Dawn of the Planet of the Apes [Blu-ray]

THE FILM: Not having seen any of the original 'Apes' films (even the Tim Burton remake), I really liked RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES because of its emotionally resonant story and awesome special effects. DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES continues in the same vein, while covering different thematic territory. No new ground is broken, per se, but the manner in which it is presented and the talent involved lend it some freshness which would otherwise have been missing from what is already a really good film. DAWN takes place about 10 years after the events of RISE, when the Simian flu has killed off a large portion of the human population. The apes have migrated to the forests and started their own primitive civilization, while the humans hang on to what little they have left in the ruins of the city. With fuel about to run out, they seek to gain access to a power-generating dam, but that dam is located right in the middle of ape territory. Soon, mistrust on both sides leads to a conflict that has far-reaching consequences. One thing I noticed continually while watching this was how far special effects have come. It was only 15 years ago (or so) that we were still using people in ape suits to portray apes, but now since RISE, they are done in motion capture. They already looked really good and photorealistic in RISE, but here in DAWN they look even better. I think that Andy Serkis did some of his best work ever here, and also the actor who played Koba, Caesar's right hand "man" (and later, nemesis). The digital augmentation of the sets and locations was also seamless and created a world you could really believe in. Anyway, moving on to more important aspects. The human cast was all portrayed very well, the standout being Jason Clarke as Malcolm. His character is kind of a human counterpart to Caesar, in that he only wants what is best for his family, and that he is more pragmatic when it comes to certain situations. There's also Gary Oldman as Dreyfus, someone who leans more towards the confrontational side, like Koba. Even though I think his character wasn't given enough development, there was one scene which really sold you on his plight and gave the audience a potent emotional connection to him. Across the board, all of the performances were excellent. Thematically, the film deals with conflict and how we handle it, how it starts, how trust is broken. It's a very basic story, but one that should resonate with viewers of all ages. Also, with the ape culture, there's kind of Animal Farm thing going on where you have two leaders vying for the trust and respect of the people. This is replicated to a degree with the human cast, but the bulk of the movies' themes are handled when the apes are onscreen. This leads me to the only thing I can really pick on with the film: that is, while the themes are certainly important, they are handled in an overly broad and unsubtle way. The apes basically act as mouthpieces for the core ideas of the film, and at times you might be tempted to roll your eyes, but then you'll just move on because you're that absorbed in the world being created and emotionally involved with the characters. Overall, I think this represents a significant step up from the previous one, which was already very good to begin with. It's one of the best films to come out in Summer 2014, and I highly recommend that you see it.THE EXTRAS: There's quite a few supplements to dig your teeth into. The first of these are three deleted/extended scenes with optional director's commentary. Only one of them really added anything to the story, but they were all interesting to watch. Then, there are a series of featurettes which cover every aspect of production, from development, the cast's experience and the groundbreaking special effects. What amazed me the most was just how much of the film was shot on location (about 80%), and the overall effort that went into creating a believable experience. There is also a photo gallery and a feature-length audio commentary by the director, Matt Reeves. Altogether, I thought that all of these extras were an interesting additional perspective on the making of the film, and its themes.OVERALL: Although highly entertaining for all of the spectacular effects and the crazy action that takes place towards the end, it becomes more than a popcorn blockbuster by exploring some very human themes. To sweeten the deal, there are a number of enlightening extras that enhance the experience considerably. This Blu-ray package is a must-buy for fans of the series, and sci-fi fans in general.

Great movie

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It is a great movie with an engaging story and beautiful special effects. It gives more realism to the apes and the classic sci-fi story of the planet of the Apes. I strongly recommend watching the "Rise of the planet of the Apes" movie which is the first of the series. Nonetheless, the story of this movie is developed in such a way that you are able to understand it without having to see the first one, but you'd have a greater appreciation for the storyline if you see the initial events that brought the story to the current situation.Spoiler alert from here on: Caesar, an ape raised by a scientist and born from an ape that used to be subject to cognitive experiments for drugs to enhance brain function becomes the leader of the apes that have been exposed to the same drug (let's call it neuro enhancer). The neurologic enhancements are transferred to their descendants and the new born apes are intelligent, evolved and able to communicate. But one of the old apes that have been subject to torturous experiments in the laboratory wants revenge by subduing the human race instead of coexisting with them. This unchains a serious of events that leads to the war between the remaining humans and the intelligent apes.At this point of the story, humans were mostly exterminated by a virus developed in the same laboratory that created the neurological enhancing medication, but the apes were immune to the virus and the medication designed to enhance human neurological capabilities backfired by becoming a lethal, self evolving, virus in the human body.

"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" (2014) is a powerful sequel in the Planet of the Apes reboot series, and it elevates the franchise with its blend of thought-provoking themes, stunning visuals, and deep emotional resonance. Matt Reeves directs the film, which takes place ten years after the Simian Flu wiped out much of humanity. The surviving human population struggles to rebuild civilization. At the same time, the apes, led by the intelligent and compassionate Caesar (played masterfully by Andy Serkis), have formed their peaceful society in the forests.The film's central conflict arises when humans and apes come into contact again as both sides try to navigate a fragile truce while dealing with internal divisions. The humans, desperate for power to restore their city, seek access to a nearby dam, while the apes, particularly Koba, an embittered and vengeful ape tortured by humans, harbor distrust and fear. This tension leads to an inevitable, tragic conflict.Pros:Visual Effects: The motion-capture performances, particularly Andy Serkis as Caesar, are groundbreaking. The apes are brought to life with incredible realism and emotional depth.Performances: Serkis' portrayal of Caesar is the film's emotional core, balancing vulnerability and strength. The human performances, including Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman, provide a grounded contrast to the evolving apes.Cons:Villain: Koba, while a compelling character, fits into a more predictable "villainous" role than Caesar's complex nature.Overall, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a gripping, visually stunning, and emotionally engaging film that expands on the themes of its predecessor while setting up the saga for even larger questions about civilization and survival.

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