War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

Directed by: Matt Reeves | 140 minutes | action, adventure, science fiction, drama, thriller | Actors: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Karin Konoval, Amiah Miller, Terry Notary, Ty Olsson, Michael Adamthwaite, Toby Kebbell, Gabriel Chavarria, Judy Greer, Sara Canning, Devyn Dalton, Aleks Paunovic, Alessandro Juliani

Director Matt Reeves took over the series of ‘Planet of the Apes’ prequels from Rupert Wyatt in 2014. That first part (‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes) was a very solid foundation for an interesting film series. The even better second part offered viewers a lesson in sociology in ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’. Reeves is now back in the director’s chair, a risk. How often is it the case that after two great parts in a series, the third turns out to be a big step back (yes ‘The Dark Knight Rises and ‘Back to the Future Part III’, we’re talking about you). However, fans of the series can indulge themselves. ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ is a more than complete end to the conflict between man and ape.

However, anyone who thinks of major battles between the two parties when thinking of this title will be disappointed. The war in the title only provides the backdrop for monkey leader Caesar’s (Andy Serkis) quest for revenge. After years of fleeing, the charismatic head of the monkey colony is found by the Colonel (Woody Harrelson), who manages to deal a devastating blow to Caesar. After two films in which Caesar learned to love people, in this third part he learns to hate a person. That’s something that the character also struggles with and it makes for an interesting conflict. In essence, the war in the title even hints at Caesar’s inner struggles, can he overcome his hatred or will he fall into the aggressive ways that are typical of his species?

It shouldn’t come as a surprise anymore, but Andy Serkis once again plays the stars of heaven as Caesar. The fact that the monkeys look more realistic again this time naturally contributes to this. Serkis continues to be a genius at bringing computer-generated characters to life and appears to have found quite a few colleagues in this form of acting. The biggest surprise in this is Bad Ape, played by Steve Zahn. A cowardly and clumsy monkey that Caesar and his gang encounter on their journey, a character that could have become very annoying very quickly. Fortunately, he forms the very welcome comic note in a fairly intense and gripping whole.

Because outside of Bad Ape there is little to laugh about in the film. It is very clear that ‘Apocalypse Now’ has been a strong influence in the development of ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’. The Colonel, Harrelson’s character, is in fact a new version of the insane Colonel from that aforementioned classic. Not that it has become a copy job, Harrelson does enough with the role to make it his own and the public believes him to be the driven army commander who wants to see every intelligent monkey in the grave and above all want humanity back at the top of the food chain.

The expectations for the film were high, but she undoubtedly manages to meet this third part and even exceed it at times. What goes wrong, however, is the pace of the film. The first half is an adventure film in which the new characters are introduced. The second half, however, takes place largely in the same location, which gives the viewer the feeling that no real progress is being made anymore. It all remains interesting and gripping, but the story could have been a bit more streamlined.

Nevertheless, ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’ remains a major hit. Is it a little too sentimental at times? Sure, but now that Caesar has come to the end of his storyline, that little bit of melodrama shouldn’t be a blemish. Director Matt Reeves also delivers it with enough emotion without destroying his sociology classes. The last in the series of ‘Planet of the Apes’ films is in any case a great ending to a trilogy that can fill many a movie night.