War for the Planet of the Apes Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

Apes get really mad at a bald guy, so they go on a road trip to yell at him, but then it snows really hard.

🍿 War for the Planet of the Apes: Detailed Plot Synopsis

Ape Outpost Ambush and Retaliation

Two years after Koba’s uprising, Caesar leads his apes against a rogue U.S. military faction, Alpha-Omega, led by a ruthless Colonel. Alpha-Omega employs apes loyal to Koba, called “donkeys.” After an Alpha-Omega attack on an ape outpost fails, Caesar releases the captured soldiers to show mercy, hoping to broker peace. However, the Colonel retaliates by infiltrating the ape’s home, killing Caesar’s wife, Cornelia, and his eldest son, Blue Eyes. Fueled by vengeance, Caesar leaves his younger son in the care of others and sets out with a small group to hunt down the Colonel.

The Journey and Encounters Along the Way

Caesar’s group, consisting of Maurice, Luca, and Rocket, encounters Nova, a mute young girl who is befriended by Maurice. They also find Winter, a gorilla who betrayed them and volunteered to be a “donkey.” In an attempt to silence Winter, Caesar unintentionally kills him, grappling with the morality of his actions and the specter of becoming like Koba. They later meet Bad Ape, a chimpanzee hermit who leads them to the Colonel’s encampment. The group discovers that the Colonel’s forces are holding hundreds of apes captive.

Captivity, Mutation and Holy War

Caesar learns the apes are forced to build a wall and are being starved. He’s captured and confronts the Colonel, who reveals that the Simian Flu has mutated, causing humans to devolve and lose speech. The Colonel explains that he is trying to prevent the spread of the virus and that he will kill his own son to save humanity. Caesar is moved by the Colonel’s resolve, but also sickened by his fanaticism. Nova helps Caesar while he’s held captive. After Rocket allows himself to be captured as a diversion, they escape and free the other apes.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Caesar (Andy Serkis): The intelligent chimpanzee leader of the apes, who grapples with his darker instincts as he seeks to avenge his kind and ensure their survival.
• The Colonel (Woody Harrelson): The ruthless and fanatical leader of Alpha-Omega, who wages a brutal war against the apes in his desperate attempt to save humanity.
• Maurice (Karin Konoval): A wise orangutan and Caesar’s trusted advisor, who provides counsel and compassion throughout their journey.
• Bad Ape (Steve Zahn): A former zoo chimpanzee with a child-like demeanor who becomes an unlikely ally to Caesar and his group.
• Nova (Amiah Miller): A mute young girl who forms a bond with the apes and represents the potential for connection between the two species.
• Rocket (Terry Notary): Caesar’s loyal and steadfast lieutenant, who serves as a key member of his inner circle.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Caesar: “I did not start this war.” – Caesar states this to the captured humans, emphasizing his desire for peace before the conflict escalated.
• Caesar: “I offered you peace.” – Caesar continues to explain to the captured humans that he tried to avoid war.
• Caesar: “I showed you mercy.” – Caesar emphasizes his past actions of compassion towards humans.
• Caesar: “Now you’re here… to finish us off… for good.” – Caesar expresses his realization that the humans’ intent is the complete destruction of the apes.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $150,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $146,880,162
• Worldwide Gross: $490,719,763

💥 War for the Planet of the Apes Reviews

Personal Review

I was completely blown away by this movie. The CGI is incredible, but it’s the emotional depth that really got to me. Caesar’s journey is heartbreaking, and the ending left me in tears. When Caesar said, “Apes together strong,” I felt that in my soul. The cinematography is outstanding, especially during the avalanche sequence, and the movie’s deeper themes about prejudice and survival are really impactful.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of science fiction and action films.”
  • “Viewers who appreciate thoughtful storytelling and character development.”
  • “Those who enjoy films with impressive visual effects and motion capture performances.”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Intense violence and war themes.”
  • “Some disturbing images and scenes.”
  • “Mature themes related to prejudice and genocide.”

Professional Reviews

• Rotten Tomatoes: “A visually stunning and emotionally resonant conclusion to the trilogy, War for the Planet of the Apes delivers both thrilling action and thought-provoking commentary on humanity.
• Rolling Stone: “An ambitious and gripping spectacle, the film blends cutting-edge effects with a surprisingly intimate story of leadership, loss, and the struggle for survival.
• Empire: “A monumental achievement in visual effects and storytelling, War for the Planet of the Apes is a powerful and poignant film that transcends its genre.

Audience Reactions

The apes’ expressive faces and realistic movements made them feel incredibly human.: Viewers were amazed by the visual effects and motion capture performances, especially Andy Serkis as Caesar.

The powerful emotional resonance left many viewers deeply moved and contemplative.: The film’s poignant storyline and exploration of complex themes resonated strongly with audiences.

Overall Consensus: A visually stunning, emotionally powerful, and thought-provoking conclusion to the Planet of the Apes trilogy, praised for its performances, effects, and thematic depth.

Awards

1. Critics’ Choice Movie Award (Best Visual Effects)- 2018

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The 20th Century Fox fanfare is played through the use of Congo drums instead of the traditional percussion instruments.”
• “The water dumped on Caesar around 1:27:00 was supposed to be warm, but the crew forgot to heat it up. Caesar’s shocked reaction is authentic. They were all apologetic afterward, but Andy Serkis said that it worked for the scene.”

🖥️ How to Watch War for the Planet of the Apes?

War for the Planet of the Apes is available for streaming on platforms such as Prime Video and Apple TV. You can also purchase or rent the movie on these platforms, as well as on Google Play Movies and Vudu. Check your local listings for cable on-demand options.

🎥 Similar Movies

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

• Apocalypse Now (1979): The Colonel’s character and storyline share thematic similarities with Colonel Kurtz in ‘Apocalypse Now,’ exploring the descent into madness and the moral ambiguities of war.
• The Great Escape (1963): Features elements of a prison escape narrative, as the apes attempt to free themselves from the human military compound.
• Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011): The first movie in the prequel series that shows the origins of the apes’ intelligence and Caesar’s rise to leadership, which is a good place to start before watching this film.

🛒 War for the Planet of the Apes Related Products

• War for the Planet of the Apes (4K Ultra HD + Blu-ray + Digital): Experience the epic conclusion of the trilogy in stunning 4K Ultra HD, with bonus features and behind-the-scenes content.
• NECA Planet of the Apes – 7″ Scale Action Figure – Caesar: Highly detailed action figure of Caesar, featuring multiple points of articulation and movie-accurate accessories.
• Funko Pop! Movie: War for The Planet of The Apes – Maurice: Collectible vinyl figure of Maurice from War for the Planet of the Apes. Stands 3.75 inches tall.
• War for the Planet of the Apes: The Art of the Film: Go behind the scenes of the movie with stunning concept art, storyboards, and interviews with the filmmakers.

🎧 Soundtrack

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

• “Apes’ Past Is Prologue” – performed by Michael Giacchino
• “The Ecstasy of Gold” – performed by Ennio Morricone
• “Planet of the Apes Main Title” – performed by Jerry Goldsmith

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

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Bad Ape joins Squid Game

Ever wondered what it would be like if ‘Squid Game’ featured a badass ape from ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’? This video delivers an epic mash-up that will have you cheering for the underdog.

Every Ape in Planet of the Apes Explained | WIRED

Curious about the diverse ape species in the ‘Planet of the Apes’ movies? Join a renowned expert in this WIRED video as they break down each type, giving you a fascinating glimpse into the film’s creation.

VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi 134

Calling all film buffs! In this video, VFX experts from Corridor Crew dissect the groundbreaking CGI of the ‘Planet of the Apes’ trilogy. Get ready for an eye-opening journey into the world of visual effects.

Diagnosing Koba – War for the Planet of the Apes (Psychological Analysis)

Dive into the mind of Koba, the enigmatic character from ‘War for the Planet of the Apes’! This video offers a thought-provoking psychological analysis, exploring the motivations and inner struggles that drive this complex character.

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