Caesar (Andy Serkis) and his fellow ape followers are pushed to the point of conflict after suffering unimaginable loses—including Caesar’s wife and son—at the hands of humans. He and his forces leave their camp to confront their attackers, eventually finding the humans at their military post, where more apes have been enslaved and a ruthless colonel (Woody Harrelson) is in charge. The past atrocities combined with the sight of his species being so badly mistreated leads Caesar to realize that a peaceful resolution of the human-ape conflict is no longer possible.
“War for the Planet of the Apes” is a dreary, violent movie and totally lacking in entertainment value. With Caesar being one of the few talking simians, there are a lot of subtitles. And the exchanges between the animals are symbolically bland and representative of the tone of this entire film. This film might have worked if was based upon some great classical work whose tragedy was necessary to tell the tale, but, sadly, this story is just someone’s idea of entertainment.
During their travels, the apes adopt a little blond girl who is orphaned when Caesar kills her father in a gun battle. This act is an absurd development in the film and apparently was intended to soften viewers’ attitudes toward the apes.
Harrelson is effective as the Nazi-esque leader of the human military group. Serkis as Caesar embodies a dignity and even charm despite being dressed in a an ape costume. Their efforts do little to improve this mess.
The suffering viewers endure is intensified by the fact that the film is more than two hours and long.
The 1970s classic hit song “War” asks and answers the question, “War, what is good for? Absolutely nothing!” That also describes the movie—it’s worth absolutely nothing! It’s rated PG-13 and it is dead, dead, on arrival!
