Friday 16 September 2011

Angry Movie Lurker Honest Review 50: Rise of the Planet of the Apes 2011 (4 STARS).

Area managers are killing me, demanding tea and biscuits and eating into my blogging time, on annual leave next week again (just taking my birthday off and using up the annual leave as I'm not going anywhere), got a game on Sunday (Egyptians vs Hittites) and you lot have yourselves a good weekend if you can.


During experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a genetically enhanced chimpanzee is smuggled out of the experiment and later on uses it's greater intelligence to lead other apes to freedom.

Wasn't too keen to see this to be honest but was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it, the CGI is very acceptable (Caesar and the other apes), good action, good story and a damn good ending.
Got the usual cliches with the mean monkey keeper at the sanctuary after Caesar attacks someone (this is where the story is at it's best), the greedy corporate suit whose push to use the new drug will seal his and humanity's fate. The main story is the Alzheimer's drug that fails at first but is secretly tested on a human by James Franco (tested on his dad because he has the disease) who smuggled Caesar out when he was a baby but things go wrong and he tries to stop any future reckless testing of a newer drug on apes.

I don't want to give away too much but it's definitely worth a watch and the sight of a silverback gorilla having issues with a helicopter pilot and crew (who have fired their guns at him) by entering said helicopter in flight and making his feelings very clear, there might be a sequel but an end scene makes it clear where the other movies came from and possibly how they came about.

Empire review here

48 comments:

  1. So another good role by Andy Serkis there? ;)

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  2. i am a big fan of the 60s 70s apes movies and tv shows, the tim burton movie was garbage. Rise was the best movie i have seen in years, cant wait for the sequel, planet of the apes

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  3. I thought it was awesome, I don't say that often.

    'The Virus' was different in the original movies, it killed domestic pets, which led to apes being kept instead and then learning tricks, then skills and onto becoming slaves.

    The end of the world in the time of the originals is seen as likely to be different to what it is now, hence the concerns displayed in this film.

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  4. Hmm, was wondering too if I wanted to see it, remembering the iconic scenes from the Planet of the Apes movies when I were but a lad. I too thought the Burton one pretty ordinary but I also saw this latest bagged in a review in the local rag (their reviews are usually pretty accurate) so I'm glad an affectionado such as yourself Angry appreciated it. I'll definitely go and see it now - thanks for the review!

    Doc

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  5. I expected it to be much worse but enjoyed watching the movie. Like you said it was great story and great action.
    The only thing I'm a little sad about is that there is not a single monkey eating a banana in the whole film. Totally unrealistic.

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  6. Kadriazi: Damn good performance by Gollum.

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  7. Thank you for the quick review. I will get it on dvd to rent when it comes out or netflix. I am with you on the 'meh' as far as being excited to see the movie but I do want to see it nonetheless. Is it just me or have there been a lot of virus type movies out recently?

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  8. I like this one more than I expected to, as well. Fine film.

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  9. it was a nice movie in the rather poor summer in cinemas.

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  10. I really want to see this movie. I haven't heard anything bad about it yet.

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  11. I have still not seen this movie!! Now I REALLY want to. lol.

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  12. Advance Birthday wishes. And enjoy ur vacation.

    I concur with this statement"Wasn't too keen to see this to be honest but was really surprised at how much I enjoyed it"
    Seriously I wasnt thrilled or excited to watch but when I watched the movie it was pretty good and CGI was convincing. I liked Franco and didnt like Slumdog millionaire lady Pinto?! :)

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  13. Everybody seem to say it'a actually not too bad. I will wait for a wintery evening to watch this at home.

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  14. Egyptians vs Hittites sounds exciting -- hope we get to have a report after.

    Have a great birthday!

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  15. I've seen it. It's a very good film.

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  16. yup, awesome flick. Perhaps my favorite of the summer I'd say.

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  17. Guess I hadn't heard much about it, so I thought it sucked. But thanks for the positive review.

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  18. Uh? So this isn't related to "Planet of the Apes"?

    Maybe is worth a shot...

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  19. I thought it was an awesome film but could have been so much more epic with the ape revolution!

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  20. I may have to give this one a shot. I feared plot holes that monkeys could fly a helicopter through, but I may give it a second look after your review.

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  21. does anybody else wonder why there aren't any female primates in the movie?

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  22. Heard very good things about this movie, and it seems to be getting quite good reviews. Might have to head over to the movies, it's been a while.

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  23. Christ but this takes me back aways. I still remember the first movie and haven't thought about it in years. Based on your reivew. I'll give this one a go. Have a wonderful holiday Angry. I'll post something special for ya here soon.

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  24. i'm not happy by the idea , that monkeys can get out military so easy

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  25. I'll have to see this after all. Thanks for the review.

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  26. I've heard its good but I just don't have the interest in watching it

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  27. Interesting. Your review has been the most positive one I've seen so far...

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  28. It was surprisingly one of the best movies this summer. Enjoy your review as well.

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  29. I know. I still have to see this one

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  30. Really enjoyed it and so did the wife.
    Great story too.
    Cheers
    Paul

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  31. i look forward to seeing this movie

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  32. its out already? gotta see this one

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  33. If the first one is genetically modified then he's like Frankenfood, not the real thing. Nothing to worry about yet.

    I am waiting for the cloned wooly mammoths to be used as 'police dog' elephants, from the Jurassic Park experiment.

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  34. I never really wanted to see this, but I had a friend who saw it and said much the same as you. I think it might be worth checking out.

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  35. Yeah I have to see it!!! It looks awesome!!!

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  36. I have watched this about a zillion times. I plan on watching it a zillion more too. :)

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  37. I also need to see this as well! I just keep hearing decent thing about this movie.

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  38. Angry, you missed the Boobies I posted for you on Saturday. As you're not going away for holiday, I picked a lass with cleavage deep enough for ya to snuggle yourself up in all week.

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  39. "having issues with a helicopter pilot"

    Not something you see in many movie reviews.

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  40. i like how this movie is based on a true story out of london riots...

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  41. I might not be as smart as those chimps, but i think we should worry about ants too. They are billions and ready to attack us.

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  42. I saw one of the classic movies, they were not bad, but right now I'm not interested in this kind of story. it's always the same.

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  43. Is it your birthday yet? Popped in to say Happy Birthday. Hope your holiday goes well and you get to eat lots of nummy things.

    I was telling Ray that I bought malt vinegar so I could make my own katsup. But I haven't tried it on fish yet. Just can't break away from the honey.

    It's THAT good.

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  44. i liked it, also happy bday dude, have a blast

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