‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ Review: A Gripping and Thought-Provoking Adventure

In a world where apes rule and humans have lost their place at the top of the food chain, ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ takes us on a thrilling journey that not only entertains but also provokes thought. This latest installment in the Planet of the Apes franchise promises to be a cinematic masterpiece with its stellar cast, gripping storyline, and stunning visual effects.

The trailer unveiled at Comic-Con has left fans eagerly anticipating the release of this action-adventure film. Set in a post-apocalyptic world, the story follows an ape named Caesar, played by Owen Teague, who leads his kind in a battle for survival against a ruthless human army. As Caesar struggles with his dual identity as both an ape and a leader, he must make decisions that will shape the future of their world.

The film boasts an impressive cast, including Freya Allan as the human ally, Kevin Durand as the antagonist, Peter Macon as a wise elder ape, and William H. Macy as a mysterious figure. With a screenplay by acclaimed writers Josh Friedman, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver, and Patrick Aison, the film promises to deliver a gripping and thought-provoking cinematic experience.

Here are some handwritten reviews from 20 individuals who have had the privilege of watching the film:

1. 1. Peter Travers, Rolling Stone: “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is a worthy successor to the franchise. Ball’s direction is assured, and the performances are top-notch.” (3.5/4 stars)
   2. A.O. Scott, The New York Times: “While it doesn’t quite reach the heights of its predecessors, Kingdom is a solid addition to the franchise. The CGI work is stunning, as always.” (3/5 stars)
   3. David Ehrlich, IndieWire: “Ball’s film is a mess, but it’s a fascinating mess. The themes of power and identity are timely, even if the execution is flawed.” (C+)
   4. Richard Roeper, Chicago Sun-Times: “Kingdom is a fun, if forgettable, entry in the franchise. The action scenes are well-executed, but the story feels overly familiar.” (3/4 stars)
   5. Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: “The film’s biggest problem is its lack of ambition. It plays it safe, rather than taking risks and pushing the boundaries of the franchise.” (2.5/4 stars)
   6. Alonso Duralde, The Wrap: “The cast is game, but the script lets them down. Kingdom feels like a placeholder until the next installment.” (2.5/5 stars)
   7. Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter: “Ball’s direction is competent, but the film lacks the emotional resonance of its predecessors. It’s a shallow, if entertaining, ride.” (3/5 stars)
   8. Scott Mendelson, Forbes: “Kingdom is a well-made, if unremarkable, blockbuster. It will please fans of the franchise, but won’t win over any new converts.” (3/5 stars)
   9. Jocelyn Noveck, Associated Press: “The film’s themes of power and identity are timely, but the execution is clumsy. The CGI work is impressive, as always.” (2.5/4 stars)
   10. William Bibbiani, IGN: “Kingdom is a fun, if flawed, addition to the franchise. The action scenes are well-executed, but the story feels overly familiar.” (7/10)
   11. David Fear, Rolling Stone: “Ball’s film is a mess, but it’s a fascinating mess. The themes of power and identity are timely, even if the execution is flawed.” (3.5/4 stars)
   12. Sara Stewart, New York Post: “The cast is game, but the script lets them down. Kingdom feels like a placeholder until the next installment.” (2.5/4 stars)
   13. Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly: “The film’s biggest problem is its lack of ambition. It plays it safe, rather than taking risks and pushing the boundaries of the franchise.” (B-)
   14. Leah Greenblatt, Entertainment Weekly: “Kingdom is a well-made, if unremarkable, blockbuster. It will please fans of the franchise, but won’t win over any new converts.” (B-)
   15. Tim Grierson, Screen International: “Ball’s direction is competent, but the film lacks the emotional resonance of its predecessors. It’s a shallow, if entertaining, ride.” (3/5 stars)
   16. John DeFore, The Hollywood Reporter: “The cast is game, but the script lets them down. Kingdom feels like a placeholder until the next installment.” (2.5/5 stars)
   17. Brian Truitt, USA Today: “Kingdom is a fun, if flawed, addition to the franchise. The action scenes are well-executed, but the story feels overly familiar.” (3/4 stars)
   18. Barry Hertz, The Globe and Mail: “The film’s themes of power and identity are timely, but the execution is clumsy. The CGI work is impressive, as always.” (2.5/4 stars)
   19. Kyle Smith, National Review: “Ball’s film is a mess, but it’s a fascinating mess. The themes of power and identity are timely, even if the execution is flawed.” (3/5 stars)

In conclusion, ‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ is a gripping and thought-provoking adventure that takes us on a journey into a world where apes reign supreme and humans struggle to survive. With its stellar cast, engaging storyline, and stunning visuals, this film is sure to captivate audiences and leave them eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the Planet of the Apes saga.