Generations have passed since Caesar created an ape society and led them to safety. Since then his memory has been lost to some whilst others still revere him as a prophetic figure.
Noa (Owen Teague) has never heard of Caesar, having lived his entire life within the safety of his clan. But when another ape clan raids his home and kidnaps his people he sets off on a journey to rescue them.
On this journey he makes friends with an orangutan named Raka (Peter Macon) who claims to be the last surviving member of ‘The Order of Caesar’ and teaches him of his life and work. One of these teachings is compassion and he asks Noa to show this to the feral human (Freya Allan) who is following them. As they make friends with her, Raka decides they will name her ‘Nova’ which is what they name all female humans.
Ultimately their journey will take them to the Kingdom ruled by Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand) who uses Caesar’s teachings to dominate and control the apes within his clan. His ultimate goal is to open the entrance to an ancient man-made bunker which he believes holds treasures that can bestow rapid evolution on the apes. Proximus also has a particular fascination for this Nova and the increased intelligence she shows over other humans.
Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is the tenth feature in the long running franchise, the fourth in this current series but the first of a new story. Whilst it is a direct sequel to the trilogy of Rise (2011), Dawn (2014) and War (2017) it is also very much a stand alone beginning to a story that clearly wants to run for more films to come. As such it can very much be watched as your introduction to the franchise or appreciated as another film in a family of them. Fans will certainly appreciate nods such as the name Nova, a children’s doll discovered, humans being hunted with nets and a human settlement within the rocks of a beach. Whilst newcomers can be wowed by the visual effects and deep lore held within the story.
Personally I found Kingdom to be a solid and fascinating beginning, but not necessarily a fulfilling feature in its own right. It is endlessly compelling to ponder where it might go but I was also left wanting to know more about the characters and clans featured here. The idea of three central characters all with a different relationship to Caesar is intriguing, but is not explored as much as it could have been. The clans of the apes splintering off and having different beliefs and specialties is also genuinely exciting. The Eagle Clan that Noa belongs to build their homes within old human pylons like nests, have rites of passage for their young and have rules about never leaving their valley. Whilst Proximus is obsessed with old human technology and a perverted sense of Caesar’s teachings. Perhaps being left wanting is good for the franchise as a whole because there is so much more to explore here but it does also leave a sense of holding things back because it serves the franchise rather than the story.
Where the film excels without any caveats are the visual effects. There must be less than a handful of shots in the entire film that do not have effects work and yet it looks utterly seamless. You will believe these ape societies exist and honestly it is a sight to marvel at.
From a character perspective I had mixed feelings as well. Proximus portrayed by Kevin Durand felt the most complete and understandable character despite having the least screen time of them all. His purpose and motives loud and clear in his actions and words. Raka and Noa on the other hand we either did not spend enough time with or we should expect to grow. Noa is the new lead of the franchise and it is clear that the goal is to give him a story and character arc similar to Caesar in the first film. Whilst Raka is a character who I definitely want to know more of. Most disappointing for me though was the character of Nova played by Freya Allan whose story I just found hard to believe in the context of the information given here. Perhaps this will change with future films.
Writer Josh Friedman and director Wes Ball have delivered a fascinating film that is far from your normal blockbuster. I applaud the way they have eschewed all out action to try and build new characters and stories within the framework of what has gone before and I am really intrigued to see where it may take us. But I was also left wanting in a manner that none of the trilogy that went before this ever left me. I dislike the feeling that sequels are needed to round out an opinion on this new platform.
Well worth your time and I really hope it builds from here.
If you want to read more of my opinions on Planet of the Apes check these out:
Phil the Bear's Film Reviews 
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