Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Posted by Amy in Movies | 1 comment

I remember the original Planet of the Apes with its unexpected ending, the cruelty of the apes towards the weakened and mute humans, the hero astronaut arriving as unwitting savior and leaving as horrified witness to humanity’s short-sightedness.

I was therefore excited to see a new Planet of the Apes movie. The sequels had not kept up with the original momentum. Who can ever forget the jaw-dropping moment when Charlton Heston realizes that it is his very own mankind that has destroyed its own habitat?

The trailer to The Rise of the Planet of the Apes promised payback against humans who caged, enslaved and experimented on animals. Set in a very near-future (if not already transpiring as I write this), the movie delves into some graphic depictions of human cruelty  in its quest for power (disguised as lofty ideals).

Oh of course, there had to be some suspension of belief. But isn’t our future made of unbelievable moments which only just previously had been considered outlandish fiction?

No animals were harmed during the making of this movie. The special effects amaze, the subplots include love stories and altruism. Maybe there is hope after all.

This movie may be considered a prequel to the original and first Planet of the Apes. Long before humans destroy themselves, or have to flee to other planets, they play around with mutations and manipulate genes, transforming animals into more than “just” zoo spectacles, or objects for vivisection. They create apes who are capable of thought and reason, they remake animals in their own image.

And what happens? Revolution? You bet! Ok, so the movie gives comeuppance to sadistic animal handlers and greedy corporate deviants. Yay on both counts! What is so interesting is that the apes make their way into the wilderness. Humans tamed the wilderness and claimed it for themselves. Will intelligent apes do the same? Watch the movie. When the credits begin to roll, stay put. The story isn’t over.