ReviewFilm review: War for the Planet of the Apes offers a compelling conclusion to rebooted trilogy
Director Matt Reeves has taken a daring approach to this prequel, relying not on carnage but the power of silence to capture the audience
3.5/5 stars
When the idea of a prequel to the classic Planet of the Apes series was first mooted, it was greeted with some considerable scepticism. Yet, three films in, this franchise has proved to be rather compelling. This latest instalment, War for the Planet of the Apes, does – for the first time – pay more attention to the intelligent simians, led by the fearsome Caesar, than the human contingent.
Hiding in the woods, the apes only want to be left alone, despite military operations mounted against them. When a ruthless human leader, known as The Colonel (Woody Harrelson), storms their base and kills Caesar’s wife and son, revenge becomes the only clear path for the apes.
With Caesar one of the few who has learnt to communicate in English, the first half of War for the Planet of the Apes feels like a silent movie, with the hairy beasts using (subtitled) sign language. Even Nova, the little girl (Amiah Miller) the apes rescue, is mute.
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Harrelson, his face daubed with camouflage, barely speaks a word himself, until much later when Caesar and his pals make it to the weapons compound where The Colonel and his troops have set up base.