Dawn of the Planet of the Apes – reviews of sci-fi sequel
Critics praise gripping, spectacular and 'impressively un-stupid' Apes franchise follow-up
What you need to know
American science fiction film Dawn of the Planet of the Apes has opened in UK cinemas. Matt Reeves directs this sequel to the 2011 film Rise of the Planet of the Apes, continuing the reboot of the Planet of the Apes series, which began in the late 1960s.
The movie is set ten years after Rise of Planet of the Apes, in a world where the fragile peace between human survivors of a deadly virus and a society of highly-evolved apes led by Caesar is threatened by mutual mistrust and revenge.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
It stars Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke and Andy Serkis (Gollum in Lord of the Rings) as Caesar, and features special effects from Peter Jackson's Weta team.
What the critics like
Matt Reeves' "impressively uncompromising, propulsive and poignant sequel" is so good you soon you take the special effects for granted as you're so wrapped up in the journey, says Ian Nathan in Empire. It's superbly mounted, powerfully performed and its technical ambitions are beautifully married to the story.
It's "impressively un-stupid", and engages with genuine ideas about diplomacy, deterrence, law and leadership, says Tim Robey in the Daily Telegraph. The special effects serve character far more than spectacle, and it's the characters who make this a ride worth taking.
This gripping account of interspecies conflict manages to maintain a simmering level of tension while making "a powerful humanistic statement", says Todd McCarthy in the Hollywood Reporter. It's also beautifully shot and features quite a few frightening, suspenseful and just plain awesome sights.
What they don't like
It is spectacular but its biggest weakness is that homo sapiens offer little to rival the performances of the apes, such as Serkis's Caesar, says Steve Rose in The Guardian. Oldman doesn't get enough screen time to really register, Clarke is serviceable and, as with so many wars, "the first casualty is female speaking roles".
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Today's political cartoons - November 2, 2024
Cartoons Saturday's cartoons - anti-fascism, early voter turnout, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Geoff Capes obituary: shot-putter who became the World’s Strongest Man
In the Spotlight The 'mighty figure' was a two-time Commonwealth Champion and world-record holder
By The Week UK Published
-
Israel attacks Iran: a 'limited' retaliation
Talking Point Iran's humiliated leaders must decide how to respond to Netanyahu's measured strike
By The Week UK Published
-
The Count of Monte Cristo review: 'indecently spectacular' adaptation
The Week Recommends Dumas's classic 19th-century novel is once again given new life in this 'fast-moving' film
By The Week UK Published
-
Death of England: Closing Time review – 'bold, brash reflection on racism'
The Week Recommends The final part of this trilogy deftly explores rising political tensions across the country
By The Week UK Published
-
Sing Sing review: prison drama bursts with 'charm, energy and optimism'
The Week Recommends Colman Domingo plays a real-life prisoner in a performance likely to be an Oscars shoo-in
By The Week UK Published
-
Kaos review: comic retelling of Greek mythology starring Jeff Goldblum
The Week Recommends The new series captures audiences as it 'never takes itself too seriously'
By The Week UK Published
-
Blink Twice review: a 'stylish and savage' black comedy thriller
The Week Recommends Channing Tatum and Naomi Ackie stun in this film on the hedonistic rich directed by Zoë Kravitz
By The Week UK Published
-
Shifters review: 'beautiful' new romantic comedy offers 'bittersweet tenderness'
The Week Recommends The 'inventive, emotionally astute writing' leaves audiences gripped throughout
By The Week UK Published
-
How to do F1: British Grand Prix 2025
The Week Recommends One of the biggest events of the motorsports calendar is back and better than ever
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Twisters review: 'warm-blooded' film explores dangerous weather
The Week Recommends The film, focusing on 'tornado wranglers', stars Daisy Edgar-Jones and Glen Powell
By The Week UK Published