Rise of the Planet of the Apes

[jadis]

Box Office Report: 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' Scores Big with $54 Mil Opening


http://movies.yahoo.com/news/box-office-report-rise-planet-apes-scores-big-121502308.html

Saw this last Saturday with the family and all of us liked it. Tremendously powerful soundtrack and I was at first made to believe the chimps were real but at the end credits saw people's name in the credits opposite the names of some apes.

"Rise of the Apes is particularly drawing notice for its photo-realistic apes, which were created by Peter Jackson’s Weta Digital using advanced performance capture technology. Andy Serkis plays the ape Caesar, and is the movie’s lead character."

I read a review that it was one of summer's best movies and I was not disappointed.

And before the movie, a few great trailers were shown from:

MI 4
Contagion
Johnny English 2 (I was laughing already at the trailer alone)

 

[Steve Williams]

The stats on Rise of the Planet of the Apes had a demographic of 44% women seeing the film.

 

[mep]

Does that mean that men like apes more than women?

 

[jadis]

I would that 44% women is quite high... I'd thought maybe only 10% women would like ape movies.

 

[FrantzM]

Hi

A good movie, no Avatar mind you, not even unforgettable, yet good, fun, action flick. Interesting character developments. The apes do become more and more human-like as the movie progresses and this helps the audience relate... Once one backs off and starts analyzing the heavy-handed anthropomorphism, it seems not to hold very well. .. Else good movie, likely good Bluray to own in the future.

 

[JackD201]

I'm hoping there's something in the story arc that will how endangered species' will come to dominate a species of about 7 billion in possession of guns and nukes. Still, it looks like a fun ride. I'll wait for the BD.

 

[Phelonious Ponk]

I would that 44% women is quite high... I'd thought maybe only 10% women would like ape movies.

Women like us. Why wouldn't they like a bunch of undisciplined simians?

Tim

 

[jadis]

Women like us. Why wouldn't they like a bunch of undisciplined simians?

Tim

You have a point there, Tim.

 

[RBFC]

It actually reminds the women of watching the college fraternity get-togethers. Nostalgia.

Lee

 

[FrantzM]

I'm hoping there's something in the story arc that will how endangered species' will come to dominate a species of about 7 billion in possession of guns and nukes. Still, it looks like a fun ride. I'll wait for the BD.

Hi

No, their goal is not domination, merely co-existence but on an equal footing... I hope I don't give the movie away (I don't think this would) but there is one point when the main ape, err.. character asks to his handler if he is a pet.... Up to this point its status was uncertain even to its "owner/handler".. caretaker?

 

[rblnr]

I'm hoping there's something in the story arc that will how endangered species' will come to dominate a species of about 7 billion in possession of guns and nukes. Still, it looks like a fun ride. I'll wait for the BD.

They take care of that Jack. Stick around for the closing credits.

Really well done movie -- each scene in the first two thirds moves the story forward. Confidently designed and told with no glaring Hollywood by-committee decisions.

 

[Steve Williams]

Alright guys I saw this movie this afternoon and all I can say is "what am I missing?"

I thought it was horrible, with little redeeming features other than the way the apes (humans) were filmed. Beyond that I am going to put my head out on a limb and say I just wouldn't recommend the movie. To me it was a 4/10.

Sorry guys, but I just didn't like it at all. A definite thumbs down for me

 

[NorthStar]

Thanks Steve; of all the members here, I trust your judgement, among few others, in the highest regard.

 

[Steve Williams]

Bob

I coaxed my wife into seeing the film based on members' reviews here. I am always a fan of SciFi and films such as this however I really didn't like it at all. In fact I would say that IMHO all of the original Planet of The Apes movies were far better than this one.

My wife "hated" the film. I was very close

 

[FrantzM]

Hi
What didn't you like about the movie?

 

[Steve Williams]

Hi
What didn't you like about the movie?

Everything from the opening credits to the closing credits. Just not my cup of tea.

As Bob pointed out however the ending showed how the beginning of the end started. Otherwise I preferred the original Planet of the Apes films.

Just me I guess

 

[NorthStar]

...And a totally acceptable opinion of both you and the wifey.

* I won't be rushing on seeing this one!

 

[Steve Williams]

Bob

this is just one man's opinion

 

[NorthStar]

...One good man, with a good head on his shoulders.

______________

Do you have money?
Enemies?

I'll protect your money for you against your enemies.

 

[rblnr]

Bob

this is just one man's opinion

No problem Steve, as was mine. Sounds like it hit you wrong from moment one.

Me, I thought the human stuff was nothing, though I liked the Dad with Alzheimers subplot and how it played into the story. But I found the ape story compelling and novel in execution. Didn't have the big time, end of the world tone of the original, nor a single image like the Statue of Liberty half sunk, but the whole third act with apes running through buildings and all that was something we haven't seen before.

From a visual storytelling standpoint, some really nice stuff like the two long tracking shots that mirror each other, one as Ceasar makes his way through the house and the other with the redwoods. Nice stuff too like the leaves shaking out of the trees all the way down the street as the monkeys on the trees advance. Liked too the rather bold-for-a-summer-movie conception: rather than start with a bang and mete them out thru the movie until the big bang which nearly always disappoints, this really saved all the action till act three, and did a good job using Ceaser as a ticking clock. But then, this is all intellectual stuff that doesn't matter if the fundamental tone and conception of the movie doesn't work for you.