Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

It was established on the original “Planet of the Apes” series that there are many alternate realities to this universe. All of which end with the apes conquering the world and defeating humans. No matter what, the consequences are always the same. Director Matt Reeves returns to the concept once again, expanding on 2011’s “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” to chronicle how apes conquered the world, and how, regardless of the efforts to establish peace, war is inevitable. “Rise” was an already stellar science fiction reboot, and director Matt Reeves takes the entire new timeline to vast heights.

“Dawn” is very much a popcorn science fiction epic that also sneaks in interesting ideas about humanity, social unrest, the grasp for power, and the always unreachable goal for peace and unity among different races. There’s also a great recurring undertone about how humans and apes just aren’t that different, though the future will dictate otherwise. “Dawn” continues years after the massive virus that’s taken the lives of billions of humans all around the world. Caesar is now the ruler of a giant colony of apes that have retreated to the woods and built their own civilization. They’re hunters, teachers, and soldiers that have isolated themselves from the world, convinced the human race has all but been snuffed out. During a hunt, a tribe comes across a band of human survivors resulting in a violent confrontation, prompting Caesar to snap in to action against the humans.

Striving for peace among the races is Malcolm, the second in command for the human survivors who is anxiously trying to get to a dam near the apes’ city to restore power to the city, which will allow the surviving humans to live without fear of disease. He, along with his girlfriend Ellie (the gorgeous Keri Russell) and son Alexander (Kodi Smit McPhee) must figure out how to build their trust to gain access to the dam. But the apes are very apprehensive to the humans, including Caesar’s second in command Koba. Caesar must now figure out how to establish trust among humans without looking weak to his people. Including Koba, who is unwilling to establish a peaceful treaty and wants nothing but revenge for his life as a caged animal. The main protagonist for the sequel is once again Caesar who is less a victim of human cruelty, and now an alpha male seeking to merely keep his people safe.

Andy Serkis, along with the help of motion capture, gives a spectacular turn as the conflicted and very tortured Caesar. He wants to help the humans, and still has some idea of their ability for kindness, but is forced to confront the mistrust of apes as well as the humans, all of whom threaten to destroy each other. Jason Clarke as Malcolm is a perfect replacement for original star James Franco, as he garners a bond with Caesar, forming a common ground with him and his cohorts. He wants to survive just like Caesar, and the pair of heroes strives to build a peaceful union. The world of the apes is expanded upon greatly, exploring many power struggles, and the family dynamic between Caesar, his son Blue Eyes, and his very ill wife Cornelia (Judy Greer) who is barely recovering from a birth.

Nick Thurston is a stand out as Caesar’s son who is at odds with his father about dealing with the humans, all the while watching the violence unfold before his eyes. Torn between his loyalty to his father and his race, he’s at constant crossroads, and plays perfectly off of Serkis. Which is tough considering Serkis steals the movie away from his co-stars quite often. “Dawn” pulls off some incredible action sequences, and wonderful drama, all the while observing why it’s impossible to acquire peace, even in a world crippled by illness. “Dawn” is one of the best films of 2014, as Reeves avoids repeating the same beats from the original. He delivers a sequel that is an excellent expansion on the first film, while also complimenting the entire series in the process.