Sunday, August 14, 2011

Rise o' the Planet o' da Apes (o')


When I first heard about this movie being redone, or remade or whatever they call it now (re-imagining) I was skeptical. Tim Burton tried to do it about ten years ago (10 years ago already?). That remake was on FX the other day, man is it terrible. So, of course you're going to use the most recent version as your litmus test to answer "is this a good idea"?

They were doing okay by the title. It was just going to be "Ceasar" (our lead ape). Then I think it was something else and then the final ridiculous title. I have to say it is the worst part of the movie. What about "Rise of the Apes"? Do you really think people won't think of the 6 Planet of the Apes movies if you don't have "Planet" in the title? Anyhoo...

The movie itself is pretty good. You're always going to have trouble when you're supposed to root for something or someone other than humans. I think that's one of the reasons I don't really like the Hellboy movies. Lord knows, I tried.

One of our human leads is a scientist (James Franco, possibly getting a degree in "science" while filming this movie) who is working on a cure for Altzheimer's. This personal to him because his dad (John Lithgow) has the disease. Of course they're testing on apes. One of the strains works and then some. Mishaps happen (no spoilers) so he brings Ceasar home. He gets smart. He is aware he's not quite ape and not quite human. He longs to be free. Humans don't want that to happen. Battling ensues (a lot of which has been spoiled in the trailers, come on Fox).

It is entertaining and evokes emotions and the effects are great. I mean, you still realize they're CGI, but not enough where it bothers you or takes you out of the movie. Way to go, Summer 2011!

Did you enjoy it?
Yes.

Would you see it in theaters again?
Maybe. If the fall gets boring and it is still playing.

Would you buy it?
I smell a new collectors edition

Would you rent it?
Sure.

Would you watch it if you saw it was on TV?
Yes.

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