My favorite movie of 2011 thus far is Rise of the Planet of the Apes, hands down.
The movie featured incredible scenery and graphics, an engaging plot, and convincing acting. Each of these factors made for an extremely pleasurable movie-going experience.
The 3-D effects weren’t bad either.
I found myself engaged in the story, very much wanting the protagonists, the apes, to succeed in liberating themselves from the clutches of human tyranny. Caesar, the leader of the apes, proves to be not only a capable head-honcho, but a likeable character as well. The likeability of he and his adoptive human family tended to draw me into the plot even more.
Next, the action was ever-present and did not disappoint. The scene on the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco was both dramatic and fascinating from an effects standpoint. This epic battle that ends with quite a bang in one particular instance involving a helicopter. Needless to say, it is one of the most memorable moments throughout the film.
Climbing through the treetops with Caesar is the feeling the audience gets when seeing this film in 3-D, and it is a welcome feature. The beauty of the film shines throughout as the entire San Francisco Bay area is highlighted in glorious fashion. When the scenes featuring only the apes come onto the screen, the audience really gets a sense of being a part of the community. The sound effects only enhance that feeling.
Finally, the film left an opening for subsequent installments, and I thought it was only fitting since this is the type of movie that begs for a sequel. Though many aspects of the film were quite remarkable, there is always room for improvement, and it appears as if the creators are looking to do just that. I am very much looking forward to seeing how the story expands beyond the scope of Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
If you enjoy action, drama, and even humor, this film will be a ticket you won’t regret purchasing.
Michael C. Jones is an avid movie-goer and enjoys movies across several genres. Follow Michael on Twitter.