Gaggles of humans, who are the only survivors of a pandemic disease, hang on the last available resources and are left with the only hope of existence by recovering the city’s electricity. This needs them to regain control of the now defunct O’Shaughnessy Dam. But when they discover that it is now the territory of the Apes, headed by Caesar and are looking to establish their own pocket of civilization, the situation changes hastily and drastically to unfold the rest of the movie.
Language:
English
Running Time:
131 min
Rating:
PG -13
Release date:
11 July 2014
Directed by:
Matt Reeves
Produced by:
Peter Chernin
Dylan Clark
Rick Jaffa
Amanda Silver
Written by:
Mark Bomback
Rick Jaffa
Amanda Silver
Starring:
Andy Serkis
Jason Clarke
Gary Oldman
Keri Russell
Toby Kebbell
Kodi Smit-McPhee
Music by:
Michael Giacchino
Shot by:
Michael Seresin
Edited by:
William Hoy
Stan Salfas
Distributed by:
20th Century Fox

What’s Hot

  • If the Rise (2011) was all about Caesar’s (Andy Serkis) connection with the humans and his rise from being a victim to a rebel, ‘Dawn’ is about his leadership, comradery, fatherhood and ensuring the survival of his clan. The movie revolves around Caesar and rightly so; with a strong performance, he doesn’t let down the script or the fans who had their expectations soaring after the strong showing in the prequel. Judy Greer, Nick Thurston, Karin Konoval, Kirk Acevedo also need to be credited for bringing the other ape characters to life in enjoyable fashion.
  • Masterminded once again by Peter Jackson’s WETA effects team under Joe Letteri and Dan Lemmon, the astounding motion-capture work is the backbone of the movie. The organic scope of the digitized character creation is breathtaking. It brings out a real spectacle and keeps the audience not just glued to the screens but also gives them the muck and anguish that they look for in such flicks.
  • The ‘Rise’ was mostly shot in a studio. In ‘Dawn’, the director Matt Reeves and Cinematographer Michael Seresin bring the 3D technology right out of locked rooms into real space and the woods of Vancouver. That’s the kind of experience that the audience long for and this ‘Dawn’ doesn’t disappoint them by any means.
  • Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell & Kodi Smit-McPhee are adept in playing their parts and are the recognizable human characters in an ‘Ape-dominated’ flick.

What’s Not

  • The lack of a strong human cast doesn’t really work wonders for the movie. The ‘Rise’ had an appealing cast in James Franco, Frieda Pinto & John Lithgow – the ‘Dawn’ does fall short in that aspect. The appeal and impact of the previous installments are toned down like Caesar’s original “No!” is inexorably weakened as single words turn into sort-of dialogues.

Badges

Verdict

Verdict Stamp

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is an indisputable one-two thump of a winning movie. It’s the type of landmark exhibition film that is a must-see in theaters and the news of a third installment doesn’t dampen it either. As a movie it falls short on acuity but as a spectacle, it is a groundbreaker.