Go ape-shit for 'Apes'

I’m not sure how Rupert Wyatt or the producers convinced James Franco to be the leading actor; but before “Planet of the Apes” was released, it looked like Franco might be making a mistake.

Luckily for both us and Franco, the film came far from relying on the only star in the film.

The film is loosely veiled commentary on the potential dangers of animal testing, and it is most certainly PETA-approved.

Franco takes the role of a doctor working for pharmaceutical giant GEN-SYS developing a drug that will cure Alzheimer’s by increasing brain function.
I will assume that I need not delve into the plot any further, as it should be fairly obvious what leads to the chimpanzee’s increased intelligence.

Despite some over-the-top moments — including a laughable scene of apes leading a charge on horseback and the expected, yet painfully trying, scene of an ape’s first speech — these silly instances hardly ruin the film, which actually developed very patiently and quietly.

The show-stealing performance goes to Andy Serkis, who plays Caesar, the highly intellectualized chimp who ignites the ape revolution.

Serkis is the vanguard of a new acting technique called “performance capture.”
He’s the face and voice behind Gollom from “The Lord of the Rings” franchise as well as King Kong from Peter Jackson’s 2005 remake.

This “performance capturing” uses cameras and suits equipped with cutting-edge motion technology that transfers the actor’s movements, facial expressions and voice onto a digitally-produced image.

All of Caesar’s movements and actions were done by Serkis himself, and his performance will certainly be hard to ignore come Oscar season.  

Unfortunately, though, just as Serkis’ performance as Gollom was overlooked, it seems as if the Academy may still be too traditional to award an actor whose face we never see.

In many critical circles, there was little hope for this prequel — considering its relatively unknown director.

Opening to $54 million and generally favorable reviews, however, it seems as though Wyatt has dispelled any doubt.

He has managed to turn the inherently absurd plotline of “The Planet of the Apes” franchise into a summer blockbuster, even if we all feel a little less human after the experience.

By Jake Amrhein

Grade: B+