Caesar (Andy Serkis – Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Avengers: Age of Ultron) and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel (Woody Harrelson – Now You See Me 2, Triple 9). The apes suffer heavy losses, pushing Caesar to fight his instincts, as his darker side surfaces. He sets out seeking vengeance, on a journey that will take him into danger, and put many lives, both ape and human, at risk.
The group are joined along the way by the very different, but amusing, Bad Ape (Steve Zahn – The Good Dinosaur) and a young human girl, Nova (Amiah Miller), who does not speak. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.
War for the Planet of the Apes pushes the story, ups the stakes, and intensifies the action. Not to mention adding a lot more emotion, the film takes us on a ride that leads the characters to some self-reflection, resulting in dire consequences, should they choose wrong, each side fighting for their race, their species, their family and the planet.
Amidst the intense action, there is but a moment to pause and admire the scale of the films various settings, and marvel at the incredible visual effects, that blend seamlessly with real life, and then a moment later, silence as the tension mounts once more.
The film continues the series, directed once more by Matt Reeves (Dawn of the Planet of the Apes), upping the ante in this third installment. War of the Planet of the Apes bring action, suspense, and story to a world we’ve come to know. For those who have not seen the previews films, now is a good time to binge watch.
War of the Planet of the Apes opens 14 July 2017 in South African cinemas.
