War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

The thing about genre films is how they often can tell stories about us, the real us, which more "realistic" films cannot. They get to the reality, the truth of who we are. Many people struggle with genre films, not able to appreciate the fantastic elements, dismissing them as silly or for children. I've read a number of commentaries recently misreading the "comic book" genre as vapid or trivial. In reality, genre films can often offer some of the most pointed examinations of our culture. Often it is through watching the otherworldly that we best see our world.

The modern Planet of the Apes series has been one of the best examples of this. By its very nature it is admittedly pulpy yet it has achieved some of the most poignant story telling to grace the screens recently. One of the most brilliant aspects of this is how the films force us into self-opposition. We are humans yet it is humanity which is the story's villain, or perhaps more accurately, the story's antagonist. We empathize with the Apes and it is their struggle which resonates. We are positioned to see from the perspective of the other and in fact we can't see any other position. It is a cinematic equivalent of Stockholm Syndrome and it's power is remarkable.

This power comes from the incredible story telling that has gone into these stories. Our current cinematic tendencies are to follow story arcs as trilogies and War is the culmination of that trilogy. This is what it has all be building to and writer/director Matt Reeves doesn't disappoint, saving the most powerful tale, the tale of humanity's self-destruction, for the last. War is a powerful meditation of what it means for a culture, a society to survive, what our role in that is, and what the cost to us is of our wars. Told through a story where apes are the heroes and humans are the villains we are forced to face our own humanity as we likely couldn't in a story about a real war.

The other aspect of this franchise which is so fascinating is how it is changing the way we look at performances. Andy Serkis has acted on screen in traditional roles but it has been his motion capture work which has had the most impact. He's been King Kong and Gollum, but it is Caesar which has become his triumph. While we never see his physical features in these movies, his performance remains one of the most incredible of any actor in any film. His Caesar is an icon. He has reinvented the character from his initial villainous roots into a champion of modern cinema. It is breathtaking to see.

The real power of War for the Planet of the Apes comes as the film builds to its remarkable climax. None of it is what you'd expect. And it emotional resonance is somewhat overwhelming. This is a masterfully made film which sweeps you up in its narrative and delivers an extraordinary experience.

There is a legitimate critique of the film's lack of use of female characters. The series' use of female characters is problematic at best and War struggles with issues around this like its predecessors. While it doesn't ruin the film, it does make one ask how much stronger the film could have been with that consideration.

I feel sorry for those who cannot let themselves experience stories like these, genre stories of such grace and insight, and are missing out on one of the most human of stories we'll see all year.

War for the Planet of the Apes
Starring: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn, Amiah Miller
Writer/Director: Matt Reeves