Is "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" just another remake of the classic "Planet of the Apes" film series? Not hardly. This film differs from the original and the 2001 re-boot in many ways, the most obvious being the use of CGI apes instead of actors in make-up. This version of the tale explores the beginning of the age of the apes, as well as the causes for which humans lost their dominance in the world. Scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) is researching a cure for Alzheimer's using apes as lab rats. He searches for a cure with the personal motive of saving his father (John Lithgow), who has suffered with the disease for a long period. When a breakthrough comes with Caesar, a young chimpanzee, Will uses the drug on his own father, who recovers completely the next day. However, Caesar continues to become smarter and smarter, learning to read and sign, as well as understand English. In the process, he begins to question his own identity as a chimpanzee and becomes confused (and dangerous). He becomes smart enough to realize that he can give this miracle drug to other apes, and does so, hoping to build his own colony in the Redwood Forest. There are many twists and turns in the film that I obviously won't spoil, and overall the story is very original and plausible, with many allusions to the original films. On the other hand, the special effects underwhelmed and I never connected to the apes because they appeared so unrealistic. The film ran a bit too long and only regained interest of the audience within the last 15 minutes or so. The film also stars Freida Pinto and Draco Malfoy... I mean Tom Felton... who did not quite master the American accent in time for filming. I would recommend this as a rental if you enjoyed the original films. 5 out of 10 stars.
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