Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
Movie Trailer:
Release Date:
May 10, 2024
Genre:
Science Fiction, Action, Adventure
Cast & Crew:
- Owen Teague as Cornelius
- Freya Allan as Caelia
- Peter Macon as Proximus
- Kevin Durand as Belisarius
- Eka Darville as Virgil
- William H. Macy as Old Man
- Dichen Lachman as Nova
- Travis Fimmel as Ezekiel
Director:
Wes Ball
Other Movies Director is Known For:
- The Maze Runner (2014)
- Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials (2015)
- Maze Runner: The Death Cure (2018)
Producer:
- Peter Chernin
- Dylan Clark
- Rick Jaffa
- Amanda Silver
Writer:
- Josh Friedman
- Rick Jaffa
- Amanda Silver
- Patrick Aison
Budget:
Estimated $150 million
Production Company:
20th Century Studios, Chernin Entertainment
Running Time:
2h 25m
Languages:
English
Maturity Rating:
PG-13
Content Advisory:
- Intense sequences of sci-fi action and violence
- Thematic elements
- Some language
- Perilous situations
Movie Story:
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) continues the epic saga of the Planet of the Apes franchise, delving into the aftermath of Caesar’s legacy and the rise of a new generation of apes. Set years after the events of War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), the film explores a world where apes have become the dominant species on Earth, while the remnants of human civilization struggle to survive.
The story follows Cornelius (Owen Teague), Caesar’s son, who has grown into a wise and formidable leader in his own right. As the apes build their new society, they face challenges both from within and from the surviving humans, who are desperate to reclaim their place on the planet. Cornelius, driven by his father’s teachings of peace and coexistence, seeks to find a way to maintain harmony between the species, but his efforts are threatened by growing tensions.
A new enemy emerges in the form of Belisarius (Kevin Durand), a ruthless ape who believes that the only way to secure the future of their kind is to eradicate the remaining humans. Belisarius gains followers among the apes, leading to a division within the community. Cornelius must navigate this internal conflict while dealing with the threat of human retaliation, led by Ezekiel (Travis Fimmel), a war-hardened human determined to protect his people at any cost.
Amidst this turmoil, Caelia (Freya Allan), a young, idealistic ape, joins Cornelius on a quest to uncover the truth about their world’s past and to find a path to peace. Together, they venture into the ruins of human cities, where they encounter Proximus (Peter Macon), an enigmatic ape with knowledge of both human and ape history, who holds the key to the future of both species.
As the conflict escalates, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes builds to a climactic battle that will determine the fate of the planet. The film explores themes of leadership, legacy, and the consequences of violence, continuing the franchise’s tradition of thought-provoking storytelling combined with stunning visual effects and action.
Special Effects:
The special effects in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes are a major highlight, with cutting-edge CGI bringing the apes to life in a realistic and emotionally resonant way. The film’s visual effects team, building on the groundbreaking work of the previous installments, has created a visually stunning world that seamlessly blends real environments with CGI to create epic battle scenes and breathtaking landscapes. The motion capture performances, particularly for the apes, are expected to be a standout, delivering nuanced and expressive characters that drive the emotional core of the story.
Box Office Performance:
As a continuation of a beloved franchise, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is expected to perform well at the box office. The film’s release in the summer blockbuster season, combined with its established fanbase and high production values, should ensure strong global box office returns, appealing to both longtime fans and new audiences.
Filming Locations:
- New South Wales, Australia
- Sydney, Australia
- New Zealand
- Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Notable Quotes:
- “Caesar’s legacy is not one of war, but of peace. But peace is fragile.” – Cornelius
- “The future belongs to those who are strong enough to shape it.” – Belisarius
- “We are not just apes. We are something more.” – Caelia
- “The world we knew is gone. What we build now will define us forever.” – Proximus
Behind-the-Scenes:
Director Wes Ball, known for his work on the Maze Runner trilogy, brings a fresh perspective to the Planet of the Apes franchise, while staying true to the themes and tone that have made the series a critical and commercial success. The film’s production involved extensive use of motion capture technology, with the cast undergoing rigorous training to portray the physicality and emotional depth of their ape characters. The production also took advantage of Australia and New Zealand’s diverse landscapes to create the film’s post-apocalyptic settings, adding to the epic scale of the story.
Final Verdict:
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024) is a visually stunning and emotionally powerful continuation of the iconic franchise. With its blend of action, drama, and thought-provoking themes, the film delivers a satisfying and thrilling cinematic experience. Wes Ball’s direction, combined with the strong performances and state-of-the-art visual effects, ensures that Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes will be a standout entry in the series and a must-see for fans of science fiction and action-adventure films.
IMDb Rating:
6.9
Image Source: 20th Century Studios