Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

A substance designed to help the brain repair itself gives advanced intelligence to a chimpanzee who leads an ape uprising.

Director:

Rupert Wyatt

Writers:

Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver

Stars:

James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 21 wins & 42 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andy Serkis	...	Caesar
Karin Konoval	...	Maurice / Court Clerk
Terry Notary	...	Rocket / Bright Eyes
Richard Ridings	...	Buck - Ape
Christopher Gordon	...	Koba - Ape (as Chris Gordon)
Devyn Dalton	...	Cornelia - Ape
Jay Caputo	...	Alpha
James Franco	...	Will Rodman
Freida Pinto	...	Caroline Aranha
John Lithgow	...	Charles Rodman
Brian Cox	...	John Landon
Tom Felton	...	Dodge Landon
David Oyelowo	...	Steven Jacobs
Tyler Labine	...	Robert Franklin
Jamie Harris	...	Rodney - Shelter Assistant

Storyline

At the story's heart is Caesar (Andy Serkis), a chimpanzee who gains human-like intelligence and emotions from an experimental drug. Raised like a child by the drug's creator, Will Rodman (James Franco) and a primatologist Caroline Aranha (Freida Pinto), Caesar ultimately finds himself taken from the humans he loves and imprisoned in an ape sanctuary in San Bruno. Seeking justice for his fellow inmates, Caesar gives the fellow apes the same drug that he inherited. He then assembles a simian army and escapes the sanctuary - putting man and ape on a collision course that could change the planet forever.

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Plot Keywords:

ape | chimpanzee | alzheimer's disease | when animals attack | fire | 

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Taglines:

Evolution Becomes Revolution

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Genres:

Action | Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense and frightening sequences of action and violence

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA UK Canada

Language:

English Sign Languages

Release Date:

5 August 2011 (USA)

Also Known As:

Planet of the Apes: Genesis

Filming Locations:

Wellington, New Zealand

Box Office

Budget:

$93,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$54,806,191, 7 August 2011, Wide Release

Gross USA:

$176,760,185

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$482,860,185

Company Credits

Production Co:

Twentieth Century Fox, Dune Entertainment, Chernin Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Datasat Dolby Dolby Surround 7.1 SDDS

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Idris Elba, Jamie Foxx, and Djimon Hounsou were considered for the role of Steven Jacobs.

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Goofs

On the Golden Gate Bridge the car that drives off has no windshield (which would make sense considering the large fight) however in the very next scene it's windshield is back.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Robert Franklin: [administering chimp intelligence test] Okay, okay. Here you go. And let's go again.
[gives Bright Eyes treat and clocks timer]
Will Rodman: Which one's this? Number nine?
Robert Franklin: Yeah, this is number nine. Bright Eyes, we call her. Are you watching this? This is unbelievable.
[Bright Eyes does the tower fast]
Robert Franklin: Oh, my God. Oh, my God.
Bright Eyes: [grabs treat and eats it]
Will Rodman: How many moves was that?
Robert Franklin: 20.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The end credits appear over a map, showing the virus spreading around the world.

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Connections

Features French Connection II (1975)

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Soundtracks

Clair de Lune
Written by Claude Debussy
Performed by James Bartlett

User Reviews

Wow It's actually a great movie!

I had extremely low expectations for Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011). I loved the original 1968 classic, but every sequel/remake after it sucked. I was surprised they were going to make a prequel of the classic and I thought it was a good idea. But still after so many bad sequels and remakes, I still had my big doubts. Also I didn't like how the monkeys were made by CGI/Special Effects, why not use a robotic monkey or a real one, it would look more real.

After my viewing of the film, I was pleasantly surprised and I liked it overall. But there were definitely flaws in the movie, no doubt about it. The characters were a bit uninteresting at times, there were subplots that went pretty much nowhere and indicated that there could sequels in the works, but it all depends on how much money it makes. The movie, at some points turned to an average summer blockbuster with all the action scenes and explosions, but it redeems itself later on.

However there are plenty of positive qualities, the movie has. Andy Serkis delivers a great performance as the lead ape in the film and is pretty much the star of the film. James Franco and Freida Pinto, both did a good job portraying their characters. The movie also poses ethical/moral questions, which I found very interesting. The movie is easily on of the most thrilling films we've had this summer. Finally a movie that pays respect to the 1968 original science fiction classic!