Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation | Release Date: July 11, 2014
8.2
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Universal acclaim based on 1335 Ratings
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1,163
Mixed:
118
Negative:
54
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10
Richard654Aug 23, 2023
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10
oneofjwNov 24, 2022
Its one of the best movies ever made. The apes are terrifying and badass, and the humans are... well at least Gary Oldman was really good.
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9
waywardlaserJun 28, 2022
It’s definitely not perfect but god dammit I love every minute of this. Rise could have very well stood on its own as a fun prequel, but they managed to build upon that foundation and create one of the greatest blockbusters of the past tenIt’s definitely not perfect but god dammit I love every minute of this. Rise could have very well stood on its own as a fun prequel, but they managed to build upon that foundation and create one of the greatest blockbusters of the past ten years.

And not just once…… Expand
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8
kyle20ellisApr 29, 2022
As someone who really enjoyed Rise of the Planet of the Apes, expectations were high for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. And apart from a rushed ending and the underdeveloped human characters Dawn of the Planet of the Apes didn't disappointAs someone who really enjoyed Rise of the Planet of the Apes, expectations were high for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. And apart from a rushed ending and the underdeveloped human characters Dawn of the Planet of the Apes didn't disappoint and is just as good. It looks amazing for starters, the cinematography and lighting are of great beauty and atmosphere and the scenery is equally striking. But the visual highlight, and most likely the best thing about the film, are the special effects for the apes, that they look so real and that it's hard to believe they were done by computer is testament to how good they look. The soundtrack is haunting and rousing with no dirge-like tempos and it doesn't feel overbearing either, even with sound with as much authenticity as here. The script also impresses, it's very intelligently done and has a lot of tension and heart. What impressed even more was how simple and nuanced some of it was, like when the apes speak they only need to say a few words and it still feels like it's saying a lot, a couple of times even a sideways glance brings more impact than you'd think. The story takes a bigger and somewhat bolder approach than Rise of the Planet of the Apes and this is an instance of it working very well, especially with the visceral action sequences which are very tense and look terrific and in the incredibly intense and emotional final act. It's compelling stuff where you feel compassion for and identify with every step of the way with Caesar and his family. Matt Reeves' direction doesn't make the mistake of being overblown or lethargic, there is at least a sense that he knows what he's doing. The acting is solid, Jason Clarke and Keri Russell are charming leads and Gary Oldman while criminally underused still gives a spirited performances. But other than the special effects the other highlight is the characterisation of the apes, which is just superb especially for Caesar(who is by far and way the most relatable and most compelling character in the entire film), Andy Serkis never fails to amaze me. All in all a really well done blockbuster, although the human characters do not register anywhere near as well as the special effects and the apes characterisations. 8/10 Bethany Cox… Expand
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8
tare1575Dec 18, 2021
번역없이 이해되고, 여러번봐도 질리지 않는 영화!!
A film that can be understood without translation and never get tired of watching many times!!
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
FloroOct 17, 2021
It has a very predictable plot and focuses on the humans way too much than it needs to. But this movie redeems some of its flaws with its spectacular performances and characters, with top-notch special effects as icing on the cake.
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9
NoneLovesMeMar 8, 2021
This could definitely be considered one of the best sequels of all time, even the human characters are super interesting, but the one stealing the show is obviously caeser, or the two characters because Koba makes for the series best villanThis could definitely be considered one of the best sequels of all time, even the human characters are super interesting, but the one stealing the show is obviously caeser, or the two characters because Koba makes for the series best villan over all in the series, and not to mention the improved special effects and story, such a great movie.… Expand
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7
MrPajamasNov 1, 2020
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes builds on the previous part and more or less repeats everything previous. Excellent effects with excellent action and the story is nice, but not as good as in the previous part. If you liked the previous part,Dawn of the Planet of the Apes builds on the previous part and more or less repeats everything previous. Excellent effects with excellent action and the story is nice, but not as good as in the previous part. If you liked the previous part, you will probably like this one as well. This film goes for sure and it's just a quality action film that I recommend.… Expand
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10
CrocBainDec 9, 2020
This movie just has so many great things about it, everything in it shows how similar and how different everything can be. It showed how the world can definitely collapse from something terrible just simply by the civil unrest an epidemic canThis movie just has so many great things about it, everything in it shows how similar and how different everything can be. It showed how the world can definitely collapse from something terrible just simply by the civil unrest an epidemic can cause. It was also an interesting new perspective on that stereotypical post-apocalyptic world. One interesting thing I noticed is that you have two characters for each type of person equaling 4 of them total in this assessment.

Koba(Ape) and Dreyfus want nothing but war, Koba is a bit more extreme as he is more primal but Dreyfus definitely didn't want to have peace either.

And then you had Caesar(Ape) and Malcolm, both of them could see the good in everyone and always wanted to resolve issues instead of instigating them.

This was just one small thing I noticed. There's a lot to take away from this movie, I understand that assessment of the characters might seem shallow when written out but that's because I want to avoid spoilers, it's much more in depth in the movie. GO WATCH IT!… Expand
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7
akshatmahajanOct 16, 2020
I am big fan of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, it was with some anticipation that I awaited this latest instalment. Maybe I had my expectations too high, or maybe the film is just missing that something special, movie was not upto the mark.I am big fan of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, it was with some anticipation that I awaited this latest instalment. Maybe I had my expectations too high, or maybe the film is just missing that something special, movie was not upto the mark. The acting was okay except Ceaser's (whose acting was great). The plot was good but little bit stretched. The pacing was also problem but not a big one.

Overall, you will enjoy the movie but it has some limitations.… Expand
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9
MahmusSep 25, 2020
When Rise of the Planet of the Apes was announced, I didn't think it would be that good. To my surprise, it was.

When the sequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was announced, I knew it would be good. To my surprise, it was even better.When Rise of the Planet of the Apes was announced, I didn't think it would be that good. To my surprise, it was.

When the sequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was announced, I knew it would be good. To my surprise, it was even better.

Having recently seen the original 1968 Planet of the Apes for the first time, I have gotten a new level of appreciation for the reboot trilogy, this film in particular, which is my favorite of the three.

To see the beginnings of the ape civilization is fascinating, but it wouldn't be nearly as interesting if it weren't for Andy Serkis' incredible performance as Caesar. Him and the Visual Effects artists had already brought this incredible character to life in the previous movie, but here, they cemented him as one of the decade's most memorable heroes.… Expand
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9
zNeverSleepingAug 29, 2020
"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" mantém a essência do primeiro, mas não só isso, explora as possibilidades reais do acontecido e as evolui de uma maneira incrível.

Toda a semelhança entre os primatas e os humanos é muito bem explorada aqui."Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" mantém a essência do primeiro, mas não só isso, explora as possibilidades reais do acontecido e as evolui de uma maneira incrível.

Toda a semelhança entre os primatas e os humanos é muito bem explorada aqui. Seja em relação a cultura, método de caça, respeito, medo, conceito de família etc. Uma ótima sacada do roteiro foi situar uma realidade onde os primatas estão em constante evolução, já os humanos em declínio. Eles nem se quer tem energia elétrica, um dos pilares mais básicos. A evolução do personagem "César" é brilhante. No inicio da obra, o mesmo acreditava que era melhor que os humanos, já no final seu pensamento mudara. Ele percebera que os mesmos eram muito mais parecidos com os humanos do que ele desejara.

O filme deixa claro que os humanos foram inconsequentes desde o principio. Além de criar um vírus, conseguiram a proeza de criar uma nova vida inteligente. Mas o que mais me chamou atenção foi quais sentimentos o protagonista e antagonista aprenderam dos humanos. César aprendeu a amar, pois já esteve com um humano verdadeiramente bom, que lhe deu um lá e o acolheu. Koba foi um objeto de estudo e sofreu a sua vida toda, logo aprendeu a odiar. O mesmo já tinha um espirito antagônico desde o primeiro longa, e sua evolução ate´aqui é satisfatória nesse sentido.

A cinematografia desse filme chega a ser poética em diversos planos, rendendo ótimas fotografias ricas em conteúdos sub-contextuais. A ost também esteve bem presente e a mixagem de som foi muito bem feita. A direção de arte no que se diz respeito aos primatas e a cidade também está de parabéns. Não posso deixar de mencionar a voz de César, que tem um peso ABSURDO. A voz de Koba também é muito marcante, e inclusive, a diferença no tom e tonalidade cria um contraste muito interessante entre os macacos.… Expand
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10
DiptanshuMay 2, 2020
Surprisingly Great!Amazing follow up from last story,story was fresh and amazing the situation and time shift was great whole plot was unpredictable!Great music it was thrilling and beautiful at loving moments!great screenplay engaging tillSurprisingly Great!Amazing follow up from last story,story was fresh and amazing the situation and time shift was great whole plot was unpredictable!Great music it was thrilling and beautiful at loving moments!great screenplay engaging till end starting 30 mins i literally don't want to blink my eye it was damn beautiful,the visuals the CGI the colors the whole environment and nature was skeptical and beautiful!acting was great specially Andy Serkis his expressions were unbelievably great.action scenes were great specially at climax it was awesome and the twists and betrayal was amazingly unpredictable and the chaos at last was literally dark and the whole situations we were like who to blame for fight for apes or humans every one has there point of view but Cesar was great at the end cause no matter chaos happened it happened because of apes and the end ready for war.overall it was Amazingly beautifully entertaining movie!A masterpiece!… Expand
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6
gracjanskiMar 13, 2020
Another action Planet of the Apes movie, that means low story, boring characters and movie for the mainstream with a lot of logic mistakes. The Characters are so one sided, and behave so dumb, that it was even ridiculous. Only the beginningAnother action Planet of the Apes movie, that means low story, boring characters and movie for the mainstream with a lot of logic mistakes. The Characters are so one sided, and behave so dumb, that it was even ridiculous. Only the beginning is very interesting, but the 2nd half is so disappointing, that I was asking myself, when does it end?… Expand
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9
AWESOM-0Feb 17, 2020
Just awesome, just as good as the first. This series is turning out to be one of the best trilogies!
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9
Richmond95Oct 5, 2019
Easily the best in the modern Apes trilogy. Telling a mature story showing respectfully both sides of the central conflict, and featuring wonderful characters, splendid acting, and wonderful special effects, Dawn is worth being considered oneEasily the best in the modern Apes trilogy. Telling a mature story showing respectfully both sides of the central conflict, and featuring wonderful characters, splendid acting, and wonderful special effects, Dawn is worth being considered one of the best films in the 2010's.… Expand
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8
BeatrixKiddoSep 18, 2019
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. That was pretty cool, maybe Andy Serkis's best acting so far. I liked this movie more than other two.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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10
JollyRae16Jun 13, 2019
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is the pinnacle of the Planet of the Apes series. It contains all of the best elements from each film from the political undertones to the stunning special effects to outstanding action set pieces to strongDawn of the Planet of the Apes is the pinnacle of the Planet of the Apes series. It contains all of the best elements from each film from the political undertones to the stunning special effects to outstanding action set pieces to strong likeable characters and a thrilling plot with Shakespearean ambitions.

Ten years after the events of Rise of the Planet of the Apes a deadly virus has ravaged human civilization wiping out large parts of humanity. The evolved apes are now living in woods in San Francisco, led by Caesar, who now has his own son Blue Eyes. There is hostility after they stumble across a group of humans on their land but it’s revealed that the humans don’t want trouble, they are only looking to repair a hydroelectric dam to restore power to their city for the survivors. Caesar let’s them work on repairing the dam but his lieutenant Koba doesn’t trust humans and wants a war against mankind.

There was scepticism towards this sequel as the director Rupert Wyatt had left the project and main actor James Franco wouldn’t be returning. “Cloverfield” director Matt Reeves was hired to take over the film. Although the director had changed, the sequel was similar in tone and style while also successful building on the lore and character development from the original.

The characters of Caesar and Koba, and their relationship, is dead-centre in this story. Caesar’s character is more full and developed as he becomes more intelligent and interesting. The side story with his partner and son also gives him more depth and relatability. Koba’s character actually goes through the largest character arc. From having a small role in Rise, the seeds were planted when you see him being tested on and tortured by humans. But in Dawn he becomes more vengeful towards mankind and actually has a highly emotional scene pointing out his facial scars to Caesar and declaring it was “Human work!”.

The visuals and special effects are both striking with Matt Reeves having a great eye for impactful imagery. The fortress the apes live in is a sight to behold and looks like something out of a Kurosawa film. The motion capture special effects have also been improved with the apes looking more realistic than ever, the scenes with the apes interacting with each other are seamless. The special effects are arguably some of the best use of CGI ever created.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was proof that audiences still liked intelligent blockbusters. Beating the box-office of its predecessor while also receiving more favourable reviews from film critics. With a thoughtful story, full of extremely powerful moments and backed by great characters, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes eclipsed the idea of a ‘Summer-Blockbuster’.… Expand
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6
TyranianJun 9, 2019
Pretty good sequel with excellent visuals and good music though the human characters are boring.
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9
DominArsenDec 8, 2018
La Planète des singes : l'affrontement est un très bon film et est surement l'un des plus intelligents de l'été jusqu'à maintenant.

Un film de Matt Reeves qui développe de belles idées, [spoiler] mais qui se laisse un peu emporté à laLa Planète des singes : l'affrontement est un très bon film et est surement l'un des plus intelligents de l'été jusqu'à maintenant.

Un film de Matt Reeves qui développe de belles idées, [spoiler] mais qui se laisse un peu emporté à la fin. [/spoiler] Cependant ça reste très beau visuellement.

La musique composée par Michael Giacchino qui a aussi fait les musiques de la série "Lost porté disparu" n'est pas pour rien dans cette histoire.

MAIS une des musique qui est censé nous faire ressentir la tristesse ou la beauté reste trop proche du thème de "LOST" et c'est assez dommage, car à chaque film ou série sont ambiance propre...
Sur ce point c'est dommage, mais la musique étant géniale et faisant ressortir toutes les émotions on oublie très vite que changé une note ressemble plus à du recyclage qu'au travaille de composition (je m'avoue déçu de Giacchino).

Bref sur ce; Un film à ne pas louper si vous attendez quelque chose de plus profond qu'un Transformeurs. [Séance 3D]… Expand
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4
imthenoobNov 3, 2018
Visually impressive but the story is too generic and disappointing. The ending was just nonsense and I am disappointed that they wasted a quality villain in Oldman.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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10
ErikTheCriticSep 26, 2018
"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" is the perfect and the best summer movie. With its mind-blowing visuals and very intense action, combined with family and social implication themes, this is one epic movie which pays off big.
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6
FilipeNetoAug 22, 2018
"Planet of the Apes: Revolt" is the promised sequel to "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", both of which are based on Pierre Boulle's dystopic book. Now humans are a minority, a race facing extinction (what an irony!) that apes seem to be able"Planet of the Apes: Revolt" is the promised sequel to "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", both of which are based on Pierre Boulle's dystopic book. Now humans are a minority, a race facing extinction (what an irony!) that apes seem to be able to seriously threaten. The contact between them reminded me of the difficult and dangerous understanding between different communities when distrust prevails. We can imagine something similar in moments of our past, like the first contact between European navigators and indigenous peoples of the Americas, for example. Distrust, fear, displays of power to intimidation... the film shows these in a very interesting way, with the apes being very similar to us, in behavior and way of think. Unfortunately, the whole film is quite pretentious and full of self-importance: both sides have an exaggerated awareness of the relevance of events to their own community. This is the most boring point of the movie. The actors do a good job, but non-human characters get more interest and dominate the scene. Technically, the film doesn't deserve major criticism. CGI is more cautious than in the first movie and seems more real. Sequences of combat and action are breathtaking, certainly pleasing to those who seek action and adventure.… Expand
1 of 1 users found this helpful10
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8
benskylerhillJun 8, 2018
Serving as a sequel that improves upon its predecessor, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes adds resonant depth to the complex political tragedy to the narrative of a long-living franchise. It's a gorgeous-looking movie and nearly everything aboutServing as a sequel that improves upon its predecessor, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes adds resonant depth to the complex political tragedy to the narrative of a long-living franchise. It's a gorgeous-looking movie and nearly everything about it works.

It takes a while for the story to really get going, just as it was with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the previous film. But once the action starts, the cinematography really starts to shine. The action sequences are some of the best I've seen in a long time. The vibrant colors bring out incredible detail and the camera follows everything perfectly. Once again, Andy Serkis is magnificent as Caesar. Really, all of the motion capture imagery is just beyond stunning. There's so much behind the facial expressions and mannerisms of the apes: brotherhood, pain, etc. It's incredible how much emotion is evoked in the actors' performances when they hardly even speak!

The script does a wonderful job at developing the apes as characters, but Dawn suffers from the same problem that Rise had: clichéd and underdeveloped human characters. Gary Oldman makes the most of his smaller supporting role, but the rest of the human characters behave in ways that are quite illogical that make it difficult to really care about them or understand them. Some of the human characters don't even do enough to justify their large presence in the film.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes mostly overcomes what flaws it has with an intelligent story, engaging political drama, and beautiful, smooth direction. It improves upon its predecessor in every way and enriches the drama of an enduring saga.

Story: 8
Acting: 8.5
Script: 7.5
Visuals/Sound: 10
Entertainment Value: 8.5

OVERALL SCORE: 8.5/10… Expand
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9
merijnjFeb 21, 2018
(90/100)
You've got to see this movie its concept and excecution are amazing!
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7
amheretojudgeJan 16, 2018
came out of a laboratory..

Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes

Matt creates this wiped-out world filled with dreadful characters that comes with their own baggage and of course an addition to an important chapter on Andy Serkis; this is a big bang.
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7
SrPepeNov 18, 2017
Una buena película con personajes llenos de vida. Cada uno tiene una personalidad bien construida y aportan mucho a la historia. Hay partes lentas, no se si la vería de nuevo.
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8
inaneswineNov 14, 2017
Accompanied by near seamless visuals, atmospheric cinematography and great performances from its human characters, Dawn is an excellent study into the futility of war, the love of power and the human condition, made more poignant by havingAccompanied by near seamless visuals, atmospheric cinematography and great performances from its human characters, Dawn is an excellent study into the futility of war, the love of power and the human condition, made more poignant by having these concepts played out almost exclusively by the apes.… Expand
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8
DirigiblePulpAug 20, 2017
An improvement on Rise, that film's sci-fi ambitions a tad undercooked. Here the focus is on psychology. Koba is a great villain, with a strong performance from Toby Kebbell who has some hilarious "playing" dumb-ape scenes that are perfect -An improvement on Rise, that film's sci-fi ambitions a tad undercooked. Here the focus is on psychology. Koba is a great villain, with a strong performance from Toby Kebbell who has some hilarious "playing" dumb-ape scenes that are perfect - until he becomes a simplistic power hungry mad hatter at the end. He was broken by the world and thought he was helping the apes, then suddenly at the end he becomes simply insane and angry. The other "villain", Gary Oldman, is vastly underwritten - in fact the humans are in general. This film is less about a rift between humans and apes then it is about Caesar realizing apes aren't just inherently good because they're apes and not humans. I wish the ending were tighter in general and the human dilemma equal to the apes.… Expand
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9
Dragonfly44Jul 19, 2017
One of my favorite movies of all time. Everything is set up nicely and while it is missing that nice feeling Rise gave me, this film is just way too great for me to explain. And to top it off? Perfect acting and CGI
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9
Creeper3455Jul 14, 2017
Let me ask you something, whoever's reading this. How would you make a great Sequel to an already great reboot? By adding a talented director? By making a great screenplay? That (and many more) are the questions that Dawn Of The Planet Of TheLet me ask you something, whoever's reading this. How would you make a great Sequel to an already great reboot? By adding a talented director? By making a great screenplay? That (and many more) are the questions that Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes answers correctly,with a groundbreaking (if not also crazy) story,a progressively better motion capture,the phenomenal score by Michael Giacchino and what could probably be the best action sequences I've seen in a movie about Apes.… Expand
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2
Codemonkey1991Jul 12, 2017
Hands down one of the most painful movies I've ever watched. I'm usually not bothered by a few convenient plot holes, but the stupidity displayed by the people in this movie simply defies belief. If you have two IQ points to rub together thisHands down one of the most painful movies I've ever watched. I'm usually not bothered by a few convenient plot holes, but the stupidity displayed by the people in this movie simply defies belief. If you have two IQ points to rub together this movie will probably just piss you off rather than draw you in.

I don't want to spoil anything so you'll just have to see for yourself, though I don't recommend it.… Expand
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1
JP32Jun 17, 2017
Instead of simply taking the story seriously, the film takes itself seriously. Here is a group of people (Reeves, Serkis, etc.) who "know" that the movie they are making is an important Hollywood milestone. That is never good.
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7
JacobApr 16, 2017
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes presents a morally complex story. The conflict between the apes and the humans isn’t black and white with heroes and villains on both sides, factions that each have clear motivations, and a difficult conflictDawn of the Planet of the Apes presents a morally complex story. The conflict between the apes and the humans isn’t black and white with heroes and villains on both sides, factions that each have clear motivations, and a difficult conflict for which there is no easy solution. It is brought to life by some well-realized characters some of which are brought to life through some incredible motion capture work. The phenomenal execution makes it easy to overlook the familiarity of the story especially considering that this is a way better version of Battle for the Planet of the Apes.… Expand
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3
qamasterNov 9, 2014
terribly boring movie. many stupid fights and shooting. plot is primitive. the characters are flat and uninteresting. I could watch this movie only on fast forward
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8
CineAutoctonoJan 27, 2017
"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" sequel to the prequel to "The Planet of the Apes" was very good, in moments of drama, and action, new characters, between apes and humans, the usual "ape" characters , The plot was spectacular, the"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" sequel to the prequel to "The Planet of the Apes" was very good, in moments of drama, and action, new characters, between apes and humans, the usual "ape" characters , The plot was spectacular, the post-apocalyptic scenario was great, the story very good, and the performances and special effects were very good.… Expand
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10
FreedomFightersJan 9, 2017
Wow...wow wow wow..."Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," you are tremendous! Even though I was a bit skeptical after Rupert Wyatt was replaced by Matt Reeves, the man exceeded my expectations and created an excellent film that stands tall as oneWow...wow wow wow..."Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," you are tremendous! Even though I was a bit skeptical after Rupert Wyatt was replaced by Matt Reeves, the man exceeded my expectations and created an excellent film that stands tall as one of my personal favorite movies of all-time. Yeah, I'm going that far. "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" is masterfully written, excellently directed, wonderfully acted (ESPECIALLY by Andy Serkis), visually spectacular, action-packed and emotional. Forget being an excellent "summer blockbuster" or an excellent "action film," "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" is filmmaking done right. This is how you make a brilliant movie, people. Make it a point to watch "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes." It's worth it.… Expand
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9
Jack97Dec 16, 2016
A slow paced yet riveting ride powered by magnificent performances and unexpected emotional undertones that adds weight to an already captivating experience.
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10
rxbirthOct 24, 2016
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: Review
On July 11, 2014, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was released at the American box office as well as other large markets. The film was released three years after it’s predecessor, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, a film another critically acclaimed film in the franchise. Dawn follows a story about a tribe-like group of apes, lead by Cesar, that find themselves into conflict with a nearby city of human survivors of the Simian flu that’s killed a vast majority of the world population. Over the course of the movie, boundaries are broken by greedy, backstabbing members of both communities that leads to death infused war. The film was directed by Matt Reeves and marks as one of his career highlights as a director. The film stands strong with a Rotten Tomatoes score of a whopping 90% and went on to make over 700 million dollars at the box office over the course of its run. The film proved as a powerhouse through its amazing visuals, plot, pace, and perfect balance of action and character development.
In today’s technologically advanced world, computer graphics are at an all-time high in quality and film studios need to make sure they’ve carefully crafted realistic visuals; furthermore, Dawn of the Apes produced some of the best CGI seen in recent years. Through the work of specialists and computer graphic designers, the film beautifully rendered humans into realistic apes. Once watching the film, the graphics mesmerize one to the point that one would have to question if the apes in the film are in fact real. That’s one factor that could make or break a film; A film with tragic graphics vs. one with life-like graphics. This film certainly exceeded expectations in that department. From beginning to end, the graphics represented just how much work the graphic designers had to pull through. From explosions, guns, and war action to the green scenery of the woods and other settings, the graphics in the film are bound to catch any viewer’s attention.
At a time where many large-scale films suffer from weak plots, the screen writers wrote a script that not only worked, but had movie-goers (myself included) at the edge of their seats until the very end. The world’s lived through over a century of cinema and at times many storylines feel exhausted as they've been recycled over and over. Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa, and Amanda Silver really pulled through with a dynamic memorable script that’s seems fresh in a world full of recycled, overplayed scripts. The screenwriters here captured a storyline with a twist, although formed from a reboot, it seemed quite refreshing. The plot follows a group of survivors in a world where the simian flu has wiped out a large number of mankind; they find their way towards the woods where Cesar (Andy Serkis) leads his tribe of apes in a new way of life. The way they eventually collide with one another is one for the record books. While sitting through this movie, one doesn't really know what’s coming next. That’s the beauty of well written script; People are left on an adventure not knowing what’s going to hit them.
Not only does the film encompass a well-crafted script and outstanding visuals, it captures a organic flow that most movies seem to suffer from nowadays: pace. Pacing can be just as important in a film; It’s what leaves audiences feeling empty as the story rushes through each plot-line or at ease with a natural-like flow. A movie’s pace should never feel rushed and it should never feel like it drags on either. Another factor that the crew nailed on the spot! Not once does the movie feel rushed. Even through the all the twists and turns the motion picture takes, the pacing of the plot flows in a way a film should: organically. Dawn of the Apes finds itself steering steadily into different scenes with different characters at a comfortable pace.
Movies are prone to suffer from an imbalance of substance and style, character/plot development and action. With the work of talented editors and producers, this film fell nowhere near as a victim to that issue. While watching the film unfold, the action never felt forced and it certainly never felt overexposed. There was always a purpose behind it. That’s extremely crucial when filmmakers sometimes try to please the audience with their style rather than their substance. Directors like Michael Bay regularly put their visual effects to extensive use. Visual effects contribute to a great film, but they sometimes try to overcompensate when a story lacks substance. It’s clear here that the talented crew had no issues in being able to capture the beauty of both. With a perfect balance of substance and style, Matt Reeves found himself directing a beautifully written scrip along with visuals that embodied a unique aesthetically pleasing style.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, a hefty title but it brings more to the table than a majority of box office hits nowadays.… Expand
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9
gamingisgreatAug 24, 2016
Amazing.Enough said...................................................................................................................................
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8
SpangleJul 22, 2016
These new age Planet of the Apes films continue to deeply impress with me with equal parts brawn, brain, and beauty. Smart and impeccably well crafted, this installment's first half is a little weak at times, but the second half is unmatchedThese new age Planet of the Apes films continue to deeply impress with me with equal parts brawn, brain, and beauty. Smart and impeccably well crafted, this installment's first half is a little weak at times, but the second half is unmatched in recent times from war films. Honestly, this and its first installment have to be some of the best war films of this decade and up there for this century as a whole. Director Matt Reeves picks up where Rupert Wyatt left off with a beautifully poetic and stunningly crafted film about Caesar and the apes. Mirroring foreign politics on the brink of war in real life, all of those same problems and confusions are represented here with a deeply human and moving film the result. Neither side is good, neither side is bad. Instead, it is one big shade of gray with plenty of confusion on both sides. The cinematography and score are once more incredible. The special effects are fantastic and the fight choreography incredibly impressive. Many modern day blockbusters lack weight and an air of importance and "epicness". This one has it all in spades with a truly incredible film that packs a true emotional punch due to the trauma that can come from misunderstandings. Once again, the modern day Planet of the Apes delivers.… Expand
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10
SirSX3Apr 9, 2016
The most enjoyable movie I've seen this year. This film not only reach my high expectations, but far exceeds it. This is shaping out to be my favourite/most anticipated movie series; I'm really looking forward to the next instalment.
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8
MovieMasterEddyApr 7, 2016
‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ Continues the Saga.

A quick montage at the beginning of “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” fills us in on what has happened since “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” Three years have gone by for us in the‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ Continues the Saga.

A quick montage at the beginning of “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” fills us in on what has happened since “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” Three years have gone by for us in the audience, and about a decade for the assorted primates on the screen. James Franco and millions of other people are dead, victims of a lethal virus and the usual apocalypse-causing disease of hubris. After a period of violence and chaos, the survivors have cobbled together a reasonably stable society in the ruins of San Francisco, with Gary Oldman in charge.

But this is not “Dusk of the Planet of the Humans.” The spectacle of yet another desperate population, huddled together in the wake of catastrophe to await the next zombie, alien, robot or monster attack, would be unlikely to inspire much excitement. The real interest lies across the battered Golden Gate Bridge, in Marin County, where our evolutionary cousins, under the benevolent guidance of an upright-walking chimpanzee named Caesar, have built their own civilization. In contrast to the bedraggled human colony, the ape encampment is a thriving city-state with distinctive wooden architecture, domesticated horses, a sophisticated (mostly signed) language and an educational system overseen by Maurice, the gentle, copper-furred orangutan who gave the first movie an extra fillip of soul.

The sylvan, simian Athens in the Muir Woods is a remarkable achievement and an important part of what makes “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” directed by Matt Reeves from a script by Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver and Mark Bomback, the best of this summer’s large-scale, big-studio franchise movies. Granted, this isn’t a very high bar to clear: “better than ‘Transformers 4’ ” barely counts as praise, even with an exclamation mark. But unlike that toy-smashing extravaganza — and unlike 2014’s visitations from the “Spider-Man,” “X-Men” and “Godzilla” money trains — “Dawn” is more than a bunch of occasionally thrilling action sequences, emotional gut punches and throwaway jokes arranged in predictable sequence. It is technically impressive and viscerally exciting, for sure, but it also gives you a lot to think, and even to care, about.

Starting with the apes themselves. In the final credits, Andy Serkis receives top billing for his performance as Caesar, a role that continues to redefine screen acting in the digital age. His facial expressions and body language are so evocatively and precisely rendered that it is impossible to say where his art ends and the exquisite artifice of Weta Digital, the special-effects company, begins. The same is true of the other main ape performers: Karin Konoval (Maurice); Nick Thurston (Caesar’s son Blue Eyes); Judy Greer (Caesar’s wife, Cornelia); and especially Toby Kebbell as Koba, Caesar’s lieutenant and eventual nemesis.

Koba, a survivor of scientific experiments, bears the physical and moral scars of human cruelty. When the apes encounter a scouting party from the city (led by Jason Clarke and Keri Russell), Koba is quick to sound the alarm. The humans, about to run out of fuel, want to restore an abandoned hydroelectric station in ape territory, and they ask Caesar for help. Koba warns that people are a violent, duplicitous, predatory species that should be fought if it can’t be avoided.

Caesar, who saw the generous, tender side of humanity when he was hanging out with Mr. Franco and Freida Pinto, is willing to give our kind the benefit of the doubt. There is plenty of evidence — both in the movie and beyond it — to support Koba’s view, but the film comes down squarely, and maybe a little too squishily, on the side of tolerance and cooperation. The ape and human societies are parallel primitive patriarchies (women nurture and worry, while men lead and fight, a disappointing but hardly surprising failure of imagination on the filmmakers’ part), and they are threatened by symmetrical schisms. As Koba opposes Caesar, so does Malcolm (Mr. Clarke’s character) find himself increasingly at odds with Dreyfus (Mr. Oldman), who sees the apes as a mortal threat to be confronted with maximum brutality.

And while “Rise” found room for exuberance in the shadow of catastrophe — partly because it seemed so justifiably excited by its own ingenuity — “Dawn,” its title notwithstanding, paints a darker, scarier picture of the future. It also has a grave, brooding beauty, intensified by Michael Giacchino’s wild and subtle score and by the deep, verdant shadows of Michael Seresin’s cinematography. Mr. Reeves has a fine sense of visual detail and also of the eloquence of nonverbal exchanges between characters, digitally enhanced and otherwise. (Ms. Russell and Kodi Smit-McPhee, as her adolescent son, do especially graceful work in limited roles.) The film is full of small, memorable moments and crowded with distinctive personalities on both sides of the ape-human divide.… Expand
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9
ReelViews94Mar 23, 2016
A gripping account of interspecies conflict, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes manages to do at least three things exceptionally well that are hard enough to pull off individually: Maintain a simmering level of tension without letup for twoA gripping account of interspecies conflict, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes manages to do at least three things exceptionally well that are hard enough to pull off individually: Maintain a simmering level of tension without letup for two hours, seriously improve on a very good first entry in a franchise and produce a powerful humanistic statement using a significantly simian cast of characters. In the annals of sequels, Dawn is to Rise of the Planet of the Apes what The Empire Strikes Back was to Star Wars — it’s that much better. A mainstream blockbuster with a lot on its mind, director Matt Reeves' synthesis of brains and brawn kicks it over the goalposts and out of the stadium.

Whatever anyone might think about the film as a whole, there is no question that Andy Serkis gives the most expressive, soulful, deeply felt performance of a non-human character the big screen has ever offered as the mature Caesar, the ape raised from childhood in captivity who now leads a band of a couple of thousand encamped in the Muir Woods north of San Francisco. His Roman namesake notwithstanding, the historical figure Caesar most resembles is none other than Abraham Lincoln, a wise, compassionate fellow with the common touch, old before his time, his eyes weary from all the suffering he’s seen, a peaceful sort by nature forced by fate to lead his followers in wartime and who is strong enough physically to take on, if pressed, any adversary.

The situation at the outset is plenty clear, so that even those who missed Rise will have no trouble quickly engaging with the action here. In the wake of the massive ape escape from the Gen-Sys Labs and their tear through San Francisco and over the Golden Gate Bridge to Marin County, the virulent Simian Virus has, over the course of a decade, killed the vast majority of Earth’s human population and left the rest desperate to survive in a world that, among previous dystopian depictions, is not unlike that of Kevin Costner’s little-loved but intermittently resonant The Postman.

The members of Caesar’s community are, you might say, multiethnic; in addition to the dominant apes, there are orangutans, gorillas and bonobos, among others. They communicate mostly through a graceful, shorthand sort of sign language that is niftily translated via subtitles. Some of them are also expert horsemen, as seen in a startling initial action scene in which apes, darting from tree to tree as well as on land, make a savage attack on some elk and then battle a large bear.

Although their homemade compound is a makeshift mess, the world they inhabit is gorgeous; watching the film in 3D, you’re enveloped by dark, thick greens, wet leaves, clouds, mist and moisture (although completely convincing as Northern California, these scenes were mostly shot in forests near Vancouver and New Orleans). Much has been and will be made of the fact that this is the first time that performance capture 3D has been accomplished in practical settings rather than in a studio; the result is unquestionably stunning, just as the sight of up to 50 actors at a time running around in monkey suits is made to look entirely believable.

It’s been a long time since the apes have seen any humans, the few of the latter that remain locally having hunkered down in a decimated, foliage-covered San Francisco amassing weapons at the armory and trying to restore electrical power. This effort leads a small troupe led by cautious former architect and widower Malcolm (Jason Clarke), his nurse girlfriend Ellie (Keri Russell) and Malcolm’s insecure teen son Alexander (Kodi Smit-McPhee) to locate a dam in ape territory, a treacherous undertaking that produces startling revelations on both sides; the apes are upset to find that humans even still exist, while the latter are shocked to learn that apes can talk.

Although there is mistrust all around, Caesar arbitrates a truce, but factional fissures quickly appear. Although guns are supposed to be kept locked up, some trigger-happy types can’t help themselves, while one ape in particular, Koba (Toby Kebbell), who was a lab monkey in Rise, is a rabble-rouser for whom the only good human is a dead human. How each faction struggles to keep its own wayward members in line produces just as much consternation and suspense as does the bigger conflict between the separate species.

This aspect of the excellent screenplay by Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (the latter two the married co-writers and co-producers of Rise) emits grim but timely echoes of any number of contemporary societies coping with conflicts between moderate and extremist elements.

Without pummeling the viewer, the only thing so many action, big-budget-oriented directors seem to know how to do these days, Reeves delivers the goods with a fluid sense of imagery and an intelligence more philosophical than geeky or scientific.

These apes rule!… Expand
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10
nahtan1244Mar 22, 2016
An absolutely mesmerizing film. Very disappointed this was way overlooked at the Oscars. This movie is a statement of how you make a great movie. No overblown explosions with minimal character development transformers. This is a fantasticAn absolutely mesmerizing film. Very disappointed this was way overlooked at the Oscars. This movie is a statement of how you make a great movie. No overblown explosions with minimal character development transformers. This is a fantastic scifi movie with amazing performances by the human cast and INCREDIBLE performances by it's ape counter part. This movie is not for those who loves a spoon fed action spectacle like transformers or movies with action character development then more action. what this does is slowly builds to a heart wrenching climax while still managing to deliver some of the most beautiful artistic action sequences i have ever seen In this movie we get delivered to some performances by andy serkis who improves upon his last in rise of the planet of the apes. This movies also executes a twist i din't see coming and makes me hate the movies antagonist even more. So if your tired of mind numbing action movies and silly summer spectacles go see this movie you won't be sorry you did… Expand
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10
G0dtecFeb 20, 2016
It was an astonishing movie. Greatly succeeded to deliver all the messages that Matt Reeves want to deliver. Even though we are human beings, at the end of the movie, we just start to wish Ape's Luck. The movie that make us think back ourselves.
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7
EpicLadySpongeJan 10, 2016
As the second of the rebooted trilogy comes, it's only a matter of time before it loses that one score from the first movie of the rebooted trilogy. As war comes, the Planet of the Apes trilogy will remain strong.
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5
mcfryOct 16, 2015
I can live with a few plot holes, as long as I am rewarded with something intriguing. But in this case, the unintelligent story design was too much for me. Everything just happens because the script says so, no matter whether it's plausible.I can live with a few plot holes, as long as I am rewarded with something intriguing. But in this case, the unintelligent story design was too much for me. Everything just happens because the script says so, no matter whether it's plausible. Mostly because of that, my impression was overall worse than the one I took from the predecessor - which got some gaping abysses, too, but not AS many. The larger the scope ...

And the cliches: it feels like a lost opportunity, to see the apes mimic humans to such an extend they even copy cliche characters and moments! The apes are more convincing when they are not like humans. Ultimately, this would be a far better fictional documentary, than it is a movie.

To be fair, the narration has several intriguing moments, and the presentation is mostly worthwhile. Dialog is not to be reckoned with, but in this case I'd say, less dialog means less **** Also, I liked sign language and the speech without human melody. There are these, and a lot more well executed ideas. The thing has potential. I just wish the script had seen some harsh review before shooting anything.

As it stands, I am afraid to say that this is still in B-movie leage. I can't imagine people will take this movie seriously in a few years from now. My expectations for the continuation of the saga are very limited after this.… Expand
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10
JxcanalSep 18, 2015
First off... I walked into this with the bad taste in my mouth from the previous film "rise of the planet of the apes". However, After 15 minutes I knew we had something different here. This film caught me. It looked and feltFirst off... I walked into this with the bad taste in my mouth from the previous film "rise of the planet of the apes". However, After 15 minutes I knew we had something different here. This film caught me. It looked and felt semi-realistic. The tension between characters, the distrust between species were all relevant topics in 2014-2015. It's worth a watch everyone, do not let the haters tell you otherwise. What we have here is a reality the Europeans are trying to bring under control as a group of 'outsiders' suddenly show up at your border... 9 of 10. Cheers… Expand
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8
DanBurritoSep 13, 2015
A very interesting movie though it's also slightly depressing. Then again, this is a planet of the apes movie. The first of these ended with a lecture on how we'll destroy the planet. So being depressing isn't exactly a surprise. But anyway,A very interesting movie though it's also slightly depressing. Then again, this is a planet of the apes movie. The first of these ended with a lecture on how we'll destroy the planet. So being depressing isn't exactly a surprise. But anyway, let's talk about the apes. Caesar was the best character because he had the most depth. Krona was also a good villain because he was really complex. Gary Oldman's character was interesting too. He obviously has a tragic past, and there's one scene where you feel sorry for him but at the same time, he's prepared to destroy the apes even when one of his own people tries to tell him that they aren't truly evil. It's a very good movie, one of the best of 2014.… Expand
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7
grandpajoe6191Aug 27, 2015
"Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes", despite the crude cliches and ex-machinas filling in for the film's overly exaggerated plot, is still a reasonably good summer blockbuster to enjoy thanks to some excellent performances from Andy Serkis and"Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes", despite the crude cliches and ex-machinas filling in for the film's overly exaggerated plot, is still a reasonably good summer blockbuster to enjoy thanks to some excellent performances from Andy Serkis and Gary Oldman.… Expand
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4
RedfordstoJul 26, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There were many compelling aspects to this movie. The interactions between the characters, their motivations and backgrounds, and the portrayal of apes as its own culture was excellent. The cgi was mostly seamless with some visuals slightly broken because there is evidently nothing real in the scene to as reference. As far as plot, it's as good as a sci-fi plot gets and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes takes the IP seriously. At the same time, much of the execution is contextually flawed. For example, the survival camp in San Francisco simply letting a national guard base and all it weapons sit nearby open to bandits or transient raiding parties until suddenly apes are an threat. That's a poor survival strategy. Another huge problem is the Ape learning curve is unrealistic. Assuming apes can fire weapons is fine. Having them assault a fortified position with those weapons and win is silly. The apes clearly charge an implacement on horseback with their fingers on the triggers. Guns run out of bullets and the apes don't reload. Even though they've never seen a cars controls, they can commandeer a tank. I like the power struggle aspect between the apes. I really liked the ploy of Koba acting playful to fool a couple of morons. But largely the battle and fall of the human was poorly executed. It could have worked well if the apes simply came down from the rooftops or infiltrated from other areas instead of a charge with guns (limitlessly) blazing. Otherwise, the movie was entertaining as a sci-fi diversion, but by no means epic or revolutionary.… Expand
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10
buttonscasperJul 6, 2015
i was mind-blown by the effects and the way they built this amazing story this is someone better than rise and the slow pace of this film adds to the drama dramatically, cant wait for number 3!!!!!!!!
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5
Th3GreenHorne7Jul 4, 2015
I don't know why I had hated this movie, but I remember seeing this one night, and also remember walking out half way through the movie because it was just too confusing to bear. Although the film had it's perks with amazing CGI and a greatI don't know why I had hated this movie, but I remember seeing this one night, and also remember walking out half way through the movie because it was just too confusing to bear. Although the film had it's perks with amazing CGI and a great cast of actors and actresses. Which is one thing I never really understood, I mean it never really explained what happened to James Franco who raised Caesar in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but the scientist in this played by Jason Clarke was bearable to watch. Overall, i'm like 40/60 with this movie.… Expand
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8
PeterAlexanderJun 10, 2015
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a vast improvement on the first instalment. The film, whilst being a visual treat and much an epic blockbuster, is extremely meaningful and engages the audience on a personal level. The audience is constantlyDawn of the Planet of the Apes is a vast improvement on the first instalment. The film, whilst being a visual treat and much an epic blockbuster, is extremely meaningful and engages the audience on a personal level. The audience is constantly forced to chose who to side with, the desperate yet perhaps cruel human beings, or the content yet highly threatened apes. What ensues is an amazing story of morals and the relationship between man and ape. The film is exciting from start to finish, beginning in stunning fashion, and ending in a conclusion of epic proportion.… Expand
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10
OptiNuzPrimeJun 5, 2015
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes takes place ten years after the first and much has changed. Caesar(played by Andy Serkis) returns as the ape leader in an even better performance than the original with the support of his returning ape friendsDawn of the Planet of the Apes takes place ten years after the first and much has changed. Caesar(played by Andy Serkis) returns as the ape leader in an even better performance than the original with the support of his returning ape friends Maurice and Koba. Caesar now has a family, including his rebellious son Blue Eyes, his wife, and newborn son. Caesar’s companion, Will Rodman(played by James Franco) has died, which introduces the new cast. Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, Gary Oldman, and many more amazing new characters that are trying to survive in the rundown city of San Francisco. The Apes are growing in numbers and strength, while the majority of humans are either dead from the simian flu or each other. Caesar is now in charge of the apes and only wants what’s best for his kind, but Koba, Caesar’s right hand man, has other ideas. When the humans and apes try to work together Koba ruins every chance for peace through violence. A war between apes and humans is inevitable and nothing can stop what is to come, not even Caesar.
This movie hits in all the right places. The visuals are astounding. The contrast from the lush green forests and the dilapidated San Francisco makes for a great setting, and the way it’s filmed cannot be understated. The way in which the intense battle sequences are filmed, set this movie apart from every other action blockbuster. In one sequence the camera is rotated an entire 360 degrees revealing the destruction of humans and apes at war, which makes for the most dramatic scene in the entire movie. The CGI integration is seamless, especially when so many apes appear at once alongside humans. The loss of James Franco doesn’t even phase this cast, every character has a purpose and it shows on-screen. The beautiful script is heard not only with the human cast, but the apes too. They speak less, but do when necessary, and it is breathtaking just as it was in the first film.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes surpasses it’s predecessor, Rise of the Planet of the Apes, in every way. The characters, the cinematography, and plot are all impressively intriguing. This is the best blockbuster of the year, and great fun for the entire family. The only downfall is that this movie isn’t an IMAX 3D Experience.… Expand
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8
homer4presidentMay 27, 2015
After the pleasant surprise that was the first film of the new Planet of the Apes series, the expectations for the sequel, or middle part of the trilogy, were somewhat bigger. Thankfully, everyone involved was fully aware of that andAfter the pleasant surprise that was the first film of the new Planet of the Apes series, the expectations for the sequel, or middle part of the trilogy, were somewhat bigger. Thankfully, everyone involved was fully aware of that and delivered another smart blockbuster with a lot of vital commentary on the futility of war and violent conflicts. The film doesn't want you to pick a side too easily as hostility between the last remaining humans on Earth and the intelligent apes arise. There are decent and bad characters on both sides. This makes for an interesting ride, as the conflict spins more and more into chaos and there is little anyone can do against it, after a point of no return. Once again, the CGI is incredible, thanks to great motion capture acting and the accompanying special effects. Thankfully, the human actors are en par, especially Gary Oldman only takes two short scenes to make a strong point for being one of the best of his generation. The gloomy atmosphere, the great cinematography, it all adds up to an intelligent and pretty damn entertaining continuation of the story. If there is one complaint it would have to be that the ending is merely a cliffhanger for what's next in part three. But at least we all have something to look forward to.… Expand
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9
chwMay 25, 2015
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes was a very good movie. It definitely dominated Rise. The direction, acting, and motion capture performances were very well done (especially the people doing motion capture performances as apes).
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9
Epik_NinnjaMay 23, 2015
This movie is so well written. It makes you hate the villain and side with the...well, they're not heroes, but you get what I'm saying. The CGI is about as good as it gets and the action is intense. The story isn't just about the apes andThis movie is so well written. It makes you hate the villain and side with the...well, they're not heroes, but you get what I'm saying. The CGI is about as good as it gets and the action is intense. The story isn't just about the apes and humans trying to coexist, it's about family, trust, forgiveness (and a lack of), and more. Even if you weren't a big fan of Rise, you should give this movie a chance. And if you haven't seen Rise, wel, you don't have to watch it first but you should.… Expand
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0
SynycomMay 19, 2015
Clearly the apes have won and are marking up this movie. An epically bad script and plot. Next we'll be making the daleks touchy feely with smiley faces full of trite human emotions. The monkeys on PG tips were far more entertaining. Avoid.
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10
SirKirbyThe4thMay 5, 2015
Such an amazing movie! If you can make monkeys on horses, guns blazing NOT funny, then you've done something right. It takes place during human extinction, wile apes & human live separately, & apes hate humans for what they've done to them.Such an amazing movie! If you can make monkeys on horses, guns blazing NOT funny, then you've done something right. It takes place during human extinction, wile apes & human live separately, & apes hate humans for what they've done to them. Its also one of the few times the sequel is better than the first, which is Rise of the...… Expand
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5
bradchengApr 28, 2015
It’s been four years since “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” director Matt Reeves last cinematic outing, “Let Me In” — an English-language remake of Swedish director Tomas Alfredson’s vampiric coming-of-age film. While there will always beIt’s been four years since “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” director Matt Reeves last cinematic outing, “Let Me In” — an English-language remake of Swedish director Tomas Alfredson’s vampiric coming-of-age film. While there will always be film aficionados who insist the original take of a film presents its truest form, I felt Reeves’ reboot wrought a more kinetic, more universal telling of the tale and that Reeves had created an instant classic of the horror genre. My respect for “Let Me In” was immense.
Unfortunately the material he’s been given to work with isn’t of the same quality as Alfredson’s wholly original horror concept or enough of a pure action-fest like “Cloverfield” to let one overlook the general mundanity of “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes'” story. How possibly mundane can a planet of talking apes be? Aside from the fact that these simians have now been performing their grunt-speak to audiences for over fifty years (Maurice Evans’ buttery, upper-class mannerisms notwithstanding — what planet was he from?), that novelty remains fairly fresh.

But it’s “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes'” screenplay that comes across as flimsy as Linda Harrison-as-Nova’s” deliciously hung rags. If one were to take away the apes as players (which would be a waste as they are miraculously rendered CGI creations), stripped of tooth and fang, “Apes” would be left with an all-too-human and all-too-cliched story.

The film revolves around the “stop the madness” efforts of a good-hearted human survivor of the simian-virus apocalypse and the now imperially seated Ceasar of 2012’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes.” These two suffer fools, villains and rebellious children as they toil haplessly to bring peace to opposite ends of an inter-species battlefield. The CGI action is exciting, but the behind-the-scenes powerplays of their shared struggle — however novel on the Darwin spectrum — feels too familiarly packaged.

The screenplay, credited to Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa and Amanda Sliver, makes the writers sound less like science fiction visionaries than a preachy team behind a Vietnam-era anti-war film. There’s a decidedly “retro” feel to the futuristic war film, with the camouflage-clad ghosts of Audie Murphy and Dennis Hopper lingering somewhere just out of sight.

The story trudges along dredging up far too many plot points from Shakespearean-aspired royal dramas; I’d recite the litany of cliches but I don’t want to spoiler-ize anyone’s fun. Gary Olman, who once shone in the sun as a lean, English mad dog, now seems comfortably settled into playing roles of the flustered heavy (and I still think he applies the same touch to his American accent.) He’s ostensibly the leader of one of the last tribes of humans, but his nervous fidgeting makes it difficult to believe he would be put in charge of much more than a AA meeting.

The cast of largely unknown actors doesn’t help either. Though capable, they never bring any real fire to the screen, although lead Jason Clarke works tirelessly at his angst. Unfortunately, the human cast is frequently emotionally upstaged by computer-generated apes, that in itself a scary accomplishment which may, indeed, portend the fall of mankind. Or at least the Actor Guild of America. On the other hand, I never know exactly what praise to lavish on human-marionette, actor Andy Serkis. Certainly dancing around in leotards glued with styrofoam balls for the roving eye of a computer to map can’t be easy, but the question is how deep does one’s Stanislavsky have to run?

But the film’s real problem is its script, and its by-the-numbers roll call of devices. Without the apes, I imagine the plethora of well-intentioned, but tired war movie cliches would have “Apes” garnering far less praise than it is receiving. And those hokey-ending lines gravely spoken by the defeated peace-makers … Where have I heard them before? “I thought we had a chance,” says Clarke. “So did I, my friend…so did I,” intones the moribund chimp. It’s almost a pity that all the battling that has come before falls into a pile with those oh-so heavy lines, which ring as outdated as a throw-away bit of hippy schtick from “Easy Rider.”

Of course, the action fans may not notice these overwrought grarnishes, as they have been rewarded earlier to a fiery finale of two foes battling it out, swinging on an exploding skyscraper, as the inevitable flames lick at their feet, er, paws. While “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” will certainly please the action crowd with the most technologically advanced simian set pieces yet, it’s ultimately a pretty routine and not terribly clever affair. Invoking the film’s catchphrase, “Ape not kill Ape,” I would proffer, “Ape not make Sequel.” Though I’m sure “the heavies” will triumph again, man.… Expand
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8
MovieManiac83Apr 23, 2015
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is not only a solid dystopian-flavored science fiction film in its own right but it elevates the stock of its immediate predecessor in the Planet of the Apes franchise, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. By addingDawn of the Planet of the Apes is not only a solid dystopian-flavored science fiction film in its own right but it elevates the stock of its immediate predecessor in the Planet of the Apes franchise, Rise of the Planet of the Apes. By adding to the ongoing storyline and propelling it forward, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes transforms the rushed ending of the 2011 film into a pause rather than an awkward stopping point. This installment inches events closer to a merge point with 1968's Planet of the Apes while maintaining its own unique identity. It is in every way superior to Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

It's refreshing to see a big-budget summer movie that's more interested in telling a story than cluttering up the screen with explosions and deadening the mind with a lobotomized spectacle. That's not to say Dawn of the Planet of the Apes lacks visual flair. In fact, it features some of the best special effects in any recent motion picture. Not for a moment will anyone doubt that the apes are real. Director Matt Reeves (Cloverfield) keeps the camera mobile but not in a way that's likely to induce motion sickness. He favors long, sweeping shots and occasionally employs atypical points-of-view. This allows Dawn of the Planet of the Apes to boast a fresh look; it doesn't feel like a clone of every other summer tent pole motion picture.

A few words must be written about Andy Serkis' contribution. The unsung actor, who has given life to such memorable characters as Gollum and King Kong, deserves a lion's share of the credit for making Ceasar the most compelling character in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Caesar is a remarkable creation - the melding of human acting and computer generated imagery. It's noteworthy that this iteration of the character has emerged from the long shadow cast by Roddy McDowell, who played Caesar in two of the early 1970s Planet of the Apes movies (Conquest and Battle). One can argue whether Serkis is deserving of a Best Actor nomination for his work here but his overall importance to genre films since the turn of the century is undeniable and some kind of special Oscar is unquestionably deserved.

People don't make their first appearance in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes until 15 minutes have elapsed. The film's early scenes focus on establishing the ape characters and their society. In addition to Caesar, key simian players include Maurice the orangutan; Caesar's grown son, Blue Eyes; and the embittered Koba. The humans are represented by Malcolm and his compatriots: Ellie (Keri Russell), Alexander (Kodi Smit-McPhee), and Carver (Kirk Acevedo). The filmmakers cannily give each human a scene designed to provide depth and breadth to an initially one-dimensional character. With Oldman's Dreyfus, for example, there's a poignant moment in which his computer returns to life for the first time since the apocalypse and he's able to view photographs of his dead family.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes contains action - there is a lengthy battle sequence that absorbs about 20% of the running time - but this is more about world building and storytelling than it is about mixing adrenaline and testosterone cocktails. Especially during the first hour, the movie takes its time. It doesn't rush headlong into the central conflict. This chapter ends on a satisfying (if downbeat) note that promises another sequel. Perhaps most importantly, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes becomes the first Planet of the Apes movie made in the last 45 years to merit mention alongside the original in terms of storytelling aptitude and big screen prowess.… Expand
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9
TheQuietGamerApr 10, 2015
The origin story continues to progress. The balance of relative peace between apes and humans balances on the edge of a knife. Things like political maneuvers show us just how much these apes have grown in intelligence.

The film doesn'tThe origin story continues to progress. The balance of relative peace between apes and humans balances on the edge of a knife. Things like political maneuvers show us just how much these apes have grown in intelligence.

The film doesn't shy away from it's moral center. This time around the apes aren't completely victims. Caesar is coming to the realization that the apes are no longer that different from the humans they once fought. There is some truly powerful stuff going on here.

The origin of the new Planet of the Ape series continues to show brilliance. This time the human performances are all up to the task. The motion capture is just as fantastic as ever. The apes still look like animals with human intelligence. The future of the series looks bright.

"Dawn" is a powerful movie. One with enough action and heart to enchant all audiences. The beauty and horror of it's post-apocalyptic needs to be seen.

I give "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" a 9.8/10.… Expand
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8
Jack_SunshineApr 6, 2015
This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. As an unashamed fan of the original Planet of the Apes films (which I once picked up for under a fiver), I am more than happy to enjoy this Sequel to the Reboot of the Remake of the Planet of the Apes. What’s been delivered is another entertaining film; almost, but not quite the equal of its predecessor, with a decent story and characters, and special effects at the top of their game.

An expedition of humans has ventured deep into ape territory with the intention of restarting a hydroelectric dam to restore power to the ruins of San Francisco. With a deep mistrust of humans at the very core of ape doctrine, the plan becomes a tense diplomatic mission as the humans and apes negotiate to avoid another brutal conflict and needless loss of life.

Caesar is played by master of motion capture Andy Serkis and amazingly, the motion capture was largely filmed on location in the forests of Vancouver, the CGI seamlessly integrated with live action. As a character, Caesar is rare among apes in that he was raised by a human and can see the good in them.

Our human hero is Malcolm (Jason Clarke), a survivalist and engineer, who is in charge of the expedition, but is not much of a leader. Neither is he a diplomat, but he is level headed enough to develop a relationship with Caesar, with whom they share a common goal which transcends the interspecies squabble – each has a family they would do anything to protect.

The real leader of the humans is back in San Francisco: the militaristic but pragmatic Dreyfus (Gary Oldman) who has already lost his family (he swipes through their pictures on a prominently placed iPad – in shops now!) and has little desire to understand or relate to the apes.

The previous director Rupert Wyatt is replaced here by Matt Reeves, who gave us found footage monster movie Cloverfield, where the tantalising excitement of citywide destruction just off-screen was undermined by the idiotic decisions made by the protagonists. There are shades of this frustrating characterisation here with one member of Malcolm’s team, Carver.

He is nothing more than a catalyst; right from the opening scene, where he shoots first and thinks later, wounding Caesar’s son Blue Eyes in the process, everything about him screams “I’m the **** who’s constantly going to jeopardise this fragile diplomacy” – which is barely saved from the brink of collapse more than once before the inevitable final showdown.

Koba fills this role for the apes, but he is a stronger character and an established personal rival of Caesar, who tries to corrupt the younger apes, including Cesar’s impressionable young son Blue Eyes.

We also remember the dramatic “No!” – The first words spoken by an ape in both Conquest and Rise, when Caesar flexes his vocal chords to deliver an ultimatum to the humans, but the apes here tend to converse in sign language amongst themselves. Perhaps they see spoken language as a hallmark of humanity, but they prefer to save their English skills to dramatically intimidate humans, reminding them that they share a level of intelligence which apes may even have surpassed with their sense of community. While the apes have built a new society from the ground up, the surviving humans continue to scavenge in the ruins of their decaying civilisation, relying on old technology.

There’s a great scene about halfway through the film. Power is restored to an old petrol station in the woods, and as it flickers into life a song plays from a stereo: The Weight by The Band, a song which is both religious allegory and an exploration of the music which flows from the American South. Its thematic relevance extends to include references to Judgement Day and the American civil rights movement.

Hearing recorded music and seeing artificial light, symbolic of humanity’s legacy, offers a spot of hope, which is inevitably undercut by the melancholy of the world lost and the inevitability of an impending finale, which I’m going to talk about now, so stop reading to avoid spoilers. Hey, I’ve already told you that they managed to get the power back on so Gary Oldman can charge his iPad.

The audience wants a fight, we’ve paid to see apes with machine guns, and a fight is what we get, courtesy of the hot headed Koba and unrelenting Dreyfus. Lamentably although hell inevitably breaks loose, credibility is stretched. The previously pacifist apes are far too good at using the machine guns they have only recently stolen from the humans.

We know the apes have both intelligence and physical strength on their side, but it’s hard to explain hold their own so well against the trained human guards. Ultimately, they overwhelm the humans with sheer numbers, when they might have concocted a strategic assault using some kind of unique and established ape advantage, such as their non verbal communication, or climbing ability.… Expand
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9
CherryxldMar 30, 2015
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes es una película bastante impresionante que se rige por buenos efectos visuales y una buena trama.

Esta película es bastante increíble en el aspecto visual, debido a la forma tan realista de los monos queDawn of the Planet of the Apes es una película bastante impresionante que se rige por buenos efectos visuales y una buena trama.

Esta película es bastante increíble en el aspecto visual, debido a la forma tan realista de los monos que protagonizan el film y que invaden esta historia de guerra bien diseñada y que da aspectos, digamos, reflexivos con respecto a la situación ambiental de hoy en día. Además, es también bastante fuerte la encarnación de Andy Serkis como el poderoso Cesar, que protagoniza este largometraje que logra ser grande y totalmente funcional dando toques de acción, drama y momentos de tensión en su potente y apocalíptica atmósfera.… Expand
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10
MrMovieBuffMar 20, 2015
It's apes, riding on horses...and firing machine guns. Do I need to elaborate on this? This movie is awesome! Andy Serkis needs an Oscar and this is the most intelligent summer blockbuster of 2014!

Great action movie and great in-depthIt's apes, riding on horses...and firing machine guns. Do I need to elaborate on this? This movie is awesome! Andy Serkis needs an Oscar and this is the most intelligent summer blockbuster of 2014!

Great action movie and great in-depth story.

Apes, together...STRONG!… Expand
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8
NoioonFeb 24, 2015
The only thing I didn't like in this movie is how everything goes wrong almost 100% of the time. I feel like it's an overused cheesy storytelling device where everything is going along just fine, then hey someone forgot to do this, or someoneThe only thing I didn't like in this movie is how everything goes wrong almost 100% of the time. I feel like it's an overused cheesy storytelling device where everything is going along just fine, then hey someone forgot to do this, or someone didn't do that. Of course in order to have a story you need conflict, but please... give me a good solid reason for that conflict to exist. One plot convenience is fine, but this movie was kinda rife with them. Still loved it 8/10… Expand
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9
thurm33Feb 20, 2015
This is an entertaining movie that brings a bit of Shakespearean drama to the science fiction world in the relationships that exist on both sides and between the two, and the tension throughout is palpable. It does a good job in picking upThis is an entertaining movie that brings a bit of Shakespearean drama to the science fiction world in the relationships that exist on both sides and between the two, and the tension throughout is palpable. It does a good job in picking up from the previous movie and sets itself up for the next movie. This movie should appeal to except maybe for those who cannot get passed the idea of apes talking, which is a shame. This series seems to be picking up a good following and justifiably so.… Expand
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9
baldwincollinsFeb 10, 2015
I was very disappointed in this movie, reason's being the producer's jump start this second installment
story away from 'rise of the planet of the apes' which starred james franco.
this film see's caeser played by andy sekis, is forcedI was very disappointed in this movie, reason's being the producer's jump start this second installment
story away from 'rise of the planet of the apes' which starred james franco.
this film see's caeser played by andy sekis, is forced to defend his family and fellow apes.
which seem's to me could of been a screen-play for the third installment film. however don't get me
wrong it still turned out to be a great summer film. great performance by veteran star gary oldman… Expand
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9
SuperficialityFeb 7, 2015
Initially, for the first half hour into the movie I was like "What on earth am I watching? An ape documentary?" I was caught off guard when everything started to happen so quickly. and the blood started to spill. Very intense movie, can'tInitially, for the first half hour into the movie I was like "What on earth am I watching? An ape documentary?" I was caught off guard when everything started to happen so quickly. and the blood started to spill. Very intense movie, can't wait for the next sequel.… Expand
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10
YourOtherMotherFeb 1, 2015
Great film. Brilliant effects and very believable. I can't really think of anything bad about this film. It was very good and entertaining. Watch it if you can.
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3
ezayJan 26, 2015
I cannot believe this got so well noted. The movie is a compilation of the genre's cliches: the **** that behaves like an **** because he is an **** I mean come on, shooting the ape, then hiding the shotgun+almost kicking baby ape. This isI cannot believe this got so well noted. The movie is a compilation of the genre's cliches: the **** that behaves like an **** because he is an **** I mean come on, shooting the ape, then hiding the shotgun+almost kicking baby ape. This is poorly written, instead of trying to find a believable story where apes/humans actually try to trust each other but fail, let's just create an **** character that behaves with no logic at all.

I had to stop mid movie because the ropes were too big. It felt like a 1995 movie, where you can tell what's going to happen 20 minutes before it does. Not fun, boring, uncreative. This movie is a shame for its writters.… Expand
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8
Jes1310Jan 26, 2015
Great film. The first of the new series was utterly surprising in a good way. I did´nt know what to expect. The second i knew what to expect, and I was very happy when I left the Cinema. Good story, acting usefull, effects great and overallGreat film. The first of the new series was utterly surprising in a good way. I did´nt know what to expect. The second i knew what to expect, and I was very happy when I left the Cinema. Good story, acting usefull, effects great and overall just plain good entertainment.… Expand
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10
veyron2222Jan 23, 2015
the storyline was amazing, can't think of another word to describe it. i enjoyed every second of this movie, if its the story, or the actors, even the effects was detailed much more then most people will notice.
i can't think of one badthe storyline was amazing, can't think of another word to describe it. i enjoyed every second of this movie, if its the story, or the actors, even the effects was detailed much more then most people will notice.
i can't think of one bad thing to say about this movie.
if you watched the first movie this one is a must watch… Expand
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8
fracko333Jan 23, 2015
A sequel that is without a doubt better than its predecessor, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes proves to be the more mature of the two films. The tension between apes and humans is at its peak, even so, the desire to re-estabilish a unity isA sequel that is without a doubt better than its predecessor, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes proves to be the more mature of the two films. The tension between apes and humans is at its peak, even so, the desire to re-estabilish a unity is present in members of both nations, whilst others are ready to engage in an all-out-war. The result is an action-packed sci-fi delight, with a humanistic conflict at its heart, albeit the emotive themes are fairly cliché and the movie is predictable at times.… Expand
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7
AkashVijayJan 19, 2015
Dawn of the Planet of the apes explores the similarities and differences between apes and humans and of their perceptions of the world and their dissimilar ideas of family. Although it does succeed overall, it needlessly suffers from a coupleDawn of the Planet of the apes explores the similarities and differences between apes and humans and of their perceptions of the world and their dissimilar ideas of family. Although it does succeed overall, it needlessly suffers from a couple of cringe-worthy moments and cliched sub-plots. There are a few unnecessary characters which could have easily been cut out from the entire movie in order to have a more compact narrative.
But I have to compliment the audacity shown by director Matt Reeves. He feels no shame or discomfort in telling a story with talking apes riding horses. He has put his heart and soul into the picture (as has everyone) and you have to admire that attitude. He's not crafted just an entertaining blockbuster, but rather a very intimate and intelligent film, clearly inspired by Shakespeare's Henry V, that manages to touch on deep fears, traumas, fantasies and hopes. It's flawed but it works.… Expand
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3
IxnatifualJan 19, 2015
If you like one-dimensional characters that predictably propel the plot through its inevitably cliched hoops in embarrassing ways, this movie is for you. Mindless assembly line Hollywood production in its purest form. Also, computer apes withIf you like one-dimensional characters that predictably propel the plot through its inevitably cliched hoops in embarrassing ways, this movie is for you. Mindless assembly line Hollywood production in its purest form. Also, computer apes with faces of permanent emotion. Perhaps they knew that if they looked happy during the making of this film, it would count as a lie and Jason Clark would have to hurt them. Oooook!… Expand
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9
googolendtimesJan 17, 2015
"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" - the sequel to "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" - more than capitalises on the promise of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", delivering a captivating and electrifying sci-fi whirlwind of ambition, action,"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" - the sequel to "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" - more than capitalises on the promise of "Rise of the Planet of the Apes", delivering a captivating and electrifying sci-fi whirlwind of ambition, action, intellect and heart. The cinematography, editing, visual effects, directing match and exceed the high standards set by its predecessor, but what truly sets "Dawn" apart from others of its ilk is the surprising depth of thought and feeling that belies and bolsters its dazzling spectacle. The thematic foundations that were laid in "Rise" are built upon here and then some. What that film started to explore - human nature and animal instinct and how frighteningly closely those two things intersect - is looked at more in-depth and given a heightened sense of urgency in Dawn of the Planet of the Ape's post-apocalyptic context. Films like "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" gives the blockbuster genre a credibility that it is losing and shows you do not have to sacrifice a heart, a soul, a brain for a large budget - and they can be as big as each other. This is a franchise still alive, kicking and thumping its chest.… Expand
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10
adronator98Jan 11, 2015
Absolutely the best movie of 2014. The CGI effects were unbelievable and Andi Serkis is able to act incredibly as Caeser. Acting is also top-notch and the story fits in well with both the prequel and the original films. Don't put off seeingAbsolutely the best movie of 2014. The CGI effects were unbelievable and Andi Serkis is able to act incredibly as Caeser. Acting is also top-notch and the story fits in well with both the prequel and the original films. Don't put off seeing this movie because the concept might sound 'silly' or if you are a Religious nut, because missing out on a film this great is just insulting.… Expand
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7
Trev29Jan 11, 2015
This marks another really solid entry into this revamped franchise. Visually it is amazing, and there is actually some depth to it. It will be interesting to see where the next one will pick up.
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6
TheApplegnomeJan 11, 2015
This sequel is less impressive than its predecessor. There’s much events that can be predictable, much slow action sequences and the characters are mostly terrible.

The main issue I have with this movie is that there’s no clear mainThis sequel is less impressive than its predecessor. There’s much events that can be predictable, much slow action sequences and the characters are mostly terrible.

The main issue I have with this movie is that there’s no clear main character, the movie kept changing focus, and I guess that’s the point but it feels stupid. There’s also too much focus on the apes and too little on the humans, it’s understandable but I want more focus on the humans. More on the characters: there’s no chemistry between them and it feels dumb and awful. Another flaw is that I could predict almost every main plot detail in the movie, much more than in Rise of The Planet of The Apes. I also expected a greater soundtrack from Michael Giacchino, who gave us the awesome soundtrack in “Star Trek” (2009) and the TV-show “Fringe”. The action is just as the soundtrack: less impressive and less unique. The movie does in fact have some great moments, it do raise even more ethical questions than the previous movie. It also does a great job when it comes to illustrate what no knowledge results into. The movie is also emotional powerful, and the CGI is spectacular. It’s much clearer and detailed than in the previous movie. Not flawless though.

The opening scene is exiting and the first act is totally superior over the second and the third. They are predictable, slow and less entertaining. The ending however, could have played out much better. The previous movie was much about science; this however got a more basic tone about survival and coexistence. It’s too boring for my taste.

Dawn of The Planet of The Apes gets a 6.8/10.… Expand
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8
docsavageJan 10, 2015
Great movie, easily the very best of the Planet of the Apes series. All the characters were believable, probably more so the apes, with beautifully rendered facial expressions and emotions. A fantastically impressive surprise!
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7
oDjentoJan 4, 2015
I don't think i found this movie as great as most people did. Andy Serkis is amazing as usual at his Mo-Cap and plays Ceasar flawlessly. The visual effects are also amazing! However the film feels a bit over long and the story is good,I don't think i found this movie as great as most people did. Andy Serkis is amazing as usual at his Mo-Cap and plays Ceasar flawlessly. The visual effects are also amazing! However the film feels a bit over long and the story is good, however it is predictable. The human roles are played well but not that amazingly. The symbolism is pretty obvious but good and cinematography is pretty decent. However nothing seems really atand outish other than Serkis.… Expand
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10
BlaKDemonaZJan 3, 2015
Sou um pouco suspeito para escrever sobre, pois sou muito fã de toda a série de filmes do Planeta dos Macacos. Acho essa nova série muito boa, na verdade, supera a original!! Esse segundo filme eleva ainda mais o nível da série e deixa aSou um pouco suspeito para escrever sobre, pois sou muito fã de toda a série de filmes do Planeta dos Macacos. Acho essa nova série muito boa, na verdade, supera a original!! Esse segundo filme eleva ainda mais o nível da série e deixa a expectativa lá em cima para a parte 3. Esperando ansioso.… Expand
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7
BrettBGowenDec 27, 2014
I just recently watched this movie without any pre-made judgements or expectations, because I did not know what kind of reviews/ratings it had gotten. And I was pleasantly surprised.

I felt somewhat neutral towards the first movie of thisI just recently watched this movie without any pre-made judgements or expectations, because I did not know what kind of reviews/ratings it had gotten. And I was pleasantly surprised.

I felt somewhat neutral towards the first movie of this reboot of the "Apes" franchise, but I did enjoy it. And this second movie blew the first one out of the water.

At first, I thought the focus on mainly the apes was kind of stupid, but as the film progressed, I became attached to these computer-generated beings on screen. The acting of the human characters, as well as the acting of the people used to make the CGI apes was superb and realistic. For real, Andy Serkis could win an Oscar for his performance as Caesar.

I was full invested in Caesar and Koba's stories. If a film can make me care that much about computer-generated monkeys, it's done its job well. The action kept moving along and kept me lured in. You fully understand each character, human and ape, and their motivations for their actions.

Although I thoroughly enjoy action films, this is not the type of movie that I would purchase after seeing for the fist time. But if this is your type of film, buy it on Blu-Ray. The CGI is absolutely stunning.… Expand
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8
JohnKristoferDec 21, 2014
Apes are taking over the world! The Movie is magnificent with fantastic actors and loveable human and ape characters.The Movie deserves a high score with outstanding visual effects,story and outstanding performance of the actors.
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8
callumjsouthDec 14, 2014
It's a brilliant achievement. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes manages to create anticipation very early on, within a story that is so emotionally satisfying we can't help but feel that urge to cry. The action sequences are exponentiallyIt's a brilliant achievement. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes manages to create anticipation very early on, within a story that is so emotionally satisfying we can't help but feel that urge to cry. The action sequences are exponentially caught, the characters involved draw admiration on all levels, and the ending is one that is extensively heartfelt. The music grips you and makes you care even more about Caesar's, and Maurice's fate. Where it really thrives though, is on the emotional level. You don't know who you should root for, to the point where even as the viewer, you want peace over war. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a great film. It is an emotional roller coaster that plays on the heartstrings through uncertain fates and the viewer's own, uncertain allegiance.… Expand
1 of 3 users found this helpful12
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8
StevesitzDec 9, 2014
THIS is what the remakes should have been from the start! It brings a very dark and post-apocalypse vibe that recent movies have gotten us used to with the real struggle that the original film series brought us. The action is great, the CGTHIS is what the remakes should have been from the start! It brings a very dark and post-apocalypse vibe that recent movies have gotten us used to with the real struggle that the original film series brought us. The action is great, the CG is looks pretty good and the story is great enough to keep everyone on edge. A huge plus is that you really wouldn't have had to of seen the previous films to enjoy this one since there aren't too many references to them or their characters. Easily worth the time and price of renting!… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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6
jwarkDec 7, 2014
On the verge of being a cash grab. It was pretty uninspired compared to it's predecessors. I feel like I'm over rating it giving it a 6. It's only because I'm such a huge fan of the story that I gave it a 6. I really hope this downward trendOn the verge of being a cash grab. It was pretty uninspired compared to it's predecessors. I feel like I'm over rating it giving it a 6. It's only because I'm such a huge fan of the story that I gave it a 6. I really hope this downward trend in quality doesn't continue.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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10
Movi3R3vi3werNov 27, 2014
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes does what The Dark Knight to Batman Begins, it improves upon the first on every single way possible and even surpassed my expectations. This is one of the best movies of 2014.
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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9
vikesh2206Nov 21, 2014
Intelligent and provocative in all the right ways, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes expands on its remarkable predecessor with dynamic motion capture, well realized ape character arcs and a blatant and bleak social message.
3 of 5 users found this helpful32
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8
fusion_13Nov 17, 2014
I enjoyed watching every bit of it. Awesome action sequences, especially when the apes attacked San Francisco at night, had great intense moments and top notch CGI.
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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8
DCEdmondsNov 13, 2014
"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" 10 Scale Rating: 8.5 (Fantastic) ...

The Good: While they are very different films, the sequel transitions flawlessly from the first and fits into the franchise perfectly. You get so used to the apes, that"Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" 10 Scale Rating: 8.5 (Fantastic) ...

The Good: While they are very different films, the sequel transitions flawlessly from the first and fits into the franchise perfectly. You get so used to the apes, that you forget that they are created with special effects. That is the mark of truly fantastic work and you can't help but be impressed. In films like this, it is easy for the human actors to fall to the wayside, but that does not happen here .. at least not with the leads. Jason Clarke's Malcolm believably connects with Caesar and forms a bond that I feared would not be achievable. It's a shame that Serkis won't get award consideration due to being a motion capture actor. He deserves it. The battles were intense and the film does a great job causing you to wonder if your favorite characters will live or die. Lastly, the film is very poignant and provides excellent social commentary without cramming it down your throat. A worthy successor, which is hard to come by these days.

The Bad: I gotta admit it ... scenes of monkeys, riding horses, wielding machine guns, and leaping through fire were among the more ridiculous scenes that I have ever seen. They were during some very serious moments, and I couldn't help but laugh at them. Some of the supporting cast was pretty cliche and forgettable. They also weren't well characterized and I didn't even see what happened to a few of them.… Expand
2 of 3 users found this helpful21
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8
ydnar4Nov 11, 2014
I was pretty excited for the second installment in this series. I thought Rise of the Planet of the Apes was a great film and I was looking forward to the follow up. I thought the movie was a little slow to pick up but as soon as it did itI was pretty excited for the second installment in this series. I thought Rise of the Planet of the Apes was a great film and I was looking forward to the follow up. I thought the movie was a little slow to pick up but as soon as it did it was impressive. Both the main ape characters Caesar and Koba (played by Andy Serkis and Toby Kebbell respectfully) were great. I really enjoyed their intensity. The only complaint I have is that I would have liked to have seen more from Gary Oldman. It looks like he was going to have a bigger role in the film than he really did. This installment is just as good if not better than any of the Planet of the Ape films. I can't tell if I like it better than Rise of the Planet of the Apes or not. I'm expecting the next movie to be the final one, but I'll be excited to see it.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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9
TheFilmFanaticNov 2, 2014
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes proves that a film can have sublime special effects with a multi-layered story filled with strong themes of politics, trust, betrayal and leadership. Caesar and his apes are intellectually stimulating andDawn of the Planet of the Apes proves that a film can have sublime special effects with a multi-layered story filled with strong themes of politics, trust, betrayal and leadership. Caesar and his apes are intellectually stimulating and complex characters that show that humans do not need to be the focus in order to draw empathy from the audience. This intelligent war movie is a full-on dramatic epic that never cease to thrill.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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6
csw12Oct 31, 2014
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is carried by one man (or ape) of the name Andy Serkis with a few decent tense scenes that grab your attention. Other than that, I simply didn't find the film interesting with a slow pace and an ending thatDawn of the Planet of the Apes is carried by one man (or ape) of the name Andy Serkis with a few decent tense scenes that grab your attention. Other than that, I simply didn't find the film interesting with a slow pace and an ending that needed some help.… Expand
0 of 1 users found this helpful01
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3
WatchMyShortzOct 28, 2014
How has this film gotten so many good reviews? All of you people in the user reviews giving this film a full 10/10 need to grow and pair of balls and stop recommending this **** As a long-term planet of the apes fan who expected nothing lessHow has this film gotten so many good reviews? All of you people in the user reviews giving this film a full 10/10 need to grow and pair of balls and stop recommending this **** As a long-term planet of the apes fan who expected nothing less than pure awesome from this film considering its source material, I believe this to be one of the worst films this year. I am shocked by the amount of people who outright ignore the piss-poor effort that had been poured into this blatant cash in. How anyone can be so blind and not see all of the incredibly obvious problems with this film baffles me. So, here we go. The writers and director both need a good slap in the face for the ****ty crap that they were bothered to deliver. The dialogue is cringeworthy, both for the apes and the humans. What's more, I remembered none of the characters names (besides Caesar from Rise) after the film, I don't even think they even mentioned half of their names, and all of them have cardboard personalities. Characters do the stupidest things and do 180 personality switches constantly. I sympathised with none of the characters, and you know you're watching crap when you hate every nameless **** the writers came up with in their film. On top of that, it's soooo **** boring. I can only name a handful of films I have actually fallen asleep in and this film is one of them. Sure, the first 15 minutes are pretty engaging and the battle is mildly entertaining but who wants to sit through an hours worth of boring **** to get there. Finally, and this is what pretty much ruins the film for me, the story is **** retarded. I challenge you to sum up the plot of this film briefly without sounding like the biggest **** mongoloid. All of the other Planet of the Apes films have plots that are easy to sum up but you're gonna be sat there talking for a while trying to easily explain what the **** is going on in this film. To simplify my opinion of the story, it has no proper beginning and no proper ending, brings nothing worthwhile to the franchise and sequel baits so **** hard, it pisses me off. So to sum up, the writing is terrible, the characters are completely unlikeable (therefore there is no emotion in this ****fest) and the story is retarded. If you're happy watching poorly-paced, self-indulged dribble then it rarely gets better than this. I gave this a 3/10 because that's the score I'd honestly give this film as opposed to a dishonest outright 0/10. It gets no lower because the special effects were convincing and I love this franchise, but I lost a lot of respect for it because of this film. And soon enough, we'll probably be seeing trailers for 'War of the Planet of the Apes' or whatever they decide to call it, but so help me god if they **** it up like they ****ed up this film...… Expand
0 of 3 users found this helpful03
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8
kamgeforceOct 27, 2014
One of the best movies of 2014 and definitely the best block buster. Unlike most of the franchises new PotA isnt worse than the first one. On the contrary, there is even more action, the cgi got better too and Ceaser(Andy Serkis) has moreOne of the best movies of 2014 and definitely the best block buster. Unlike most of the franchises new PotA isnt worse than the first one. On the contrary, there is even more action, the cgi got better too and Ceaser(Andy Serkis) has more charisma than 99% of human lead roles. What I very appreciate is the lack of human factor. Unlike Trasnformers for example, where we listen all the time how much they love each others bla bla bla when all we came to see are giant robots, You wanna see super intelligent apes kicking some ass and you will. Already looking forward to next Planet of the Apes movie.… Expand
0 of 2 users found this helpful02
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9
RainwholeOct 20, 2014
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes falters just inches from perfection, mainly because it's somewhat predictable and convenient at times.

Yet, to make things simple. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is not only a fantastic movie filled withDawn of the Planet of the Apes falters just inches from perfection, mainly because it's somewhat predictable and convenient at times.

Yet, to make things simple. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is not only a fantastic movie filled with great action and emotion. It's also responsible for giving us a powerful sci-fi character to go side by side with the greatest in history like Darth Vader and Spock. That character is Caesar, who was already great in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, however in this movie we see his new phase in the evolution. We get to see what is in my opinion the most compelling character in a sci-fi int he past decade develop himself as a leader.

On top of that, we also get Koba, another fantastic ape that you're bound to keep in your mind for years to come.

Finally, I was super happy and surprise with how solid the human side of the story is. The movie never forgets that is about the apes, but it still manages to give us an interesting and well developed human story on the side.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is FANTASTIC.… Expand
1 of 2 users found this helpful11
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