300 years after the reign of Caesar, Noa, a young chimpanzee, embarks on a journey alongside Mae, a human woman, to find his kidnapped clan.
Directed by Wes Ball, Kingdom of the Apes is a visually stunning addition to the Planet of the Apes franchise, though it falls short of reaching the heights of its some of its predecessors including the original.
Accompanied by John Paesano's score the film's visual effects are nothing short of breathtaking, with computer-generated primates that are hyper-real and incredibly detailed, rivaling the best in modern cinema. Ball's direction ensures that the action sequences are top-notch, delivering some truly standout moments. The voice (and motion capture) acting is fantastic notably from Owen Teague (Noa), Kevin Durand (Proximus Caesar) and Peter Macon, (Raka, orangutan).
While the apes are brought to life with impressive realism and depth, the human characters feel somewhat two-dimensional, lacking the complexity or depth needed. There's no time-traveling connection to the shuttle launch teased in 'Rise'. The lack of character development, combined with the absence of the classic "fish out of water" dynamic explored in Planet of the Apes (1968) and Tim Burton's remake, makes the film feel a little flat.
Freya Allan's Mae, while central to the plot, unfortunately comes across as more of a plot device than a fully realised character. William H. Macy's Trevathan adds weight but feels like a thrown-in addition.
Writer Josh Friedman's narrative structure also seems to strain under the weight of setting up future sequels, particularly in the third act. This focus on franchise-building over storytelling diminishes the impact of what could have been a more powerful conclusion. It may not be perfect, but it's a good time for those willing to appreciate its thoughtful, if somewhat flawed, storytelling. The film's slow pace might not appeal to everyone, but Ball's visuals still manage to provide an engaging experience throughout.
Overall, with its rich visuals and compelling ape characters Kingdom of the Apes is a well-crafted traditional epic that handily justifies the continuation of the series.
