Rise of the Planet of the Apes Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Scientist gives ape Alzheimer’s cure, ape gets smart, other apes get smart, and they all escape, causing global pandemic and ape takeover because everyone is terrible at planning.

🍿 Rise of the Planet of the Apes: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Genesis of Caesar

Scientist Will Rodman is working tirelessly to find a cure for Alzheimer’s, a disease that plagues his father. His research involves testing a drug called ALZ-112 on chimpanzees. One particular chimp, Bright Eyes, shows remarkable cognitive abilities, but is later killed after an outburst in the lab. Will discovers Bright Eyes was protecting her newborn, whom he names Caesar, and decides to raise him. Caesar inherits his mother’s enhanced intelligence, displaying human-like qualities as he grows. Will sees this as a success and secretly treats his father with ALZ-112, which temporarily restores his cognitive function. Caesar’s advanced intelligence and emotional capacity create a strong bond with Will and his father.

Captivity and Realization

As Caesar matures, he yearns for a sense of belonging beyond his human family. After an incident where he defends Will’s father from a hostile neighbor, Caesar is placed in a primate sanctuary. There, he experiences harsh treatment and witnesses the cruel reality of animal captivity. This environment fosters resentment and a growing understanding of his own kind’s plight. Caesar encounters other apes, including the aggressive alpha male, Rocket, and the wise orangutan, Maurice, who knows sign language. He observes the power dynamics and begins to question his place in the world, ultimately realizing he is not like the humans he once knew.

The Uprising

Driven by a desire for freedom and justice, Caesar plots his escape. He obtains a more potent version of the drug, ALZ-113, and shares it with the other apes, significantly boosting their intelligence and abilities. United under Caesar’s leadership, the apes break free from the sanctuary and liberate other captive apes from the zoo and Gen-Sys. The apes begin a revolt against humanity, making their way across San Francisco, causing chaos and destruction. The apes are met with force, but their enhanced intelligence and agility, combined with Caesar’s strategic planning, make them a formidable force.

Confrontation on the Golden Gate Bridge

The climax sees the apes facing off against the police on the Golden Gate Bridge. Caesar displays exceptional tactical prowess, leading his forces with cunning strategies. The conflict results in significant losses on both sides. Will and his girlfriend, Caroline, race to the bridge in hopes of reaching Caesar and ending the violence. The corporation head, Steven Jacobs, attempts to eliminate Caesar from a helicopter, but the apes bring it down in a dramatic showdown. The apes continue their march towards the Muir Woods, seeking a new home and a life free from human control.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Caesar (Andy Serkis): A chimpanzee who gains human-like intelligence from an experimental drug and leads an ape uprising.
• Will Rodman (James Franco): A scientist researching a cure for Alzheimer’s who becomes the caretaker of Caesar and inadvertently sparks the ape revolution.
• Charles Rodman (John Lithgow): Will’s father, suffering from Alzheimer’s, who is used as a test subject for the experimental drug with both positive and negative consequences.
• Caroline Aranha (Freida Pinto): A primatologist and Will’s girlfriend who provides support and insight into the apes’ behavior.
• Dodge Landon (Tom Felton): A cruel and sadistic employee at the ape sanctuary who mistreats Caesar, fueling the ape’s hatred towards humans.
• Steven Jacobs (David Oyelowo): The ambitious and greedy head of the pharmaceutical company who prioritizes profits over ethical concerns, driving the research to dangerous levels.
• Buck – Ape (Richard Ridings): A gorilla within the ape sanctuary who shows both strength and loyalty to Caesar in their fight for freedom.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Caesar: “Caesar is home.” – Spoken to Will, Caesar chooses his ape family over his human one, marking a pivotal moment in his transformation and independence.
• Caesar: “No!” – Caesar’s first word, screamed at Dodge Landon, asserting his dominance and beginning his rebellion against human oppression.
• Will Rodman: “This isn’t a pet. This is a highly intelligent being.” – Will defends Caesar’s capabilities to his father, highlighting the ethical implications of treating Caesar as just an animal.
• Caesar: “Apes together strong!” – Caesar uses sign language to unite all the apes before the final confrontation.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $93,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $176,760,185
• Worldwide Gross: $481,800,873

💥 Rise of the Planet of the Apes Reviews

Personal Review

I went into this movie expecting just another dumb action flick, but I was completely blown away. Andy Serkis’s performance as Caesar is incredible; you genuinely feel his struggle and his anger. The scene where Caesar first speaks – goosebumps! It’s a thrilling ride, but it also makes you think about how we treat animals. Definitely one of my favorite movies of the year.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of science fiction films”
  • “Viewers interested in animal intelligence and rights”
  • “Those who enjoy action-packed thrillers with a strong narrative”
  • “Fans of the Planet of the Apes franchise”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Violence and action sequences”
  • “Animal cruelty and mistreatment”
  • “Some disturbing images”
  • “Themes of social injustice”

Professional Reviews

• Empire Magazine: “A surprisingly intelligent and thrilling reboot. Serkis’s performance as Caesar is groundbreaking, creating a sympathetic and complex character through motion capture. Though the human characters are less developed, the film’s themes of animal rights and scientific ethics resonate.
• The Hollywood Reporter: “Rise transcends its blockbuster origins. While the action sequences are impressive, the core of the film lies in Caesar’s emotional journey. The movie explores the complexities of intelligence and freedom, with Serkis delivering a performance that redefines what can be achieved with CGI.
• Variety: “A gripping and thought-provoking origins story. ‘Rise’ successfully combines visual spectacle with an engaging narrative. The film’s exploration of scientific hubris and animal cruelty adds depth, making it more than just another summer action movie.

Audience Reactions

Viewers loved Caesar’s character development, citing Andy Serkis’s motion capture as phenomenal.: Audiences praise the film’s blend of action and emotional depth, highlighting the compelling ape characters.

Regular viewers loved the well-done CGI and motion capture performance of Caesar.: Most agree that the film respects the original series while providing a fresh, exciting prequel.

Overall Consensus: A thrilling and surprisingly intelligent prequel that balances action with strong character development, particularly in the groundbreaking performance of Andy Serkis as Caesar.

Awards

1. Saturn Award (Best Science Fiction Film)- 2012

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Andy Serkis’s performance as Caesar was so groundbreaking that many called for him to receive an Oscar nomination, a rare achievement for motion-capture acting.”
• “The filmmakers consulted with primatologists to accurately portray ape behavior, even down to the smallest gestures and vocalizations.”
• “The spreading virus in the end credits is a direct nod to the original ‘Planet of the Apes’ films, foreshadowing the downfall of humanity.”
• “The character Dodge Landon, played by Tom Felton, is a direct reference to Dodge, the astronaut played by Jeff Burton in the original 1968 ‘Planet Of The Apes.'”

🖥️ How to Watch Rise of the Planet of the Apes?

Rise of the Planet of the Apes is available to rent or buy on various platforms including Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play, and Vudu. Check local listings for streaming options and cable availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Rise of the Planet of the Apes, you might like these similar films:

• Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972): Directly follows the themes of ape uprising and Caesar’s leadership, providing a glimpse into the future hinted at in ‘Rise’.
• Outbreak (1995): Focuses on a rapidly spreading, deadly virus and the race against time to contain it, similar to the ALZ-113 subplot in ‘Rise’.
• King Kong (2005): Features Andy Serkis in motion capture as the titular ape, showcasing his talent for bringing primate characters to life with depth and emotion.
• War for the Planet of the Apes (2017): Continues Caesar’s journey as a leader during conflict with humans. Expands the scope of the ape-human war shown at the end of ‘Rise’.
• District 9 (2009): Explores themes of societal segregation, mistreatment of a species, and an unexpected transformation, creating empathy for a non-human protagonist.

🛒 Rise of the Planet of the Apes Related Products

• Planet of the Apes 5-Movie Collection [Blu-ray]: Relive the entire original Planet of the Apes saga with this Blu-ray collection. Watch how it all began and how it dramatically concludes, with the original series.
• Planet of the Apes: The Evolution Collection [Blu-ray]: Own the complete modern Planet of the Apes trilogy with this Blu-ray collection. This includes Rise, Dawn, and War for the Planet of the Apes.
• NECA Planet of The Apes (1968) – 7″ Scale Action Figures – General Ursus: A highly detailed General Ursus action figure from the original 1968 film, perfect for collectors and fans of the franchise, featuring multiple points of articulation and accessories.
• Planet of the Apes Movie Poster Prints – Set of 6 (8×10): Set of 6 8×10 iconic prints of original Planet of the Apes and related movies. High quality prints to showcase the best of the original movies

🎧 Soundtrack

Rise of the Planet of the Apes features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Becoming Human” – performed by Patrick Doyle
• “Caesar’s Home” – performed by Patrick Doyle
• “Escape from the Primate Shelter” – performed by Patrick Doyle
• “Clair de Lune” – performed by Claude Debussy

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

The ape solved the Tower of Hanoi perfectly | Movie title: Rise of the Planet of the Apes | #movie

Check out this thought-provoking clip from ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ that shows just how smart Caesar really is. It’s incredible how well-trained he is, and it makes me wonder if apes might outsmart us all someday.

Rise of the Planet of the Apes ‘WETA Vfx’ Featurette (2011)

Dive into the fascinating world of special effects with this featurette from ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’. You’ll get to see how they brought Caesar and the other apes to life on the big screen, and it’s truly impressive stuff.

VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 134

Ever wondered how the amazing visuals in ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’ were created? This video by Corridor Crew gives you an insider’s look, with VFX artists reacting to and breaking down different scenes. It’s a fascinating watch for anyone interested in filmmaking or special effects.

Analyzing Evil: Koba From The Planet of The Apes Franchise

If you’re intrigued by the character of Koba in ‘Rise of the Planet of the Apes’, this video is a must-watch. YouTuber The Vile Eye does a fantastic job of analyzing Koba’s motivations, actions, and overall impact on the story. It’s a great way to gain a deeper understanding of one of the film’s most compelling characters.

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