Rise of the Planet of the Apes
Before this movie I had never seen a Planet of the Apes film. None of the ones with Charlton Heston, or even the version directed by Tim Burton, did I see. It was not until Rise of the Planet of the Apes that I was even all that intrigued to see one of the films. There was something about this one that was interesting. Then to have James Franco in the cast, well, that just made me want to see it more. When I received the disc I got a very happy surprise. Not only is Mr. Franco a part of this film, but John Lithgow is as well. With two actors I highly respect, I was all set to watch.
Searching for a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, scientist Will (Franco) uses chimpanzees as test subjects. When a mother chimp in his study is killed because of a misunderstanding, Will takes the baby home to save it from the mother’s fate. His father, Charles (Lithgow), who is suffering from the same disease Will is trying to cure, likes the chimp. They name him Caesar. It is not long before Will discovers that the medicine Will gave Caesar’s mother while pregnant was passed onto Caesar and he is highly intelligent. For years Will and Charles raise Caesar until, in an effort to protect Charles, Caesar attacks a neighbor.
Heartbroken, Will is forced to take Caesar to a shelter. He tells Caesar that somehow he will get him back and take him home again. For a long time, despite the abuse he receives at the shelter, Caesar holds onto the belief that Will will keep his word. Will tries to fulfill his promise, but it is a long process. He visits Caesar and explains that he is trying, but there comes a point where the hope is gone. In an effort to change his situation, Caesar figures out how to unite the apes. Once he does this, Will, by way of a bribe, is finally able to bring Caesar home. Caesar refuses and instead remains to help all the other apes break out of the shelter and to freedom.
There was a lot of this movie I had a hard time watching. To begin with, the story itself was sad. Watching people lose their loved ones either to disease or because they were physically taken away was very difficult. Then on top of it there was the animal cruelty. That completely tore me apart. I know this is a fictional film, but it is still really hard for me to see because these things do happen in real life.
Despite my difficulties, this movie is worth seeing. Not quite knowing what to expect, I was surprised to find it is very good. The acting by the main characters is well done, and I liked the ending even though it is a bit sad. There was one question I had when the movie was over. If you do not want any hint of the ending, do not read any further. For everyone else, my question is: Do they at least get to visit? I certainly hope so.
Heartbroken, Will is forced to take Caesar to a shelter. He tells Caesar that somehow he will get him back and take him home again. For a long time, despite the abuse he receives at the shelter, Caesar holds onto the belief that Will will keep his word. Will tries to fulfill his promise, but it is a long process. He visits Caesar and explains that he is trying, but there comes a point where the hope is gone. In an effort to change his situation, Caesar figures out how to unite the apes. Once he does this, Will, by way of a bribe, is finally able to bring Caesar home. Caesar refuses and instead remains to help all the other apes break out of the shelter and to freedom.
There was a lot of this movie I had a hard time watching. To begin with, the story itself was sad. Watching people lose their loved ones either to disease or because they were physically taken away was very difficult. Then on top of it there was the animal cruelty. That completely tore me apart. I know this is a fictional film, but it is still really hard for me to see because these things do happen in real life.
Despite my difficulties, this movie is worth seeing. Not quite knowing what to expect, I was surprised to find it is very good. The acting by the main characters is well done, and I liked the ending even though it is a bit sad. There was one question I had when the movie was over. If you do not want any hint of the ending, do not read any further. For everyone else, my question is: Do they at least get to visit? I certainly hope so.
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