RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
4 out of 5 stars

talk about a movie that goes ape-shit... LITERALLY. :P

the city of san francisco sure is in for a “treat” when gen-sys scientist will rodman (james franco) successfully develops a drug called AZL-112, which will help regenerate dead brain cells in humans (thus curing alzheimer’s) but enhance the intelligence in apes. will has been working on developing AZL-112 for the past five years, and he’s ecstatic when he hears that one of the chimps he’s been experimenting on is successfully solving problems and showing signs of heightened intelligence. while will is presenting to the board of gen-sys, bright eyes escapes from her cage, and becomes really aggressive with EVERYONE...eventually, the security guards have to shoot her down. so, will’s project basically gets shut down, and he discovers a small baby chimp inside bright eyes’ cage. (she wasn’t being aggressive- just protective of her young) will brings him home, and we discover that will lives with his father who has alzheimer’s. his dad and the chimp bond instantly, and pretty soon, caesar is a full member of the rodman family! will monitors caesar’s cognitive abilities and whatnot, and caesar soon longs to experience the world/live outdoors and ride bicycles with the neighborhood children. you realize that with caesar’s heightened intelligence, he starts to think for himself and begins to resent humans for mistreating his kind when he ends up in an animal shelter after attacking one of will’s neighbors. one can’t help but notice: LIBERTY...EQUALITY...FRATERNITY FOR ALL APES!!! :P

it’s an interesting story about how the apes take over the world and the extinction of the human race. (i don’t want to give it all away, but you’ll see what happens to the humans with the new and approved AZL-112) ceasar’s story is well-told, and you really connect with him as a central character in this movie. andy serkis AKA gollum in LOTR put on the chimp body suit to play caesar, and he really nails it...AGAIN. caesar’s personality AKA his wants/desires and his resentment for humans makes this movie worthwhile, and although he is an anti-hero, he really is a hero. one of my fave scenes is the final stand-off between the apes and the humans on the golden gate bridge. guess who ends up quarterbacking that fight? boo yeah... apes:1, humans: 0. ;)