Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Last night i went to see Rise of the Planet of the Apes. I had been looking forward to going for a few weeks so the bar was high and I was expecting a great film.



I hadn't seen any of the Planet of the Ape films before so i didn't really know what i had myself in for, i wanted to go and see it based off the fact that the trailer made it look great.



I am a BIG fan of anything 'monkey' so this was the film for me. I was gripped straight away when i saw a baby ape, the film could have finished then and i would have been satisfied. There was a good level of action and a little bit of romance. Really enjoying the film until the moment (and if you've not seen the film and don't want to know what happens, don't read on)....Cesar speaks. This for me spoilt it - Apes don't talk - FACT But after leaving the cinema and discussing the film with friends i learnt that in the original planet of the Apes films they do speak so they were not as bothered by this as me. Talking animals in what i thought was a somewhat serious film, didn't float my boat.



I have never really been a major fan of James Franco either, I've seen him in Spiderman and I am yet to watch 127hrs, but for me he has been put on my 'Actors to watch' list. Freida Pinto, personally wasn't the best actress for the role of Francos love interest, i found her a uninteresting. She didn't do a terrible job but i didn't really connect with her. Tom Fenlton on the other hand was a great choice for the role as 'Dodge'. After finishing Harry Potter you would have thought he would have stepped away from the moody, evil, teen role but it turns out that's what he does best. Throughout the film i waited for him to get his comeuppance and thankfully he does.



At the start of the film i knew the Apes were all played by people in rubber suits, Andy Serkis playing the lead role as Cesar but by the end of the film i had forgotten and it felt like i was watching real animals.



I like a film that leaves me thinking and this did just that - should we test things on animals?



Over all I really enjoyed the film and if another comes out i would go and see it.