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Sarah (7800 KP) rated War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) in Movies

Jul 27, 2017

Special effects (1 more)

Woody Harrelson

Slow paced (1 more)

The title is a little misleading

Not bad, but nothing special

I'll start off by admitting that my personal views probably affected my view of this film, as I'm really not fond of apes. However I did think the first 2 films were good, but nothing to write home about, and I'm afraid the third film fits in to this category too.

Yes the special effects are amazing, Andy Serkis is brilliant as Caesar and Woody Harrelson is great as a bad guy, if a little underused. My issue with the film is that it's title is misleading - the "war" isn't really the kind of war I was expecting. It's also very slow paced and despite a run time of just over 2 hours, it felt much longer. There was also a few silly plot holes and conveniences made to further the story which didn't quite work. Personally I think Dawn was a much better film as it more evenly balanced the ape and human aspects.

Kudos

Bird (1704 KP) Jul 27, 2017

Love the 'really not fond of apes' line! ? (KP on way)

Kudos

Haley Mathiot (9 KP) rated Latin Grill: Sultry and Simple Food for Red-Hot Dinners and Parties in Books

Apr 27, 2018

Latin Grill was amazing. That's really the only word I have to describe it. This book has everything: Salads, Meat, Shellfish, Desserts, and even Beverages. There's also information in the front about various grill-type-things like which kind of grill to use, what kinds of tools you need etc.

And the photographs… make me… drool. More than just hungry. drool. *wipes computer off* I've never wanted a salad so badly in my whole life. Grilled avocado on Caesar Salads, grilled Sea Scallops with Avocado and Apple, recipes for lamb, beef, chicken, even duck. It's hard to find a good recipe for Churros (with chocolate sauce!) Semisweet Chocolate and Coffee Brioche Bread Pudding… reading that one almost made me cry. There's a whole slew of lemonades and martinis in the back to top off a fantastic full-course grilled dinner… or just to go with your Sunday-night family barbecue.

Recommendation: hey moms, this would be a great fathers' day gift! There's a recipe in here for everyone.

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Introducing Shakespeare's Tragedies: A Guide for Teachers

Victor Cahn

(0 Ratings) Rate It

Book

This stimulating and accessible book is intended for instructors at the junior high school, high...

Something Like Spring (Seasons, #4)

Jay Bell

9.0 (2 Ratings) Rate It

Book

Nothing in this world is permanent. Friends, lovers, even family, can all disappear in the blink of...

Movie Metropolis (309 KP) rated War for the Planet of the Apes (2017) in Movies

Jun 10, 2019 (Updated Jun 10, 2019)

The Great Ape-scape

Six years ago, I didn’t think I’d be telling you that a remake of the classic Planet of the Apes and its sequel would go on to be one of the finest double acts since The Two Ronnies, but that’s exactly what has happened.

Now, the final part of this incredible trilogy, War for the Planet of the Apes is out and ready to conclude an incredible half decade of cinema. But is it as good as its predecessors?

Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his band of loyal apes are forced into a deadly war with an army of humans led by a ruthless colonel (Woody Harrelson). After Caesar’s band of apes suffers unimaginable losses, he wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own quest of revenge. As the journey finally brings the two rivals face-to-face, Caesar and the colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both of their species.

I have to say, I was a little concerned the finished product would be as tongue twisting as its frankly ridiculous title (a problem that has blighted the entire series), but it ends up being a stunning and heart-warming finale to a franchise filled to the brim with memorable moments.

The motion capture used on Andy Serkis to create Caesar has to be seen to be believed. If you thought predecessor Dawn was good, you haven’t seen anything yet. His hair moves with subtle believability and his movements are so fluid, it’s easy to forget you’re watching a film and not a documentary.

But this incredible technology isn’t used solely on our main protagonist. Fan favourite orangutan Maurice returns and newcomer “Bad Ape” captured by Steve Zahn provides the flick with a much-needed eccentric, shining a little light in one of the bleakest feature films of the last half decade.

The human characters, naturally don’t fare so well. Woody Harrelson is his usual charismatic self but feels a little caricature like. His colonel just doesn’t feel particularly believable. Likewise, Amiah Miller’s turn as Nova, whom Maurice adopts as his daughter, seems to be merely used as a plot device, though she does partake in some of the sweeter moments.

As with its predecessors, War is a slow burner with the action interweaved into the plot rather than the other way around. In principle it works well, though the pacing towards the middle of this 140-minute behemoth is a little off.

Nevertheless, the action is filmed beautifully. In fact, the whole film is stunning. Beautiful wooded landscapes and open deserts are juxtaposed with the dark concentration camps used in the latter half. One sequence in particular, behind a gorgeously realised waterfall, is one of the best action scenes of the entire year.

Masquerading as a blockbuster, this is a film with a much deeper message about messing with nature. Brutal and emotionally testing, War for the Planet of the Apes is brave in its choices and all the better for it.

Three films in, it would be easy for director Matt Reeves to rest on his laurels and rely on the positive reaction to its predecessors, but thankfully he has climaxed on a high. It’s not perfect, and not an easy watch by any means, but for a threequel, you can’t really get much better.

https://moviemetropolis.net/2017/07/12/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review/