JAMIE EAST AT THE MOVIES War For The Planet Of The Apes is an exciting end to a phenomenal trilogy

JAMIE EAST AT THE MOVIES War For The Planet Of The Apes is an exciting end to a phenomenal trilogy

SET 15 years after the Simian Flu epidemic all but wiped out the human race, James Franco, John Lithgow, evil Koba and civilisation as we knew it are all but a distant memory to Caesar (Ape Patient Zero to this trilogy).

Since the previous episode (Dawn of the…) where both Ape and human had their hands forced, all the fella wants to do now is settle down with his family and tribe and be left alone.

Sadly, humans seem to have a different take on that plan and are still intent on becoming the dominant species, despite Caesar’s plea for peace and displays of forgiveness.

Nevertheless, after suffering a catastrophic loss at the hands of the evil Colonel, Caesar reluctantly gives in to his hatred and seeks revenge, seemingly regardless of the cost.

You know that bit in the title that says war? They aren’t kidding – it all PROPER kicks off.

The heartbeat of compassion, acceptance and forgiveness thumps through this epic hybrid of the Magnificent Seven, Platoon, Gladiator, Apocalypse Now (I would make the Ape-ocalypse joke but the buggers went and used it in the film - I was livid and heard at least three other critics scribbling it off their notes too!) and even Escape to Victory.

There are many, many things to get psyched about here, but I’ll start with the fact that apes or not - this is a bloody great, epic war movie.

All the ape movies have been fantastic from start to finish, simply because it’s number one priority and focus has always been on the story and performances.

Each film has had a gripping screenplay and this, probably the final one, goes out with an heartfelt bang.

Don’t get me wrong, the visual effects are stunning.

It’s difficult to see how CGI can be improved anymore - part of me thinks it must be surely less work to just teach chimps how to talk - but then I realised that’s how we ended up at war with them in these films, them I had to remind myself it was just a film - OR IS IT A PROPHECY OH GOD.

Anyway, my point is that CGI is used to here to tell the story, not like, say Transformers, where it’s just a CGI porno with a script to match.

Story and performances first, then sprinkle the fairy dust on it.

While I’m on the subject of performances, it is SURELY about time Andy Serkis gets recognised for his?

We're way passed the snobbish attitude of ignoring people’s talent simply because they’re dressed in a wet suit covered in ping pong balls?

Serkis’ Caesar has more heart and gives more welly than 99% of humans ever could. Oscar nomination at the VERY least surely?

The only downer (and it’s a small one) is Woody Harrelson’s somewhat pantomime Colonel.

If an orangutan can be understated while formulating a prison breakout, surely a human can offer some light and shade. (ps. a megalomaniac building a wall? Where do they get their #inspo from?!)

It’s a small niggle though, because this is an absolutely fantastic, exciting finale to what has been a phenomenal trilogy. Please don’t let it end!