A batte for survival: 'Planet of the Apes' saga continues
"Planet of the Apes" raises fundamental questions about morality and ethics. The latest film "War for the Planet of the Apes" addresses existential questions - but also serves up plenty of action.
The apes resurface
The first "Planet of the Apes" film was released in 1968 and turned out to be a huge hit. Now, nearly 50 years later, a ninth film in the ape saga is hitting theaters, but it is not a continuation of the story. Instead, it's the prehistory of the original film tale.
Human vs. ape
"War for the Planet of the Apes," which opens in US theaters on July 14, again showcases the basic conflict between humans and apes, which are, in part, genetically manipulated. Woody Harrelson plays the crazed US Colonel who faces off with the apes.
Multifaceted characters
The strength of the "Planet of the Apes" films has been that the producers, authors, and directors of the saga have always valued nuanced, well-rounded film characters. The latest film attests to that: Ape is not just ape. Various species are defined by various features - and a little girl acts as a bridge between humans and apes.
Emotions: Apes and humans
The small, mute girl, played by Amiah Miller, is seized by the apes during the tumult of war. They first want to do away with her, but then show they have a heart after all. They see the little girl for what she is - a person who has not succumbed to human perfidy - and end up taking her in.
Beautiful landscapes
"War for the Planet of the Apes," whose plot largely plays in the wild, snowy landscapes of North America, radiates with many impressive panoramas of nature. It was filmed in part using a 65-mm camera - a format which makes particularly large, sharp images possible. It was also partially filmed in 3D.
Also an action film
Despite the metaphysical context of the film plot, fans of action films will also get their fill. The final sequence in particular, in which the Colonel's troops (including slave apes) face off with the freed members of the same species, is action-packed.
The origins of the saga
In 1968, director Franklin J. Schaffner created a modern film legend with "Planet of the Apes." Charlton Heston played the leading role of a human who gets closer to the apes (pictured). With production costs totalling nearly $6 million, the film earned many times that at the box office.
Leap into the new millennium
Following the huge success of the original 1968 film, four others followed by 1973. Then there was a single remake in 2001. A decade later, a trilogy kicked off, with the last one "War for the Planet of the Apes" now hitting theaters around the world.
Sticking with the key to success
The second to last film of the popular series was released in theaters in 2014: "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes," directed by Matt Reeves. Reeves also directed the latest "War" film, which links back to its predecessor.
Opening in the theaters
"War for the Planet of the Apes" opens in Great Britain and Ireland on July 11, and in theaters in other countries later in the week. German fans have to wait until August 3 to see the film.