Caesar Loves Humans More than Apes. – Koba
I always think Apes better than Humans. I see now how much like them we are. – Caesar
– Dawn of the Planet of the Apes
Not since the beast Salman Khan emerged out of the womb have things looked so bleak for the human race.
Simian flu and fighting have brought the human race to the brink, leaving pockets of survivors here and there in a powerless, effete state.
As the wise (chimp) Caesar says a decade later:
Humans destroyed each other.
Power – Elixir of Life
In San Francisco, a few hundred human survivors have closeted themselves in a derelict colony.
Fuel supplies are running very low!
Outlook is grim.
The dam! The dam!
Hydel power! Only hope for humans!
For electric lights and the many aspects of life that power enables.
But power inevitably flows through the barrel of a Gun, right?
What about Caesar?
Hunting deer, leaping from branch to branch and awaiting the birth of a new son.
That’s Caesar and his simian followers.
Seeking the strongest branch! Chimps do that literally and humans follow metaphorically!
No, No, No, No!
They’re not just animals, despite Gary Oldman’s primeval screams.
Caesar is wise!
What about Koba?
Koba is evil!
Tortured by humans, Koba knows only hatred!
Koba is Stalin!
Read your history!
As with humans, so with chimps.
Lust for power and betrayal rear its head.
Like with the historical Caesar, the chimp leader too is betrayed by one closest to him!
Power Struggle
The underlying thread of the movie is the struggle for power on both sides (between humans and apes and inside the two species).
Even the names of two key characters, Caesar and Koba (Stalin’s nickname), suggest the battle to seize power.
How the key characters and species maintain, seize and lose power is at the heart of the movie.
Gripping visuals, engaging narrative and memorable characters are props for the pursuit of power.
Until breath exists in my body will I not forget the sight of chimps atop horses like conquerors!
Is that scene a metaphor for shift in the balance of power from humans to apes? Perhaps!
Now, I’ve seen many strange sights in a long life but nothing comparable to a Chimp riding a Horse.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a remarkable film in its depiction of the sad, ceaseless power quest of humans and their forbears, the apes!
Visually compelling and script-ually addictive, the movie is a testament to the power of imagination.
Of course, I have minor grouses!
Except for the Gorilla Warfare track, the soundtrack didn’t endear itself much to me.
Folks, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is more than a worthy sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a powerful film that demands your presence at the movie hall.
War is coming!
And so is another sequel! 😉
SI can’t wait!
Related Planet of the Apes Content:
Rise of Planet of the Apes – A Champ of a Chimp Film
Dawn of Planet of the Apes – Gorgeous added by SearchIndia.com on
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I watched the movie yesterday in 3d.
I didn’t like 3D viewing at all. It takes me following Movie Story at all.
Coming to Movie, It can be considered as great among Contemporary Cinema, but certainly not worth to book it’s place in list of all time greats.
Caesar and Korba are mindblowing ( both in effects and character development).
Gary OldMan is wasted in his role, while I hate Malcolm to the core.
Special Effects are exceptional and Camerawork is pretty decent without shaking handy Cams.
In my opinion, poor performance by Humans prevent movie from realising its full potential.
It’s two time watch. Certainly best big budget Hollywood Movie in last 3 or 4 years.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Agree that Jason Clarke (Malcolm) is not the greatest of actors. Others including Gary Oldman have minor roles.
But the beauty of the film is that the whole is so powerful that it easily compensates for and covers up some flaws.
2. The movie is the Caesar – Koba show and power struggle supported by strong visual elements and a strong narrative.
Power (of one kind or the other) is the underlying thread – Human quest for (electric) power, ape quest for greater power vis-a-vis humans, ape power-struggle etc.
Even the names Caesar & Koba (Stalin’s nickname) suggest power.
3. Agree that it won’t make my all-time Great list too but definitely one of the fine films in recent years
I watched it in 2D. Most 3D films are not worth the extra $3.
There are many People who couldn’t offer three meals a day in Tirupur, yet most of theatres showing Dawn of Planet of the Apes are showing it in 3D format.
This is Incredible India.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
After creating Indians, God not only broke the mold but closed the mold factory! 😉
BTW, how much is a 3D ticket in Tirupur for the evening show, i.e. after 6PM?
Here 3D tickets range from $14.75 (smaller towns) – $18.75 (NYC) for evening shows.
I watched in Varanasi Cineplex for Rs.60, which is more than decent deal. On dollar it costs about 1dollar per ticket.
But I couldn’t enjoy 3D experience at all. Maybe it was tampered or something fraud activities Indians are used upto.
Anyway, my first 3D experience was pretty bad and irritating.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
A buck for a 3D film is a great deal!
Even the Chinese egg rolls I smuggle into the theatre cost $1.50! 🙁
3D is generally a rip-off except for films like Avatar!
At the request of one of our readers, I watched Burn After Reading the other day.
I’ll upload the review in a couple of hours.
Where is the review?
Where is it?
I want to read it now!
Right now!
I demand it! :-))
SearchIndia.com Responds:
I borrowed Burn After Reading from my local library & watched it.
Sweetie, I’ve finished the review. But I don’t want to distract attention from Dawn of Planet of the Apes.
Sonny is paying for the ads! 😉
So I decided to upload Burn After Reading Monday or Tuesday!
Cool review, will be checking out this film tonight.
On a different note, I’m not sure if you have seen any Richard Linklater films, but this looks very interesting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ys-mbHXyWX4.
It has limited release in NY and LA right now.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Seen through the prism of Power play, Dawn of Planet of the Apes is a fine film.
2. Boyhood looks interesting. It’s coming to Philly next week.
Let’s see if I can make it!
I doubt if I’ve seen any of Richard Linklater’s films…Perhaps a few minutes of Fast Food Nation written by Robert Redford’s son-in-law.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MpGoLXLQu_0
Telugu Drushyam Trailor, At least see this now.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Ah, master piece.
Surefire Oscar sweep!