Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

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Overview

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is a 2011 science fiction action film directed by Rupert Wyatt and is a reboot of the Planet of the Apes franchise which began in 1968. The film stars James Franco as Will Rodman, the human protagonist, and Andy Serkis as chimpanzee Caesar.

Plot

Caesar embracing Will's father, Charles Rodman

By testing a retrovirus on chimpanzees, scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) hopes to come up with a cure for Alzheimer's disease, something which is father is suffering from. The virus gives the chimpanzees increased levels of intelligence, which causes one test subject to become enraged, under the belief that her child is under threat from the scientists. A lot of destruction is caused from the rampage and the chimpanzee crashes into a board room meeting before being shot and killed by security. Will's boss, Steven Jacobs ( David Oyelowo), ends the company's testing of the cure under the belief that no-one will invest in it after what happened, telling worker Robert Franklin ( Tyler Labine) to put down the chimpanzees. However, he becomes distressed and refuses to kill the baby. He instead hands the responsibility to Will, who takes him into his home and names him Caesar (Andy Serkis), soon realising that he has inherited his mother's intelligence.

The years pass and Will tries out his Alzheimer's cure on his father, Charles Rodman ( John Lithgow). He seems to improve, but over time his body begins to build up a defence to the virus. In his confusion he gets into a neighbour's car (despite not being allowed to drive) and causes minor damage. In anger, the neighbour comes out and begins to confront Charles. Caesar sees these and comes to Charles' rescue by attacking the neighbour. Caesar is then sent to a primate facility where, unbeknownst to Will, the inhabitants are badly treated by worker Dodge Landon ( Tom Felton). When Dodge's friends are visiting the cells, Caesar grabs one of them and steals their pocket knife, managing to escape his cell at night and gain the trust of the other apes.

Dodge Landon at work in the primate facility

Upon hearing that Will's father was cured (albeit temporarily), Jacobs recommissions the testing with a more powerful cure. Robert Franklin is later found dead in his apartment as the virus is fatal to humans. However, Jacobs refuses to stop the testing, much to the anger of Will who then quits his job. Meanwhile, Caesar has discovered a way to leave the primate facility. He travels to Will's house and steals a form of the virus, then releasing it on his fellow inmates in order to increase their intelligence. They all rise up, attacking Dodge Landon and releasing all the apes from testing and from the local zoo.

The primates then begin an attack on San Fransico's Golden Gate Bridge, attacking the police officers attempting to block them off. Jacobs arrives in a helicopter and another passenger begins shooting at the apes. The helicopter is attacked and crashes into the bridge, leaving Jacobs dangling off the edge. He pleads for help, but a primate named Koba pushes him into the water below. The apes then travel to Muir Woods National Monument, a place which Caesar visited when younger. Will arrives and tries to tell Caesar that he will protect him if he comes home. However, Caesar speaks, telling Will that "Caesar is home" in the forest.

Release

Premiere

The film's premiere was held in Los Angeles at Grauman's Chinese Theatre, with key cast members such as James Franco, Freida Pinto and Tom Felton in attendance. Despite not appearing in the film, Felton's Harry Potter co-star Rupert Grint walked the red carpet wearing a shirt that read "I HEART TOM FELTON" in support for his friend.

Reception

Critical feedback on Rise of the Planet of the Apes has been positive. Combing critic's reviews together, website Rotten Tomatoes rates the film as 'certified fresh' with an 83% approval rating and an average score of 7.2/10. The film has 100% from the top critics (a select number who are chosen on their respectability) and an overall consensus of: "Led by Rupert Wyatt's stylish direction, some impressive special effects, and a mesmerizing performance by Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes breathes unlikely new life into a long-running franchise".

Writing for Empire magazine, Kim Newman says that the work done to translate Andy Serkis' movements to CG is "truly remarkable" and makes it so Caesar and his gang "own this movie" over the human cast, despite their good performances. Newman also praised the final action scene on the Golden Gate Bridge, which he calls "the best set-piece finale of the summer".