STACK #157 Nov 2017

FEATURE DVD&BD

“From the beginning, we always viewed this as a three-part story that began with the birth of Caesar, saw him become an innocent hero as head of the apes and then a smart, compassionate leader only to now be tested, grow and become even more heroic. In a world in which intelligent apes are born, we knew it would inevitably lead to this ultimate conflict with humans. We’ve come to a remarkable place in the story. It’s the apotheosis of Caesar’s journey – and as you see him struggle, you see his soul.” At the start of War for the Planet of the Apes,

audiences can deeply relate. As the apes have continued their rapid

of Peace. Funds will go to the rehabilitation of chimpanzees who have suffered drastically through the loss of habitat. Serkis echoes those noble goals: “I think perhaps the playing out of our most fundamental human struggles through the eyes of apes allows the audience to connect to human emotions on a more visceral level” he comments. “We know the Great Apes are our closest cousins -- they are 97 per cent the same as us – and yet we perceive this world of difference. Perhaps, by giving them a voice and seeing the world through their different eyes, we can stand outside ourselves and really see ourselves under the microscope as we haven’t before.”

advancement from speechless animals to higher intelligence, each film has taken Serkis further in his exploration of Caesar’s expanding abilities – and War becomes the apex. Caesar’s increasing eloquence allows Serkis to etch more and more shading into his persona. “In the first film, there was a dawning of language and it was about exploring how the apes dealt with the beginning of their evolution. In the second film, I began to think of Caesar more

Caesar wants only peace. He has to be measured and, more importantly, strong. “Caesar is still trying to keep it together, but he bears the deep, painful burdens of a leader struggling to galvanise a divided people,” explains Serkis. “Caesar has always been torn between the ape and human worlds. He does not want to see the destruction

as a human and he started to use more intricate linguistics, expressing himself intellectually,” notes Serkis. “Now, Caesar can speak fluently which changes how he approaches things, how he thinks of himself and others. It has really been amazing to be able to climb inside the mind of a being who is transforming on every single level. Physically in this film, Caesar is much

There are elements of mythic Westerns, and of Clint Eastwood films

of either species. But he’s an ape and their survival is clearly on the line.” There is a crucial turning point that causes him to lose his moral footing. He hungers for a personal reckoning, yet knows the other apes still look to him as their last chance to find a life of safety and freedom. As Serkis approached the role for the third time, he took it as a personal challenge to bring a visceral, perhaps even “human” truth to this mysterious character, who yet simultaneously embodies predicaments to which human

more upright and he uses his hands a lot more now, so he’s more like a human being in ape skin. But as his intelligence and abilities have grown, the things he feels and remembers have become more daunting to him.” Through the military and emotional last stand, the filmmakers hope that a deeper empathy for those who share our planet is the outcome. They have contributed to the institute of Jane Goodall, the groundbreaking primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist and United Nations Messenger

• War for the Planet of the Apes is out Nov 15

BATTLE FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (1973) In the aftermath of Caesar’s revolt, an uneasy alliance exists between the surviving humans and apes. But it’s a peace that gorilla General Aldo attempts to bring to an end by overthrowing Caesar. Line to quote: “In the beginning, God created beast and man so that both might live in friendship and share dominion over a world of peace.”

ESCAPE FROM THE PLANET OF THE APES (1971) In a plot reversal that also works as a prequel, apes Cornelius, Zira and Dr. Milo wind up on Earth in 1973, where scientists become understandably nervous about the possibility of future simian rule – and take steps to prevent it. Line to quote: “I loathe bananas.”

CONQUEST OF THE PLANET OF THE APES (1972) Sharing a similar plot with the 2011 reboot Rise of the Planet of the Apes , the son of Cornelius and Zira, Caesar (played by Roddy McDowell), leads his fellow apes in an uprising against the human race. Line to quote: “Tonight we have seen the birth of the Planet of the Apes.”

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