Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Resonant. Revolting. It's hard to guess where Rupert Wyatt is coming from, but we can only be glad that he got to possibly the most surprising hit of recent years. Nobody wanted to see the rise of this ape, the derision over such an unnecessary remake was endless... and suddenly hardly anyone has anything to say about it. James Franco surprises with his acting versatility, Tom Felton confirms his ability to play the villain, and Caesar, accompanied by Patrick Doyle's amazing music, conquers not only the highest branches of the trees but also the hearts of the audience. Despite a few surprising (but not disturbing) logical stumbling blocks, I have to admit that after he pushed ahead in this campaign at all costs, he left almost everyone eagerly supporting these enraged primates yet again. (25/10/2011)

I really didn't want to watch this movie at all. I don't like it when classics are being rebooted nowadays, which happens very often. It would have to be really something special to catch my interest. And here, it really looked like it, because this movie had quite a high rating above my expectations, so I gave it a try. The film is very well shot, the effects are perfect, but I can't help it, it's all just so silly. The story... The fact that things that could be done simply are complicated in the film, I could overlook. But the fact that years go by as if nothing, the army, armed with bullets as powerful as air bombs, can't shoot down even one monkey, and what's more, they don't even shoot through a bus really touch me. It all ends with a very spicy scene in the middle of a sequoia forest. At that moment, I thought that an American would have sent a nuclear warhead into the sequoias and would have been done with it all. (17/01/2012)

The monkeys’ gazes gradually become more expressive and sincere than the gazes of the human actors, and the initial protagonist, a scientist played by James Franco, and his companions become nothing but a bunch of extras. In other words, it’s rather more "Rise of the Planet of WETA". It has the charm of fantasy worlds, a fast pace, a deluge of visual and screenwriting ideas, perfect action, loads of emotions, a subtle ecological message, and especially the omnipresent positive feel-good vibes without the need for darkness and violence, though the film talks about serious things. It is not possible that it took just a little over 100 minutes. For me, this was a feast, a perfect viewing experience and the most enjoyable blockbuster since the mid-1990s (Jurassic Park, Twister). And here I thought that the problem was just me being unable to go back there. (29/07/2011)

Along with X-Men, this is the second blockbuster this year that pushes the envelope in spectacular ways (WETA studio has once again pushed the boundaries of the impossible) while not being afraid to be clever. There may be some reservations regarding it, but we will see after the second screening. Very soon. [PS: When I heard the word "No!" my heart stopped for a few seconds.] (22/08/2011)

Leaving aside Green Hornet, which came out in winter, this is the first blockbuster of the year that managed to not only meet my expectations, but to surpass them, too. If you really wanted to dig into it, you’ll find loads of inconsistencies in logic, but this film is so entertaining, genuine and emotional that I will not get into that. The old classic can be glad to have such a good young sibling, It has nothing to be ashamed of. I loved the references and I would love to take little Caesar home :) (16/08/2011)