Fans of the original PLANET OF THE APES franchise films will be pleased, while those who were less than enthralled will be drawn in by Wes Ball’s direction of KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. For the first time, I’ve been interested in one of the PLANET OF THE APES films from start to finish.
(L-R): Soona (played by Lydia Peckham) and Noa (played by Owen Teague) in 20th Century Studios’ KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES Review
KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES is a coming-of-age story for a young ape named Noa (Owen Teague) but also addresses common themes of race and class and encourages us to hold a mirror up to society and consider what we’re doing with technology.
While KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES starts a bit too slowly and could have lost about 20 minutes of fluff, once the film picks up, its luscious visual delicacy of non-stop fight sequences through the end of the film is the reward for not bailing during the slow start.
(L-R): Noa (played by Owen Teague) and Raka (played by Peter Macon) in 20th Century Studios’ KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
In addition to the thrilling action sequences and stunning CGI visuals, some superb casting choices lend to the excellence and flow of the film.
Proximus Caesar (played by Kevin Durand) in 20th Century Studios’ KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Kevin Durand’s performance as Proximus Caesar is stellar. Durand certainly makes you want more the way he commands every scene he’s in, even though he’s an awful villain.
(L-R): Noa (played by Owen Teague), Soona (played by Lydia Peckham), and Anaya (played by Travis Jeffery) in 20th Century Studios’ KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Owen Teague as Noa is another spot-on casting choice. Teague leads with heart and his young, familial bond to his Eagle Clan shows in each scene.
(Left): Raka (played by Peter Macon) in 20th Century Studios’ KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Peter Macon as Raka lends a Yoda/Zazu vibe. Ever-knowing and wise in his years yet provides a touch of levity as it is needed, right up to the very end.
(Center): Freya Allan as Nova in 20th Century Studios’ KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Freya Allen is perfect as Nova/Mae. Her casting choice amplifies her introduction as a young “echo,” incapable of possessing the “abilities” she has. When Raka and Noa discover she can, in fact, talk, the entire audience chuckles.
(L-R): Noa (played by Owen Teague) , Freya Allan as Nova and Raka (played by Peter Macon) in 20th Century Studios’ KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024.
The ability to deliver heartfelt moments and deadpan comedy amidst a battle film takes nuance that not every film can deliver and KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES did, while ending with an excellent setup for the next chapter in the story.
Verdict
Going in, I truly was unsure how I was going to feel about this movie, but Wes Ball’s direction made me enjoy a film from a franchise I previously cared nothing about. Overall, it’s an excellent addition to the universe supported by stellar acting and storytelling with a perfect setup for the next chapter.
About KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
An all-new action-adventure spectacle, 20th Century Studios’ “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” opens exclusively in theaters nationwide May 10, 2024. Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
(L-R): Anaya (played by Travis Jeffery), Noa (played by Owen Teague), and Soona (played by Lydia Peckham) in 20th Century Studios’ KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
“Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” is directed by Wes Ball (the “Maze Runner” trilogy) and stars Owen Teague (“IT”), Freya Allan (“The Witcher”), Kevin Durand (“Locke & Key”), Peter Macon (“Shameless”), and William H. Macy (“Fargo”). The screenplay is by Josh Friedman (“War of the Worlds”) and Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver (“Avatar: The Way of Water”) and Patrick Aison (“Prey”), based on characters created by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver, and the producers are Wes Ball, Joe Hartwick, Jr., p.g.a. (“The Maze Runner”), Rick Jaffa, p.g.a., Amanda Silver, p.g.a., Jason Reed, p.g.a. (“Mulan”), with Peter Chernin (the “Planet of the Apes” trilogy) and Jenno Topping (“Ford v. Ferrari”) serving as executive producers.
Freya Allan as Nova in 20th Century Studios’ KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2024 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.
Genre: Action-Adventure
Runtime:145 mins
Rating: PG-13
Directed by: Wes Ball
Screenplay by: Josh Friedman and Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Patrick Aison
Based on Characters Created by: Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver
Produced by: Wes Ball; Joe Hartwick, Jr., p.g.a.; Rick Jaffa, p.g.a.; Amanda Silver; p.g.a.; Jason Reed, p.g.a.
Executive Producers: Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping
Cast: Owen Teague, Freya Allan, Kevin Durand, Peter Macon, and William H. Macy
KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES is in theaters May 10, 2024
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