Rise of the Planet of the Apes

[funthing29]

And did I imagine this, or did the 3-year old Caesar do a rude hand-to-mouth gesture, when he was first taken to the vet? I'm sure few other people giggled at that moment!

Nope, you didn't imagine it!

[prettyxcool]

Well that was a complete mess. Not the film, the film was awesome. But i was meant to meet Prettyxcool at Shepherds Bush at 10 to let in her friend with my ticket's plus one. I got there at 9:45 and waited by the seats in the lobby and texted them to let them know i had arrived.

Hey sorry about the mess - blame my flipping mobile phone not working! I can't believe it, we arrived at 10am and the cinema foyer was empty! I text you to say that I had arrived and I had a red bag. Waited until 10.10am, and thought this is silly, may be you and my friend were held up (together perhaps! hehe). I did not know that you had already text me to say you were in! Damn mobile! So I told the person at the door was it all right if we waited inside for our friends (I was thinking better get in to save seats!), and she says ok, what's your friend's names etc. Anyway, I saved seats, and then decided to reboot my mobile, and then saw your text to say that you are in already, phew. I felt so bad as it looked like I let you down, and what a disappointment not to have met up! I looked out for you with those fab t-shirts - and did try to call you straight after the film, but your phone was off. But much appreciated, TheOnes, for your spare, my friend says thanks very much, she loved the film!

Shepherds Bush was packed, even those four rows at the front which had your noses almost touching the screens, with only a few seats spare.

The film and CGI was awesome! Andy Serkis is brilliant and it shows one really don't need words to speak volumes! All the apes had real depth, character and soul, and I was really moved by Caesar. Totally could identify with the Alzheimer's story, with James Franco (Harry in Spiderman, 127 Hours) and his father, John Lithgow (great acting). Tom Felton destined to playing a Draco Malfoy character again! Some plot holes, but great script, great action, altogether really entertaining. 9.5/10

[alythonian]

Wow! You guys all loved this.

I absolutely hated it. I thought it was dire. I was sooooooooooooooo bored and unimpressed except for the scenery and the giant redwoods, reminded me of being there a few years ago.

Really sorry to dampen the spirits here but I guess we can't all like the same thing. OH liked it.

[TheDude]

Anyway, I may have to see this again tomorrow and miss Project Nim! Definitely one of this year’s best... 9/10

You could watch it next Thursday instead and don't miss Project Nim?

Hmm, that is an option, but I've got Apes tomorrow just down the road and can't wait til Thursday. Plus I don't mind waiting for Project Nim until it's on tv..

[TheDude]

the scenery and the giant redwoods, reminded me of being there a few years ago.

Same here, had a wander around the beautiful Muir Woods, if I remember well it's a bit of a drive from SF, I've never climbed one of those trees, but I wonder if you do get that view of the city from up there...

[valda]

And did I imagine this, or did the 3-year old Caesar do a rude hand-to-mouth gesture, when he was first taken to the vet? I'm sure few other people giggled at that moment!

Nope, you didn't imagine it!

I thought I was seeing things

[evilzadi]

So who's going tomorrow to Greenwich?

[hopeprince]

Going again but will see it at Wimbledon.

[marisadrummie]

Just checking in to let you guys know this film is brilliant. Loved it. Was worried it might be like the last new Planet of the Apes movie as wasn't impressed by that but thought this was great. Go see when it comes out!

[TheyCallMeMrGlass]

I was there at Sheperds Bush this morning, I was very early too! Had my big cricket bag with me and wearing my cricket trousers because I had to shoot off to my cricket match straight after the fim. The ticket attendants didnt even flinch at my wheelie bag and my very white appearance...which surprised me as I thought I easily looked like someone who just escaped from an asylum. But anyway, with a cappucino and hot dog in my hand which cost £8 (look I was hungry sorry, I-I had no choice ) , I wheeled me bag to the front row of the middle stalls which was perfect to lay my bag down and I reckon best spot to watch the movie. I even used my cricket bag as a foot rest!

I only knew of Valda going to this screening so I kept an eye out for her to invite her to sit next to me and sure enough (albeit at 10:20am) she walked right past me with some very serious focussing on vacant seats (which by now looked to be quite full), so I hulla'd at her so loud everyone turned their heads, and then she saw me and joined me. Was good to see you Val

Anyway, onto the movie. I had by this morning sobered up a little from my giddiness at watching Super 8 yesterday. Little did I expect that I was going to be floored once again and this time knocked out of the park in the next 1hour and 45mins.

I want to find a word to describe this movie that no one else has used because this films deserves a new adjective. What shall it be? I know BRILLIFICENT! Yes that's it, Brillificent. No it deserves better than that but it will do. Who ever played Ceasar has a very promising career ahead of him, that ape can bloody act. He makes Charlton Heston look like a school play actor in comparison. His emotional nuances and truly awesome badass moments are just unforgettable...I'll just look up who this ape is in IMDB...WHAT? The ape aint real?...what the...CGI? no way! He's real, he must be real...OK I'll have to accept it, he was CGI...my god have they finally come a long way. And ok Andy Serkis once again deserves credit for his brilliant miming skills but so do the CGI aimation team at Weta.

I did notice that the CGI character who looked like James Franco was not as realistic but sometime he looked convi....wait...that was a real HUMAN?!? It WAS James Franco?!?.....oh.

Ok enough with CGI talk as it almost does the film injustice. After all, good CGI is meant to be unnoticed. The fact is, the apes were believable and so real. Well, apart from the odd moments of abnormal physics such as when an ape was put on a stretcher as if it was as light as a feather. But Ceasar was the star, he carried this movie. And not just carried it, I think he will be iconic...at least certainly more memorable than Roddy McDowell's Caesar in the original Apes movies.

Talking of which, the nods to original Planet of the Apes absolutely tickled me and incredibly, it actually ties in very neatly with the classic. But I wont go into details as that will be going into spoilers. I will say this definitely ignores the 3rd, 4th, and 5th Apes movies. But that's fine. This is a superior alternative by a LONG way.

The human story was also a moving one with John Lithgow tugging the heartstring most. But so was James Franco :) I know I had a poke at him earlier but it was an irresistable joke. I always like him since the Spiderman movies, I think he has movie star quality and though his range is limited, he is engaging. I emoted with him on his pursuit of a cure for his father. His girlfriend was a little stiff in her dialogue though and kind of threw me off slightly. But even though the human story was engaging, it was Caesar's journey that drew me in like a 100 ton magnet.

Oh and the sweeping camera work and cinematography was absolutely breathtaking. God, I want to see this movie again so badly.

I am so grateful to the makers of this movie for truly burying my memories of Burton's diabolical remake. Here is a film that will not only make Ape fans absolutely elated but a film that holds its own, standing head and shoulders above the best movies of the year so far. I want to see this film nominated for Best Picture, it is that bloody great. Hell, I want to see it even win.

What a summer of blockbusters...Thor, Xmen, HP, Super 8 all made me feel giddy. But after seeing Rise of the Planet of the Awesome Apes...I feel drunk, very drunk.

Rating: 9.5/10.