Molo at the Movies: Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Is there much value in blogging about movies that have been out for a couple weeks?  Probably not, but hey, it says "film" right up there with "art" and "music" in my header and so here's a review of Rise of the Planet of the Apes. 

I must point out the effects team did a heck of a job at creating believable sideways glances from the star digital ape, Caesar. 

Caesar is a master of the evil eye and the knowing look.  I don't think I've ever seen a digital character pull off such things before.  Well done.  Props.  They also did a good job of animating John Lithgow. Oh Snap!  His performance was a bit reminiscent of Peter O'toole's turn in Thomas Kincade's The Christmas Cottage.  Legendary, for all the wrong reasons.  Okay Lithgow doesn't deserve that, he did a fine job. 

Aside from a few hokey moments the script was very well done and clever -the story takes a bit to really get rolling, but it's a good build up, and the scenes with Caesar learning and matching wits against Draco Malfroy (I'm sure the actor has a real name, right?) in the shelter are quite fun.  Plus, who doesn't love a Gorilla and a wise Orangutan kicking ass?  We know all know the apes are going to rise up; it's in the telling that you have any story at all, and this movie does a good job.  Best of the summer movies I have seen. 

4 Molos