Following Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), this third installment in the franchise begins two years after the fight for existence erupted between enhanced primates and humans. A brutal attack by troops led by a renegade colonel (Woody Harrelson) causes peace-loving Caesar (Andy Serkis) to realize that his tribe must leave their forest habitat and find a new homeland. After organizing for their epic journey, Caesar is determined to find the colonel and wreak vengeance, recognizing—to his chagrin—that he is becoming more and more like human-hating Koba (Toby Kebbell) and his thuggish followers, who serve the humans as “donkeys.” Caesar is accompanied by the orangutan Maurice (Karin Konoval) and two cohorts. Riding horseback across snowy mountains, they find a mute orphaned girl (Amiah Miller), whose family was killed by the colonel's troops, as well as a precocious zoo chimpanzee, self-named “Bad Ape” (Steve Zahn). When they finally locate the shaven-headed colonel in his fortified compound, Caesar discovers that his nemesis is forcing captive apes to build a mysterious wall that is connected to a rapidly spreading virus that robs humans of their ability to speak. Inspired by Pierre Boulle's 1963 novel Planet of the Apes, director Matt Reeves's character-driven action-adventure strikes an elegiac note regarding humanity. Recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include audio commentary by director Matt Reeves, a behind-the-scenes featurette on “Waging War” (30 min.), the production segments “Apes: The Meaning of It All” (21 min.), “All About Caesar” (11 min.), “WETA: Pushing Boundaries” (11 min.), “The Apes Saga: An Homage” (8 min.), and “Music for Apes” (7 min.), as well as deleted scenes (22 min.), and a concept art gallery. Exclusive to the Blu-ray release are bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fine franchise entry.] (S. Granger)
War for the Planet of the Apes
Fox, 140 min., PG-13, DVD: $29.98, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $34.99, Oct. 24 Volume 32, Issue 5
War for the Planet of the Apes
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