Review- The Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Scientist Will Rodman (James Franco) is working on a chemically engineered virus that is designed to give brand new genetic material to a living creature. With hopes of curing diseases like Alzheimer’s Rodman starts his testing on chimpanzees and discovers that the virus not only creates new genetic material but increases brain function and motor skills at a incredible rate. One of the test chimps called “bright eyes” shows such increased intelligence, being able to complete complex puzzles and communicate easily, that Rodman pushes for human trials. An outburst of agression and rage from the promising chimpanzee shuts the program down before Rodman can find a cure for his dying father. After putting down all the test chimpanzees, a fellow scientist finds an infant in “bright eyes” cage and realizes that the mother only showed aggression because she was protecting her baby. Filled with compassion he gives the baby to an unwilling Rodman who reluctantly takes and raises the chimp. “Caesar” (Andy Serkis) inherits his mothers advanced genes and learns at an incredible rate, being able to reason and communicate. After an accident with a neighbor Caesar is taken away from Rodman where he is placed in cruel conditions with other zoo apes. Caesar feels betrayed and soon plots to gain his freedom with his fellow primates. Caesar sneaks out of the preserve to Rodman’s house and steals more of the samples of the virus and releases it to the other apes in captivity. Quickly gaining a conciousness and intelligence the other primates follow Caesar’s leadership and run wild through San Francisco destroying any attempts at control by the police, and eventually find refuge in the forest. Meanwhile the released virus at the pharmaceutical company has the reverse effect on humans, becoming wildly contagious, and spreads throughout the world quickly, implying the eventual downfall of the human race.
I had low expectations for this movie, simply because the first remake was such a let down and because the original version with Charlton Heston was such a classic. Coming in from a low perspective I was able to appreciate the entertaining value of the movie. It is easy to become attached to the lovable character of Caesar and then be on their side when the police are trying to stop their escape. The action was done well, not over doing the CGI to the point of ridiculousness. It was a bit slow at first but the acting is solid enough to keep your attention. I give it 3.5 stars out of 5 for an entertaining remake with a surprisingly believable screenplay for a movie about apes becoming the dominant species on earth. I will definitely look for a sequel continuing the story.
Watchers: definitely watch it!
Collectors: worth buying!