Read Mixed User Reviews for Rise of the Planet of the Apes

6

grandpajoe6191Sep 10, 2011

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is a good movie; it delivers the ending that creates a bridge to the 1970's "Planet of the Apes" using great CGI and Andy Serkis' powerful performance. However, like "X men: First Class", the movie precedes"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is a good movie; it delivers the ending that creates a bridge to the 1970's "Planet of the Apes" using great CGI and Andy Serkis' powerful performance. However, like "X men: First Class", the movie precedes with a linear story that concentrates on heavy action clashed by two seperate sides (In this case, human v.s apes).… Expand

4 of 5 users found this helpful41

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5

BKMFeb 4, 2012

The visual effects are superb and Serkis' performance as Caesar is terrific, but the film is too one dimensional and simple minded to be truly engaging. None of the humans in the film are particularly interesting or complex so you findThe visual effects are superb and Serkis' performance as Caesar is terrific, but the film is too one dimensional and simple minded to be truly engaging. None of the humans in the film are particularly interesting or complex so you find yourself rooting for the apes to do their thing which doesn't take place until the final act. Most perplexing is why Franco chose this film as a follow up to 127 hours. He basically serves as a piece of human scenery.… Expand

3 of 4 users found this helpful31

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5

BikerjamesAug 8, 2011

In the end, this film was too predictable and preposterous. There are a lot of eye rolling moments, such as the humans are all stupid, the corporation greedy at all costs, the animal shelter that abuses animals, shooting lots of apes withIn the end, this film was too predictable and preposterous. There are a lot of eye rolling moments, such as the humans are all stupid, the corporation greedy at all costs, the animal shelter that abuses animals, shooting lots of apes with machine guns at close range never hitting any, an army of apes that appear apparently from nowhere, etc. etc. The film has nothing original to offer at all and is a conglomeration of many other films. If you're young and haven't seen as many movies as I have you will enjoy it a lot more than I did. The CGI and special effects are very good and there is no slow parts so it did hold my attention. Not a bad movie but made more for the action than the plausibility.… Expand

7 of 18 users found this helpful711

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5

Robbo-the-YobboAug 13, 2011

Another summer film that despite (or more likely, because of) massive CGI inspires shrugged shoulders. As it was, the CGI in this one was not quite good enough to allow one to forget it was there. I don't mind suspending disbelief if a filmAnother summer film that despite (or more likely, because of) massive CGI inspires shrugged shoulders. As it was, the CGI in this one was not quite good enough to allow one to forget it was there. I don't mind suspending disbelief if a film gives me a reason to, but this one doesn't. There are some gripping sequences, I admit, but they aren't in the service of anything larger. And frankly, I don't think PotA is a great series to mine for remakes. The originals weren't that good, and they only became iconic because Charleton Heston was the worlds biggest canned ham. We were laughing at those films, not loving them.… Expand

1 of 4 users found this helpful13

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5

CarolineSimmonsAug 11, 2011

Really? Rise of the Planet of the Apes. It is "Rise of the Planet of special effects". This movie is nothing more than an acceptable form of a fantasy movie. The official trailer was emotional and attention-grabbing, but the movie is notReally? Rise of the Planet of the Apes. It is "Rise of the Planet of special effects". This movie is nothing more than an acceptable form of a fantasy movie. The official trailer was emotional and attention-grabbing, but the movie is not just good enough.… Expand

1 of 7 users found this helpful16

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4

smijatovDec 1, 2011

While "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is definitely entertaining for its hour and a half, it is far from a good film. The idea of the film is good - to give us a prelude to the story we all know rather well for over 3 decades now. In filmsWhile "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is definitely entertaining for its hour and a half, it is far from a good film. The idea of the film is good - to give us a prelude to the story we all know rather well for over 3 decades now. In films like this one expects a lot of visual effects, dumb plot and paper-thin dialogue. For a change, this is different. The dialogue is not as bad as it could have been, which goes to the credit of the writers. That being said, it is not good either. The direction of the film is absolutely horrible, and Wyatt is obviously a rookie who should not have been given the lead with this. My biggest issue in the film was the straight-out ridiculous portrayal of the monkeys, especially Caesar. While he is supposed to be highly intelligent and human-like, the director has taken it a bit too far, that it becomes almost a mockery and, in a strange way, insulting to monkeys. Yes, I cannot believe I am writing this either, but I felt as if it was not a positive portrayal - not that it was meant to be anyway. Nonetheless, it made me rather uncomfortable and it's not because of the prospect of a monkey-led apocalypse. The acting is mediocre, despite the rather decent cast. The visual effects are good enough, and the monkeys are extremely credible. I am excited to see what will happen with the franchise, but I do hope that the director will change. It has set a decent standard for the next film, which can only help the sequel, since this film wasn't too bad, but it shouldn't be too hard to make a better follow up one. Let's see what happens!… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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6

mrkobayashiAug 7, 2011

Actually not bad. Doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is - a sci-fi thriller with little resemblance to the real world. On that count it succeeds. I genuinely felt for Caesar, the head-ape, and that's testament to the motion captureActually not bad. Doesn't pretend to be anything more than it is - a sci-fi thriller with little resemblance to the real world. On that count it succeeds. I genuinely felt for Caesar, the head-ape, and that's testament to the motion capture acting and CGI . I was rooting for the apes the whole way through and in that sense its a little like watching a football match. Apes Vs Humans. You want to see your side fight with some heart, play to the whistle and come out on top, knowing that victory will be so sweet. But the thrill of the competition fades soon enough, at which point your attention turns to more important matters. Enjoyable enough, despite the cardboard acting of James Franco. Only downside is now I want a chimpanzee.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

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6

jeremypAug 7, 2011

An ultimately entertaining, if ludicrous, movie. It improves as the apes get smarter, because the humans seem like such dimwits. Much has been made of the CGI ape(s) and Sertis' role is immeasurable to making this work, but there is a majorAn ultimately entertaining, if ludicrous, movie. It improves as the apes get smarter, because the humans seem like such dimwits. Much has been made of the CGI ape(s) and Sertis' role is immeasurable to making this work, but there is a major if unavoidable flaw and that is that the CGI ape is a human acting like an ape, which means we see human expressions and mannerisms. Just because an ape gets smarter does not mean it automatically takes on human gestures. That would take a huge evolutionary span. As great as the CGI is it's presence too often means that the intelligence of the movie suffers, and in the end we get a CGI spectacle but poor writing, plotting, and illogical presentation.… Expand

0 of 3 users found this helpful03

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6

TVJerryAug 7, 2011

This prequel explains how the apes took over the earth, setting the stage for the original 1968 film. James Franco stars as a scientist testing a miracle cure on chimps until bad luck and mean humans upset everything. The plot is interestingThis prequel explains how the apes took over the earth, setting the stage for the original 1968 film. James Franco stars as a scientist testing a miracle cure on chimps until bad luck and mean humans upset everything. The plot is interesting and well told until the less-than-spectacular revolt. Disappointingly, the CGI apes are never convincing and that prevents full enjoyment.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

nutcrackrAug 13, 2011

This origin story is bereft of character, soul and reasoning. Full of trite, fake and all too perfect moments. Years pass in seconds presumably because they couldn't figure out what to write. There is no substance to the characters whileThis origin story is bereft of character, soul and reasoning. Full of trite, fake and all too perfect moments. Years pass in seconds presumably because they couldn't figure out what to write. There is no substance to the characters while others are cliches or complete waste of acting skill. Perhaps slightly better than Marky Mark's Ape escapade, but that is not saying much.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

Krunk2Aug 5, 2011

Let me start out my ranting by saying I went into this movie expecting content overall content similar to that in the admittedly awesome trailer, and yes it does contain a few cool action scenes as most summer blockbusters do. HOWEVER THIS ISLet me start out my ranting by saying I went into this movie expecting content overall content similar to that in the admittedly awesome trailer, and yes it does contain a few cool action scenes as most summer blockbusters do. HOWEVER THIS IS NOT THE MAJORITY OF THE MOVIE!!! out of close to two hours of screen time around eighty-five percent is dedicated to nothing more than some VERY SLOW moving drama. Not that I have anything against slow moving drama movies, as I enjoyed Pulp Fiction and The Tree Of Life, but if you are going to tackle drama you had at least better make it interesting. Save for a few key scenes, most of the movie feels predictable and uninspired, as in nothing really catches your interest until a certain series trademark line is dropped to briefly pull you back in and lose interest within a few seconds. As with the movie, the ending is shockingly lame and baits you toward a inevitable sequel that you would rather spend your money on. To me, the movie felt rushed and unpolished, falling into that yet-another-unremarkable-series-installment-that-began-with-a-classic movie cliche. The trailer and potential for this movie raise expectations that it doesn't quite live up to. In short: Has a couple cool action scenes, lots of references to past movies fans will enjoy, and remarkable CGI apes done by the same actor who did Gollum in LOTR. Unfortunately most of the movie consists of slow moving, predictable drama, and the ending leaves you feeling unsatisfied. It seems as even the combined forces of James Franco and Draco can't save this movie from feeling like a downer. However, series veterans and people viewing with the right expectations still might get a kick out of it. As for me, I just hope the next installment lives up to the trailer.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

DQ_SlotkinsAug 13, 2011

After a ridiculously slow start (with an out of place moral lesson about not changing nature) the film finally get rolling when Caesar ends up in lock down. And the rest is great. James Franco needs to be edited out and left on the cuttingAfter a ridiculously slow start (with an out of place moral lesson about not changing nature) the film finally get rolling when Caesar ends up in lock down. And the rest is great. James Franco needs to be edited out and left on the cutting room floor with Jar-Jar Binks. Andy Serkis (as Caesar) is truly amazing. The apes deserve the planet.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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4

hoops2448Sep 17, 2011

It's not a car wreck but then again its not good. Rise of the Planet of the Apes suffers from the fact it feels, acts and comes across as a fill in the gaps exercise. From the original Planet of the Apes you knew that man somehow changed andIt's not a car wreck but then again its not good. Rise of the Planet of the Apes suffers from the fact it feels, acts and comes across as a fill in the gaps exercise. From the original Planet of the Apes you knew that man somehow changed and this film answered the how. However that is almost all it does. because it is a bridge it doesn't try very hard and almost everyone involved looks bored as if someone forgot to tell them they needed to show some kind of emotion. If this is anything, its a way of spending a few hours relaxing your brain before you watch a film that gets you invested and thinking like say The Planet of the Apes......not the Tim Burton one.… Expand

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

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6

txrangersfan72Aug 14, 2011

An average film with a beautiful technical team to showcase a seamless interaction between humans and fake apes. While it wasn't a bad movie, it certainly doesn't deserve the accolades it is receiving.