REVIEW: KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES

4/5

What A Wonderful World.

145 Mins. Starring: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon & William H. Macy. Director: Wes Ball. In: Theatres.

Apes. Together. For so long. Starting off like 'Star Wars', decades ago, way back in 1968. You know what? That's even further than a galaxy far, far away. From Charlton Heston's "damn dirty apes", to the flaring nostrils of Mark Wahlberg's "how's your mother doing", Tim Burton remake. Not to mention all the Statue of Liberty heads in the sand like an 'Escape From New York' and 'The Simpsons' musicals starring Troy McClure (you may know this from, "Dr. Zaius, Dr. Zaius") in-between. One of the most underrated franchises in cult film history, from science-fiction to comic-books, also recently released one of the most underappreciated trilogies ('Rise', 'Dawn' and 'War') to go alongside all the 'Dark Knights', 'Godfathers' and 'Lord of the Rings' (and only one of these big-threes had a satisfying conclusion) in holy trinity cinematic history. And now, they're aiming for nine films with a new one to give us a trilogy of trilogies. But before you say, "stop the 'Planet Of The Apes', I want to get off", just wait until they crown the 'Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes' in this simian game of thrones that could even make Godzilla and Kong's heads roll in this brand-new empire.

Out of this world intellectual property like 'Star Trek' that boldly gone on for new life and new civilizations long, these apes may no longer be humans decked out in Carhartt attire any more, but they're a far cry from the PG Tips "no animals were harmed" commercial product. This is CGI at its mo-capped, green screen finest that makes you forget this isn't as real as it could possibly get. And to those thinking that looking for new life in this franchise is like picking through the business of monkey hair looking for new strands of a plot, don't shriek in fear. This sequel of sorts is set hundreds of years into the future, so you won't exactly be saying hail Caesar in an opening act that would be as emotional as the beginning of the 'Black Panther' sequel 'Wakanda Forever', if it wasn't for the real world effects of said Marvel movie. Which means, sadly, no Andy Serkis, who is long overdue for an Oscar for these types of roles (let alone his "other" acting and directing career on the side), as they've just announced a hunt for Gollum movie that will have YouTube up in arms. Let's hope this 'Kingdom' as popular as a Japanese movie of the same name makes people curious like George. Because if Ryan Gosling's 'The Fall Guy' and the best red carpet photo-op ever could give the stuntmen a well deserved Academy category, then this planet should do the same for the humans reverting back to ape form like primal primates.

This standalone sequel from the wonder of Wes Ball (the 'Maze Runner' trilogy) has its own wonderful day. And when it comes to those monkeying around, 'It' and 'Black Mirror' star Owen Teague would make Caesar proud with a kestrel ("come on Kes") for a knave. His heroic Noah has a story arc ready for his own trilogy to come, like those animals, two-by-two. But it's Kevin Durand (no typo, not the basketball player with a "T"), The Blob of 'X-Men Origins: Wolverine' and Little John of 'Robin Hood' who has the line to die for as a Caesar proxy who would be king. Even if 'The Orville' star and the 'Family Guy' recognizable voice of Peter Macon, steals the show and our hearts as the coolest and most compelling, storytelling orangutan who brings us up to "previously on" speed. As for those damn dirty humans that join the likes of James Franco, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman and Woody Harrelson seemingly shaving his head for the entirety of the 'War For The Planet Of The Apes' with a straight razor, there's a shameless William H. Macy for your big, Hollywood walk of fame names. Yet it's 'The Witcher' and 'Gunpowder Milkshake' great British star of right now and the future, Freya Allan, who really resonates, excelling like Microsoft as the search engines will be dialled up to her name like future scripts and casting calls. You see, in this action adventure dystopia reboot, 300 years later, humans have lost more than their way and planet as a disease hits close to home like the planetary pandemic we just suffered through. But Freya forges on, just like this franchise that still has something to say about racism and class divides. Dreaming in metaphors, these apes are even smarter than they look. And when it comes down to the cinematic capturing, you've never seen anything like these chimps. TIM DAVID HARVEY.

Further Filming: 'War For The Planet Of The Apes', 'Planet Of The Apes (1968)', 'Godzilla x King: The New Empire'.