Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier.

Director:

Matt Reeves

Writers:

Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa

Stars:

Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Andy Serkis

Nominated for 1 Oscar. Another 17 wins & 47 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Andy Serkis	...	Caesar
Jason Clarke	...	Malcolm
Gary Oldman	...	Dreyfus
Keri Russell	...	Ellie
Toby Kebbell	...	Koba
Kodi Smit-McPhee	...	Alexander
Kirk Acevedo	...	Carver
Nick Thurston	...	Blue Eyes
Terry Notary	...	Rocket
Karin Konoval	...	Maurice
Judy Greer	...	Cornelia
Jon Eyez	...	Foster
Enrique Murciano	...	Kemp
Larramie Doc Shaw	...	Ash (as Doc Shaw)
Lee Ross	...	Grey

Storyline

A growing nation of genetically evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by a band of human survivors of the devastating virus unleashed a decade earlier. They reach a fragile peace, but it proves short-lived, as both sides are brought to the brink of a war that will determine who will emerge as Earth's dominant species.

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Plot Keywords:

post apocalypse | sequel | ape | leader | dam | 

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Taglines:

One last chance for peace.

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Genres:

Action | Adventure | Drama | Sci-Fi

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief strong language

Did You Know?

Trivia

Producers confirmed that this movie had a bigger budget than Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011). Production spent eighty million dollars in New Orleans, and hired five hundred locals.

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Goofs

The apes charging on horseback with automatic rifles, firing all their weapons endlessly without reloading.

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Quotes

[first lines]
Physician: If you have a fever and cough or a sore throat, stay home.
Man on TV: I'd say 95% chance of this is manufactured. Came out of a laboratory.
Female Reporter: The source of the virus was traced back to drug test done at Gen-Sys Laboratories in San Francisco.
Male Reporter 1: The lab technician, now known as Patient Zero, was accidentally exposed to retrovirus ALZ-113, an Alzheimer's trial drug that was being testing on chimpanzees.
Male Reporter 2: The infected chimps showed signs of erratic and aggressive behavior that led to their escape from the...

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Crazy Credits

After the credits there is an audio cue of Apes digging through, and removing rubble and concrete. Then Koba's distinctive breathing is heard, hinting at Koba surviving the fall after his struggle with Caesar.

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Connections

Referenced in Honest Trailers: Planet of the Apes (2001) (2014)

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Soundtracks

The Weight
Written by Robbie Robertson
Performed by The Band
Courtesy of Capitol Records, LLC
Under license from Universal Music Enterprises

User Reviews

Apes On Horses

The Planet of the Apes franchise has always fascinated me but I hadn't been interested until seeing Rise of the Planet of the Apes a few years back. The emotional depth that that film brought to the table was unparalleled in terms of big blockbusters. I was attached to Caesar and several of the other apes. That movie surprised everyone so it isn't much of a surprise that the sequel 'Dawn' looked even better as they hired Matt Reeves as the replacement director. The special effects are some of the best I have ever seen and the acting was surprisingly outstanding. The trailers looked incredible so my excitement was about as high as it could possibly be for an apes movie. And the film doesn't disappoint.

The film takes place at least 8 years after 'Rise' and the time jump is much to their benefit. It allowed Caesar to step into his role as leader of all the apes and link between the apes and humans. Speaking of the effects, some of the facial expression the apes gave were just devastating. And for me to say that I was on the verge of tears in a movie where apes can talk should sound absurd but its the truth. Caesar's family is present throughout and his eldest son is the one that hit home. When you see him being put into war unwillingly after life changing events you just cant but help feeling terrible for him. Koba, the corrupt ape who has always believed humans are more dangerous than Caesar thinks is also a conflicting character. There is a scene between him and Caesar near the first act that made me feel sympathy for him and whatever other apes were also tortured. Dreyfuss, played by Gary Oldman also stood out for the short periods that he appears. Much like Koba, he is a man who lost so much that he has lost faith in the world and wants nothing to do with the other species. It's these two characters who keep the conflict rising as peace is on the downfall and war is on the brink. The only real weak part of the film is that the trailers show a lot of the important scenes and I'm a guy who watches trailers everyday. I knew a little bit too much.

To say that Caesar is one of the greatest leaders in film history is not an overstatement. When he is on screen you cant help but be mesmerized by the immense strength and gravitas that comes along with the character. Now it is time for the academy to honor the greatness that this film brings to all aspects of filmmaking. I wouldn't go as far as saying Serkis deserves a best actor nod, but I wouldn't disagree if they gave it to him. The performance is one for the ages.

The third act is brilliant in every way a film should be. It was unexpected, visually dazzling, and emotionally fulfilling. It keeps you on the edge of your seat from the get go. It's one of the best movies of the summer and definitely made it's mark in motion capture history.

+Caesar's unparalleled leadership

+Special effects and motion capture are just insanely good

+Apes facial expressions can be emotionally devastating

+Koba & Dreyfuss similarly troubled

-I knew a bit too much from trailers

9.2/10

SECOND VIEWING 9.6/10

Details

Official Sites:

Official site Official site [Brazil]

Country:

USA UK Canada

Language:

English American Sign Language

Release Date:

11 July 2014 (USA)

Also Known As:

Untitled Rise of the Planet of the Apes Sequel

Filming Locations:

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA

Box Office

Budget:

$170,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$72,611,427, 13 July 2014

Gross USA:

$208,545,589

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$710,644,566

Company Credits

Production Co:

Chernin Entertainment, Ingenious Media, Soho VFX

Technical Specs

Runtime:

130 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Atmos Datasat Dolby Surround 7.1

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1