My quick rating - 6.0/10. The latest Apes entry transports us several generations beyond Caesar's reign, presenting a world where apes dominate and humans lurk in the shadows. This installment introduces a young ape on a transformative journey, one that challenges his understanding of the past and forces him to make pivotal choices about the future of both apes and humans. At first glance, the movie’s visuals are breathtaking. The CGI used to bring the apes to life is undeniably impressive, seamlessly blending with the natural landscapes and creating a vivid, believable world. However, after the initial awe wears off, the novelty of talking apes quickly diminishes, especially for those who are familiar with the previous trilogy. The initial thrill of seeing these hyper-realistic apes in action is short-lived, as it doesn't offer anything groundbreaking compared to its predecessors. The narrative itself feels stretched thin, an unfortunate byproduct of trying to kickstart an obvious trilogy. The story takes its time to set the stage for future sequels, resulting in a pacing that drags more often than it excites. What could have been a tight, engaging tale is diluted by unnecessary length, making the film feel more like an extended prologue than a standalone feature. One of the more intriguing aspects of the film is how it handles Caesar's legacy. There's a spark of potential in the exploration of his impact on the current ape society, yet it remains frustratingly underdeveloped. Instead of delving deep into this rich history, the movie seems content with hinting at it, presumably saving the meat of the story for future installments. Character development, particularly for the new tyrannical ape leader and the young protagonist, Nova (Freya Allan) is somewhat superficial. Her acting isn't poor but it wasn't anything that stood out either and being surrounded by CGI, you should do more to make an impression. While their arcs are serviceable, they lack the depth and emotional resonance that made the original trilogy's characters so compelling. Their journeys are predictable, and their struggles feel more like plot devices than genuine character growth. I just feel this latest flick is a visually stunning but ultimately average beginning to a new trilogy. The incredible CGI and initial novelty of talking apes can't compensate for the lackluster storytelling and underdeveloped characters. Caesar's legacy is an almost-interesting thread that, unfortunately, seems to exist solely to set up future films. For now, this film is a decent start but leaves much to be desired in terms of fulfilling its potential.
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