'War For The Planet Of The Apes' Review

Perhaps 'War' was a bit of a misleading title for Matt Reeves' third installment in the Planet of the Apes prequel trilogy. In cinema, the word 'war' usually conjures up images of epic battles and intense action sequences, and rightly so, as these are what most war films entail. However War for the Planet of the Apes is a much more subtle film than the title may suggest, but by no means is this a bad thing. Instead of going for a full on action flick, the film opts for a more subversive, emotionally driven film that exposes the true horrors of war away from the battlefield. This time around, we see ape leader Caesar (Andy Serkis) set out through the unforgiving wilderness in search of a ruthless human colonel (Woody Harrelson) who threatens his kind for good.

Like the previous two films in the series, War once again deals with themes such as morality, humanity, and the fight for survival. Both the apes and the humans are fighting for control of their planet, with both being willing to do anything it takes to come out on top. The humans are particularly ruthless under the leadership of The Colonel, a cold-hearted, Kurtz-like figure who pushes Caesar to his absolute limits. This is a different Caesar to the one we have seen in the previous two films, while he once yearned for peace with humanity, in War we see him gradually lose his faith. Aside from the literal conflict happening in the film, the real conflict is the internal one faced by Caesar. He faces a huge moral dilemma this time around, living in fear of becoming too much like his former adversary Koba (Toby Kebbel). The films events are a true endurance test for Caesar, both physically and mentally. It's a powerful arc for Caesar and watching him develop throughout War is an incredibly captivating experience. These themes of morality and internal conflict act as the films emotional foundations.

Of course, Caesar would not be complete without Andy Serkis, and the action gives a fantastic performance yet again through the use of motion capture. This is a much more layered version of the character in comparison to the previous films, who is tasked with protecting his kind while dealing with his own inner demons. We have seen before how brilliantly Serkis brings the character to life through his movements, but here he gets to explore much deeper elements of Caesar that play out excellently onscreen. He is matched by the cold and unrelenting Colonel played by Woody Harrelson, a character who also seeks to protect his own kind through incredibly violent means. The Colonel is a truly menacing character and a formidable foe for Caesar, yet there is a certain motivation to his menace that adds a certain layer of complexity to his character. Harrelson's character may be stern, but it is clear that he is having great fun bringing him to life. Other highlights include a new ape played by Steve Zahn, who acts as a lighthearted comic relief in this otherwise bleak film. As well as that, young actress Amiah Miller displays a fine amount of talent as the young mute girl in the film, who acts as an easter egg of sorts for fans of the original Planet of the Apes film.

The visuals in War are second to none, with the dark, snow-capped landscapes being brought to life brilliantly by director Matt Reeves and cinematographer Michael Seresin. This is a cold and unforgiving world both literally and figuratively. The apes are brought to life with equal precision and attention to detail, the use of CGI and motion capture is absolutely fantastic. Every wrinkle, every hair is so precise and detailed, making these primates feel so realistic and human. This is incredibly effective, not just for the films general look and production value, but also for emotional value as well. Throughout the film there are many instances of apes being beaten and killed, and the fact that they look and feel so human makes these moments incredibly effective and at times, borderline disturbing. Reeves doesn't hold back when displaying the brutality shown towards these apes, further emphasising how horrific this eponymous war really is. The visuals do a marvelous job at setting the films dark tone and general atmosphere while also providing for an aesthetically pleasing cinematic experience. Also, I must give a special mention to the beautiful score by Michael Giacchino that adds an extra layer of emotional depth to this already powerful film, it was one of my favourite aspects of the film.

If War for the Planet of the Apes is to be the final installment of this rebooted franchise then it is by far a fitting finale. While it is full of excellent special effects and has its fare share of action sequences, this is more than just your average summer blockbuster. It is backed up by its profound layer of emotional depth and its many powerful themes including war, loss, and morality. It is a smart and subversive film at its core that opts to pull at ones heart strings instead of just attempting to thrill. War for the Planet of the Apes may not be as heavy on the action as the title suggests, but this definitely works in the films favour and makes for a much more thought-provoking film. I dare say it's one of my favourite films of the year so far. If you never believed that you could feel such pain and sorrow for fictional, CGI apes, this film may change your mind.