“It’s a madhouse! It’s a madhouse!”
It’s been more than 50 years since Charlton Heston’s heartbreaking cry in the original Planet of the Apes movie, but our enthusiasm for America’s longest-running sci-fi series shows no signs of slowing.
After a half-hearted remake in 2001, 20th Century Fox gave the series an elaborate, CGI-enhanced reboot with 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes that won over a new generation. This was followed by his two critically and commercially acclaimed sequels, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014) and War for the Planet of the Apes.
Disney’s acquisition of Fox (later renamed 20th Century Studios) in 2019 left many fans worried that the swinging house of mice would toy with the real estate’s poignant swagger.
They can breathe a sigh of relief. The new Planet of the Apes continues the tradition of quality storytelling and challenging themes that began in 1968.
“Kingdom” takes place several decades after “War for the Planet of the Apes,” the final epic drama that ended with the death of ape leader Caesar (Andy Serkis). The new film follows Noah (Owen Teague), a young ape who lives in a small but peaceful village, far from the war that allowed apes to become the dominant species.
Their peace is shattered when a group of ruthless apes, led by Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), sack Noah’s village, capture its inhabitants, and kill those who resist, including Noah’s father. Fueled by revenge, Noah sets out on a journey to find his family and reclaim his homeland.
Along the way, Noah befriends orangutan Raka (Peter Macon) and human girl May (Freya Allan). Together, they rediscover Caesar’s long-forgotten past, learn shocking truths about their present, and end up taking action to shape the future of their planet.
Kingdom pays homage to both the original film and the recent trilogy. Serkis does not appear in this installment, as the characters grapple with Caesar’s legacy and how subsequent leaders have distorted it to serve their own selfish ends. And his presence looms large.
We see this reflected in the characters’ conflicting visions of the future. Noah emerges as an unlikely champion of Caesar’s dream of human-ape coexistence, while Proximus and May, on both sides, promote domination of their species.
Director Wes Ball has created a sprawling, gorgeous film with massive set pieces and stunning cinematography and effects (the motion capture for the monkey characters is still top-notch).
Ball also paid subtle homage to Star Wars: A New Hope. Noah, a young hero tempered by an unexpected tragedy and empowered by a dying ancient religion, is clearly the Luke Skywalker of this story. Just as Obi-Wan Kenobi and Darth Vader represent the light and dark sides of the Force, Raka and Proximus embody the yin and yang of Caesar’s teachings.
By borrowing the structural DNA and thematic resonances of Star Wars, Ball creates a world that is both comfortable and familiar, yet different enough to stand on its own. Like George Lucas, who created the original trilogy, Bell feels that winking at the audience or making jokes can ruin the fun.
And I’m very happy to hear that you found “Planet of the Apes” so interesting. His sci-fi fun is purely cinematic, world-building, thematically rich, and full of adventure.
It’s a rare movie these days, especially a Disney movie, that allows you to let go of your fears at the door and leave completely satisfied. But Ball, screenwriter Josh Friedman, and the cast and crew pulled it off. Let’s hope they keep putting their stinky feet on this fucking dirty ape for years to come.
