Once 鈥淜ingdom of the Planet of the Apes鈥 gets over an overlong opening, it tells an exceptionally good story that could be a cautionary tale for those who invest in politicians.
Noa, a young chimpanzee, has encountered a world where a not-so-noble leader calls himself Proximus Caesar has a way to tap into the goodwill that followed the late leader. This Caesar鈥檚 not at all in the same camp, but that doesn鈥檛 faze followers who are willing to do his bidding.
Naturally, they鈥檙e opposed to anything Noa (Owen Teague) holds dear. The rebel listens to those he does trust and works to right the wrongs.
Using motion-capture animation, director Wes Ball creates a 鈥淧lanet of the Apes鈥 film that鈥檚 more engrossing than its predecessors. Largely, that鈥檚 because Teague is such a phenomenal actor 鈥 he makes us believe Noa is real and his emotions are deeply felt. When he encounters a human female (Freya Allan), a bond forms and soon, there鈥檚 a plan to rescue both humans and apes. That attempt kicks the film into high gear and sets it up for a great sequel.
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Humans, you see, don鈥檛 rule the world. They鈥檙e second to apes who have a desire to get something held in a ship. We don鈥檛 discover what that is until necessary. But there are talks about everything from birds of prey to banned books.
William H. Macy checks in as a historian who rather likes his lot in life. He鈥檚 not eager to upset the status quo, yet he has the intel that could make everyone鈥檚 life better. More encouraging is an orangutan named Raka (Peter Macon) who gives the woman a name (Nova) and helps bring the two closer to their destination. Ball makes sure the plot points are carefully conveyed, then kicks the action into high gear. Because the actors playing the apes are actually running, you can hear the exhaustion in their voices. It鈥檚 a neat trick that鈥檚 augmented by sound effects that make you feel like you鈥檙e right in the thick of it.
Looking a bit like 鈥淎vatar鈥檚鈥 Pandora, the world they inhabit would make a dandy theme park addition, complete with bird show. When Noa and Nova share their life stories, you鈥檙e reminded of countless adventures set in unseen worlds.
Because the special effects are so good, Proximus (Kevin Durand) seems even more formidable than past 鈥淎pes鈥 leaders. He isn鈥檛 one to be tested, even though Noa has an inner drive that conquers plenty.
When 鈥淧lanet of the Apes鈥 appeared in 1968, it tossed out plenty of ideas that reach fruition in this, the umpteenth sequel. There鈥檚 a better throughline, too, and character design that plays well. When the Eagle Clan鈥檚 secret weapons come into play, 鈥淜ingdom鈥 pops to life and makes you eager to see the next installment.
Teague is key to this. Without his emotional investment the journey wouldn鈥檛 be worth taking. He makes us want to see the wrongs righted.
