Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014, dir. Matt Reeves)

There has been a recent revamp of the 60's movie "Planet of the Apes" with a new series of films.  One was a remake, the other two, including this one provides back-story leading up to the story-line in the original.  This happened to be the first of those films that I had the privilege of seeing.  I don't regret my choice but I do regret not investing my time in the other films in this series because of the success I perceived in this one.

I believe the reason for this film's success is in its fascinating presentation of a non-human species (apes) which has evolved to the point of overcoming the human species in its degree of emotional and spiritual advancement.  These apes are organized and able to co-exist with their own species in cohesion and harmony.  They don't require guns or electricity but they are content to just be and in that existence they are more successful than their human counterparts.

This especially applies to the humans as presented in this film.  They are in chaos as a result of being stripped of their sources of electrical power and it is their search for this source that is at the heart of this film's plot.  The band of humans who we meet early on are encroaching on the apes peaceful territory in search of the dam that could potentially provide them with the power they need to regain some of their lost glory and sustenance.  

A montage at the beginning of the film sets us up with the information that their has been a colossal contagion that has nearly wiped out the entire human population on earth.  Originally, experiments were done on apes with a new serum that was being tested to fight Alzheimer's.  This gave the apes increased intelligence and evolutionary characteristics.  The apes broke free from captivity and chaos loomed.  After this informational montage we are shown the apes in their new existence, more evolved and functioning at a high level on their own within their own population. 

Caesar is the apes' leader and in a discussion near the beginning he and another ape discuss the fact that it is unlikely there are any more humans around because they haven't come across one in nearly a decade.  Soon we are shown they are wrong when a human comes across two young apes in the forest and in a panic, shoots one of them.  This causes great anger and consternation among the other apes and the humans responsible for the trespass are told to never return to their territory.  

But, because the apes' territory contains the needed power source, the humans return and a series of events transpire that will result in the outbreak of total warfare between the two species.  This provides the action pieces that are at the centre of the film's storyline and these action scenes are exciting and moving.  

The film makes the viewer identify with the apes but at the same time we feel for the human characters as well.  This offers the complicated dynamic at the heart of the film, adds suspense and heightens the dramatic impact.  I was thoroughly impressed by the CGI in this film.  The apes are computer images but are very realistic and their every emotion is visible in their gestures and facial expressions.

Overall, questions are raised about humanity, the natural and animal world and the future of the entire planet.  The film offers hope in all these areas and offers a unique view of our precarious place within the Great Chain of Being.