I wore my Donkey Kong shirt when I went to see the film opening weekend, and without knowing, sure enough there were "Donkeys" in the film. The pacing for WAR is a bit on the sluggish end but for good reason. It being the third (and final?) film in this Apes trilogy, I think the filmmakers wanted to have a little fun with this entry adding some snow (Winter) and interesting new characters including a comic relief and a young infected orphan of which are welcomed outcasts to the apes clan. To me, the orphan girl, played by Amiah Miller, also in Lights Out (2016), symbolized hope, and had a synchronized connection with the apes. They aid in the great escape, which took up most of the film; also reminded me of the escape in the Aardman Animations film, Chicken Run (2000). I think the film title ought to be Escape from the Planet of the Apes. Woody makes for a believable role (Colonel) whenever he plays an antagonist. Caesar is still haunted by the ghost of his previous foe in fear of developing a likeness the savagely ways. The motives for the two different leaders become clear, but in the end, the one with the better understanding of emotions, vengeance, and moral values would typically be the more respectable. There seems to be a definite improvement in the CG work compared to the first film from 2011, Rise (better lighting/computers perhaps?). I also liked the little references to Apocalypse Now (Ape-ocalypse Now pun) and Bedtime for Bonzo. In all, a fine closure and a touching one too.
Review by RothSothyBlockedParent2017-07-16T19:54:35Z
I wore my Donkey Kong shirt when I went to see the film opening weekend, and without knowing, sure enough there were "Donkeys" in the film. The pacing for WAR is a bit on the sluggish end but for good reason. It being the third (and final?) film in this Apes trilogy, I think the filmmakers wanted to have a little fun with this entry adding some snow (Winter) and interesting new characters including a comic relief and a young infected orphan of which are welcomed outcasts to the apes clan. To me, the orphan girl, played by Amiah Miller, also in Lights Out (2016), symbolized hope, and had a synchronized connection with the apes. They aid in the great escape, which took up most of the film; also reminded me of the escape in the Aardman Animations film, Chicken Run (2000). I think the film title ought to be Escape from the Planet of the Apes. Woody makes for a believable role (Colonel) whenever he plays an antagonist. Caesar is still haunted by the ghost of his previous foe in fear of developing a likeness the savagely ways. The motives for the two different leaders become clear, but in the end, the one with the better understanding of emotions, vengeance, and moral values would typically be the more respectable. There seems to be a definite improvement in the CG work compared to the first film from 2011, Rise (better lighting/computers perhaps?). I also liked the little references to Apocalypse Now (Ape-ocalypse Now pun) and Bedtime for Bonzo. In all, a fine closure and a touching one too.