DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

This is the second of the rebooted series, featuring Andy Serkis as Caesar the leader of the evolved apes, being the sequel to ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’.

(I hate to be a nit-picker but surely dawn comes before the sunrise, not after?)

We quickly learn that the pandemic that ends the first film has wiped out most humans. Meanwhile Caesar has established a peaceful home for the apes in the woods outside San Francisco.

But once the surviving humans from the city make accidental contact with the apes the only question is whether war between the two species can be averted.

Despite the best efforts of Caesar and one of the humans, Malcolm, the answer inevitably is ‘no’, which could make for a downbeat viewing experience were it not for the skilful way the story unfolds, always keeping the viewer interested.  

The credit for this lies in part with the quality of the writing and the outstanding visual effects. But essentially it is Serkis who carries the film.

In contrast, none of the human characters are especially memorable. 

Gary Oldman is somewhat wasted in the role of Dreyfus, the ineffectual leader of the humans in San Francisco.  He doesn’t think to have their armoury well defended (spoiler alert: bad mistake), and eventually blows himself up for no very good reason that I could see.

Although it seems that this film's main purpose is to pave the way for all-out war in the next instalment it works well enough as a standalone film. 

RATING: ✓ Cheers