At least that’s what the ad industry teaches us with their “blockbuster summer hits.” When’s the last time you’ve heard a movie trailer tout a film as the next “blockbuster winter hit”? Apparently, “blockbusters” aren’t possible in the Winter or the Spring. At least the Fall has a “movie season.” But summers? They’re made for movies.
My favorite movie so far this summer: Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
It looks as though we’ll never escape the cycle of “origins” films that explain how some of our favorite characters, films, and series got their start. Marvel plans to bury us beneath an avalanche of such “origins,” making way ultimately for a truckload of Avengers sequels.
So far, Captain America and Iron Man receive F’s from me. Thor was a ‘B’ movie. On the other hand, X-Men Origins: Wolverine, X-Men: First Class, Star Trek and Rise of the Planet of the Apes receive A’s.
Anyway, back to the Apes. Have you seen this movie?
It’s incredibly well done. Borrowing from the motion capture and facial capture cinematography used in films like Avatar and Lord of the Rings, the directors manage to deliver very believable primates for your viewing pleasure. None of that man-in-suit monkey business. This is great stuff.
The story line was believable, if a bit worn. It’s a science goes bad plot line. Reminded me a bit of the basic science gone bad story in I Am Legend. Except in this case, apes win, humans will ultimately lose. There are a couple nods to the original series of movies with Charlton Heston. When I was a little boy, my mother–sainted woman who knew my love for the Apes–would call me from the basketball park, riding my bike, or whatever to let me know Planet of the Apes was coming on the television. I’d drop my ball, my bike, or whatever and run into the house. I’d be glued to television and easily irritated by disturbances for next little while. Loved the movies and rooted for the Apes.
The writers of this reprise take a departure from the original story line and its origin. We’re not watching lost astronauts land on a planet surprisingly ruled by apes. No, the roosters–uh… primates–come home to roost (what do apes do?) right here on planet earth. That makes for some fun action scenes and left me wanting to see more. By the way, I’m totally glad there was no 3-D gimmick to this movie. The cinematography stood on its own (check the falling leaves scenes as the apes scamper across the treetops).
And that brings me to why I’m writing this post. When I leave the movie theater, I want to be left with that “can’t wait for the sequel” feeling that keeps me looking out for the next fix. I want the movie to be so good that I’m disappointed there’s not more. When I left Captain America, I wanted my money back. Seriously. No seriously. The theaters here owe me money and two hours of my life. But today, I want more Apes!
Now, before vacation is over, I hope to see Conan the Barbarian, too! Shhhh! Don’t tell me. Conan was also one of my favorite films as a boy. I’d never seen a human being as massive and ripped as Arnold. Now, the lead in the Conan reprise, Jason Momoa, is no Arnold for muscle (though he’s no slouch either). He was a pretty fierce sidekick on my favorite television sci-fi series: Stargate Atlantis. Ronin Dax as Conan? I’m interested enough to pay 10 bucks!
See you at the movies!
