Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * * *

Cast: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit McPhee, Kirk Acevedo, Mick Thurstan, Terry Notary, Kero Konoval, Judy Greer, Jon Eyez, Enrique Murciano, Doc Shaw, Lee Ross, Keir O’Donnell, Kevin Rankin, Jocko Sims, Al Vicente, Matt James, Richard King, Scott Lang, Deneen Tyler, Mustafa Harris, Lombardo Boyar, Mike Seal, J.D. Evermore, Chase Boltin, Michael Papajohn, Thomas Rosales, Jr, Carl Sutton, Christopher Berry.

It is probably now safe to finally sweep under the carpet the remains of Tim Burton’s woeful attempt to reboot The Planet of the Apes franchise, of course by sweep, it could suggested completely forget or at least only show to young cinema goers with one eye on making films as a way of discouraging making something so awful in their lifetimes.

If 2011’s Rise of the Planet of the Apes was technically superior in every way to Tim Burton’s attempt and on a par with the Charlton Heston original then Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is one step beyond again, the perfect evolution in story-telling and cinematic understanding.

The 1968 film still holds fans agog with its premise and captures on the whole the ideas set down by French writer Pierre Boulle, and whilst the sequels to that film have been by and large purely for the fan, Rise… and now Dawn of the Planet of the Apes really kicks down the door that was left from the 1970s. As prequels go, you don’t get much better that when the director, Matt Reeves, leaves your heart banging against the rib cage with the same excitement of being on a roller coaster for a couple of hours. From start to finish Dawn of the Planet of the Apes will conquer your breath, steal it away on horseback and only give it back as the final credits roll.

Much of this comes down to two men, the sublime Andy Serkis and Toby Kebbell as Caesar and Koba. This is important as both men play the lead Ape roles. For the first time in the eight films the attention is fully focused on the Ape rather than humanity’s plight, it is a bold move, it is an exceedingly ingenious move and it works because the cinema goer, whilst primarily rooting for the Human survivors of the Simian Flu, led by a very good Jason Clarke and the acting precision of Gary Oldman, will find their attention focus on Caesar and Koba and recognise every Human frailty and strength in them.

It is a strategy that defines the way the franchise has come back stronger than ever and despite the gap between the original five films and these two prequels can only bode well for a third and should see Andy Serkis receive due deference for what he puts himself through in the name of art.

If only other directors had the courage to play with the past without ruining something, the possibilities could be then considered astronomical.

Welcome to the jungle, life will change forever.

Ian D. Hall