Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Primate Potions Permanent – Be Scared Be Very Scared
Rise of the Planet of the Apes, PG-13, ***1/2, James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Brian Cox. 20th Century Fox film. Director Rupert Wyatt. Length 105 minutes.

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” brings a compelling story to a new generation. The movie will inspire movie fans to rent the original “Planet of the Apes.” It begins with capturing chimpanzees and bringing them to San Francisco for scientific experiments.
Will Rodman (James Franco) works for a company trying to find a cure for Alzheimer’s. He is testing the drug ALZ 112 on the chimpanzees in order to see if it helps to improve their intelligence.
All primates and everything in the animal kingdom protect their young. If the parent senses danger for their off springs, they will act with fury. When an incident occurs demonstrating the ferocity of a mad chimpanzee trying to protect her little one, the CEO of the company orders Rodman to stop the experiments. Rodman takes the baby chimpanzee home with him. He names the young primate Caesar. This way he can continue the experiments that he is confident will soon begin to work.
Unfortunately, Rodman’s father (John Lithgow) has early stages of Alzheimer’s. This horrible disease takes its toll on the individuals mind, and it is heartbreaking for families. Rodman decides to try the drug on his father. He upgrades the drug to ALZ 113. Remarkably his father begins to improve.
The experiment appears to be working, and his father is more like his old self. The two enjoy their new pet chimpanzee Caesar. Rodman meets Caroline (Freida Pinto) who is an expert in the field of primate studies. She cautions Rodman to be careful with the experiment, because some changes are not good. I believe that change is the way to learn and be progressive. However, in this case, the audience will learn that it just might not be a good idea.
Caesar begins to use sign language, and he can understand directions and sense danger. The ALZ 113 continues to give Caesar more brain power and intelligence. However, it may not work the same with humans.
This is an entertaining movie coupled with great story telling. Bringing to light the account of what happened before the movie “Planet of the Apes.” The audience will be transported into the horrible creation of “Planet of the Apes.”
On a visit to the zoo several years ago, I observed a large ape in his cage. People were gawking and irritating the ape. He was at the back of the cage, and he ran to the front and slammed both of his arms against the protective glass where the gawking and teasing was taking place. After several times of slamming his arms against the glass with extreme force, loudness and aggression, the gawking ended and the culprits hurriedly left.
The alpha male behavior taking place in several scenes of this movie reminded me of the above experience. Caesar has to be locked up with other primates. The reader will have to see the movie to understand what happened to cause this. In a group somebody will rise as the leader. Caesar does this in a very intelligent and somewhat conniving way.
Protection vs. aggression will give the audience food for thought. There are some messages in this movie to ponder if one so desires. It is a very interesting mixture of science and human behavior vs. primate behavior.
The special effects are very well done. From the large redwood trees to battles between man and ape, the movie takes the audience on an unusual journey. The primate’s are agile so they swing through the trees from limb to limb with speed and accuracy moving toward their destination. This reminds us of Tarzan when he is racing toward his objective. Climbing the trees in the Redwood forest and enjoying a semi-habitat allows them to be free to live the life they understand and love. The intensity of the passage into slow but sure darkness builds suspense from the beginning to the final scene. At the same time, giving the audience information on how all living things want to be treated with respect.
The viewer will learn that sometimes it is best to leave some things alone. When we go too far, it can return to bite us. No pun intended or maybe pun is intended.