a pairing that we can’t wait to see more of. But is Mae as innocent as she seems?
KEVIN DURAND
Kevin Durand as Proximus Caesar gives us an unbelievable performance. And herein lies a problem with the film. Proximus doesn’t come into the film until over halfway through. And as he is supposed to be the big bad, he doesn’t get enough screentime for us to truly despise him. We don’t get enough time with him to look into his psyche, and his motivations, leaving us with a sadly underused and underdeveloped villain. But when he is on screen, Kevin Durand gives us an incredible performance as the ambitious bonobo monarch. The way he speaks Proximus’ dialogue, his mannerisms and his demeanour are superb when he is on screen. He could have, and still could be a villain that runs through the trilogy. His subversions of Caeser’s teachings make him unlikeable and evil. We can only hope that he will get more screen time should he return again.
PETER MACON
The highlight of the film, however, comes in the form of Peter Macon as Raka, a wise and virtuous orangutan. From the moment we first meet him, we are in good hands. As Caeser had Maurice as his sidekick and conscience, here Raka does the same for Noa. And in doing so brings the heart and humour to the film that we don’t expect. Raka is a follower of Caeser’s teachings, things that this new generation of apes either don’t know about or reject. Raka becomes somewhat of a teacher to Noa, speaking of the past, and giving him advice and life lessons. And he also has a soft spot for humans. His scenes with Mae, his friendliness and compassion towards her bring a lot of heart and emotion to the film. Peter Macon pulls off his role to sheer perfection.
THE DIRECTION
The direction from Wes Ball is inspired. He has taken the world which Matt Reeves created and has built upon it. It is an almost seamless transition from one director to the next. Ball grabs the world that has been laid before him and not only embraces it but he creates his own part of it that will thrill audiences. The film is shot beautifully, and the colours the film contains shine through magnificently. There isn’t a single wasted shot throughout the film. Ball shoots the two worlds, Noa’s and Proximus’s and everything in between brilliantly. Noa’s homeland is lush and green, Proximus’s is industrial and by the sea. Wes Ball handles the contrasts and his actors superbly, giving the film a polished look and great performances to boot. Wes Ball has given the story of Caesar closure here while opening a new chapter for us to get involved with.
THE SCRIPT
The writing by Josh Friedman is wonderful. Despite the film lagging at points during the middle half, Friedman’s script contains more than enough to keep us entertained. Taking the characters by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, and the premise from Planet of the Apes by Pierre Boulle, Friedman has tapped into the world to great effect. He has taken what has gone before and updated it while also paying tribute to the past. The opening scene of the film brings a great deal of emotion. It closes one door while paying tribute before opening a new one.
Friedman also knows his Apes history too. Some of what we see and hear during the film will invoke memories of the classic movies while forging its own path towards the future. Fans of the franchise will notice and pick up on them instantly. Josh Friedman has delivered a script and a story that makes us look back as well as forwards, giving the film a hugely enjoyable storyline that plays out well.
THE SCORE
The score of the film is by John Paesano. And he does a fantastic job with it. Taking some of the cues from Michael Giacchino’s scores in the last two films, he has created a score that pays tribute to his work while forging his own path. His score doesn’t rip off Giacchino’s music but Paesano has created a score that accompanies and honours Giacchino’s while delivering a classic score of his own. But one piece of music isn’t by Paesano at all. He has taken and used cues from Jerry Goldsmith’s classic score and used and updated it for one sequence. It fits the scene and the film brilliantly. It sends shivers down our spines as we know what it represents and what is to come. John Paesano has created something worthy of the franchise and for the film itself.
VERDICT
Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes is a triumph. It slots into the saga and franchise in general with ease. The film does everything it needs to and more. It thrills the audience while giving them something to think about. Fans will recognize certain references and some little sounds along the way. And they will be thrilled with one sequence that gives them a thrilling throwback to the original movie. It is exciting, thrilling and also takes the film another step on the road towards Taylor and the original movie. For the rest of the audience, they can look forward to a thrill ride that they will love from start to finish. While some knowledge of the history of the saga and franchise will help, it isn’t needed to enjoy what’s on offer here.
By the climax, the audience will be cheering. But also, they will have differing feelings about how the film ends. The ending leaves the door wide open for the sequel, giving us a plot thread that will play out over the next two movies. We are on the road towards what we know. But it’s these kinds of films that expand the world we know, giving us some excellent entertainment. While it isn’t perfect, the film is a brilliant continuation of the franchise while forging its own path. Believe me, apes together are still strong. What a wonderful day!
Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes is out in cinemas now. Distributed by 20th Century Studios.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
