Film review: War For The Planet Of The Apes (12A)

For me, Matt Reeves’ Planet Of The Apes reboot is one of the best surprises of the last cinematic decade.

After the 2001 offering directed by Tim Burton (and starring Mark Wahlberg) bombed, it felt like the popular series would be left in the past.

But I’m glad that Reeves had other ideas. If 2011’s Rise Of The Planet Of The Apes (Rise) was a solid start, 2014’s Dawn of The Planet Of The Apes (Dawn) was an incredible follow-up.

That upwards arc continues in the absolutely epic War For The Planet Of The Apes (War), which somehow manages to end the trilogy perfectly and leave you wanting more at the same time.

The story has moved on two years since we last saw Caesar (Andy Serkis), Maurice (Karin Konoval) and co pay for Koba’s (Toby Kebbell) mistakes and begin a battle with Earth’s remaining humans.

It’s now full on war, with the humans – led by Woody Harrelson’s unhinged “The Colonel” – seeking to destroy the apes once and for all.

Caesar, who initially wants peace with the humans, realises that the woods his apes live in are no longer safe and has plans to migrate his followers to pastures new.

However, hunting The Colonel soon becomes more important for Caesar, who simply can’t let his methods (let’s just say they are pretty unsavoury) go unpunished.

Indeed, instead of following his famous “apes, together, strong” slogan, Caesar isolates himself in this finale – falling into a similar trap as the unforgettable Koba in the last film.

I’ll not go into too much detail here as I’d hate to spoil what is a cinematic masterpiece.

But it’s fair to say that Caesar’s vendetta against The Colonel puts his entire group in danger, making it an emotional rollercoaster for one of cinema’s best ‘non-human’ characters.

The beauty of War is that you’re guaranteed to root for the apes – and that you’ll never question how real Caesar and co appear. The visual expertise used to bring these characters to life is simply stunning, too.

I was gripped from start to finish and at no point felt the 2.22hr running time dragged.

The lead characters excel, with Serkis’ performance as Caesar once again worthy of some kind of nomination.

Likewise, Harrelson – like James Franco and Jason Clarke before him – serves as an excellent human lead. It’s a very self-aware offering, which feels a little like something out of Apocalypse Now (or Ape-ocalypse Now, which is referenced).

Also impressing are the other new characters, most notably Steve Zahn’s ‘Bad Ape’ and Amiah Miller’s Nova.

Zahn, as ever, brings the comedic relief, while Miller’s mute character somehow manages to be one of the most powerful on show.

As a trilogy, Reeves really has created something special here. I’m struggling to think of anything better in recent times, truth be told.

War is the perfect finale as the best of the bunch – and is a bona fide masterpiece.

If you’re not aware of the trilogy yet, it really is time to get started. Simply put, it’s the best film I’ve seen at the cinema this year.

Voice Verdict: 10/10 (reviewed at Boston’s West End Cinema)
+ Absolutely epic finale to the trilogy
+ Serkis is amazing as Caesar
+ The visuals set new standards
+ Woody Harrelson

SHOWTIMES
Boston’s West End Cinema (Fri, July 21 to Thurs, July 27)

**DUNKIRK (12A)
10.30am (daily), 1pm (daily), 3.30pm (daily), 6pm (daily), 8.45pm (daily)

**GIRLS TRIP (15)
8.30pm (Wed/Thurs)

**CAPTAIN UNDERPANTS (U)
2D – 12.20pm (Mon-Thurs)

CARS 3 (U)
2D – 10am (daily), 12.30pm (daily), 3pm (daily), 5.30pm (not Sun), 6pm (Sun)

WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (12A)
2D – 2.20pm (daily), 5.20pm (not Tues), 8.20pm (daily)

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING (12A)
2D – noon (not Wed), 2.45pm (not Sun), 5.30pm (not Sat/Thurs), 8.20pm (daily)

DESPICABLE ME 3 (U)
2D – noon (daily), 4.20pm (daily), 8.45pm (not Sat/Wed/Thurs)

3D – 10am (daily), 2.10pm (daily), 6.30pm (daily)

BABY DRIVER (15)
8pm (not Thurs)

KIDS’ CLUB
A DOGS PURPOSE (PG)
10.15am (Daily)

SMURFS: THE LOST  VILLAGE (U)
10am (not Wed)

SILVER SCREEN
Wed 11.30am – Spider-Man: Homecoming (12A)

SUBTITLED SHOWING
Tuesday 5.20pm – War for the Planet of the Apes 2D (12A)

**FREE LIST SUSPENDED

South Holland Centre
(Fri, July 21 to Thurs, July 27)

ROCK DOG (PG)
11am (Tues), 2pm (Sat/Mon)

THE HIPPOPOTAMUS (15)
2pm (Tues), 7.30pm (Mon)

KING ARTHUR: LEGEND OF THE SWORD (12A)
2pm (Wed/Thurs), 6.30pm (Thurs), 7.30pm (Tues/Wed)