“War” Reviews Shows ‘Apes. Together. Strong’
Following some stellar early social media reaction, full reviews are now available for Matt Reeves’ “War for the Planet of the Apes” and the word is excellent. The film is currently sitting at 95% (7.9/10) on Rotten Tomatoes and at 79/100 on Metacritic.
The first score is on par with “Logan,” the latter score is on par with the previous entry, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” along with “Iron Man,” “Silence,” “Green Room,” “Your Name,” “Sing Street,” and “Black Swan”.
The few criticisms seem to be that of the film being “too bleak”, whilst others complain that in exploring some very dark tangeants it feels a bit hollower overall than the previous two films. Only a few are mixed on it however with most unanimously praising it. Here’s a sample of quotes:
“The fact that a genre entry of this nature, with no intrinsic need of being philosophically nuanced, goes out of its way to endow even its ostensible villains with comprehensible motives rates as a notable achievement..” –
Todd McCarthy, The Hollywood Reporter
“It’s fitting that the visual effects have advanced so dramatically since 2011, as it allows the series to suggest that its ape protagonists have evolved to an equivalent degree, and yet, “War’s” story is beneath their intelligence.” –
Peter Debruge, Variety
“Brimming with emotional intelligence, the human texture Reeves delivers in Apes separates his film from the rest of the tentpole pack.” –
Rodrigo Perez, The Playlist
“The effects are incredible, the action is exciting, the music is great, and Andy Serkis, once again embodying a non-human character through motion-capture technology, remains terrific. But there’s something more here.” –
Bilge Ebiri, Village Voice
“It’s engrossing every inch of the way, with casualties, infighting, character flaws, war mongering, and some delicious grandstanding from Harrelson.” –
Fionnuala Halligan, Screen International
“With War for the Planet of the Apes, technological wizardry and first-rate storytelling combine into a bracing action-adventure that concludes the best science fiction trilogy since the original trio of ‘Star Wars’ movies.” –
Eric Kohn, Indiewire
“Like Caesar and company, the films seem to be getting more intelligent and human as they evolve.” –
Chris Nashawaty, Entertainment Weekly
“War for the Planet of the Apes is an excellent closing act to this rebooted trilogy, but also one that does enough world-building that the series can potentially continue from here – and it’s a rare case where, after three movies, we’re left wanting more.” –
Scott Collura, IGN
“This solid if unspectacular finish to the Apes trilogy features an A-game Andy Serkis and incredible VFX, but its darker excesses threaten to suffocate at times.” –
Matt Maytum, Total Film
“Reeves marshals more than his fair share of battle scenes and sweeping set-pieces, but never forgets the flicker of a face can provide all the spectacle that cinema requires.” –
Robbie Collin, The Telegraph
“The psychological wars that have made the prequels simmer with tightly wound tensions are given their most cutting treatment yet.” –
Peter Goldberg, Slant Magazine
“War for the Planet of the Apes” opens in cinemas on July 14th.