Director: Matt Reeves
Writer: Mark Bomback, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver (Screenplay) Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver (Characters)
Starring: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell, Toby Kebbell, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Kirk Acevedo, Nick Thurston
Plot: Ten years after a pandemic disease, apes who have survived it are drawn into battle with a group of human survivors.
Verdict: Almost Perfect
Story: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes starts by giving us all the information that we need to have to fill in the gaps between the two films, explaining how the virus spread around the world. We watch how Caesar (Serkis) leads his apes in a hunting mission teaching his son how to hunt and survive. We see how they have built a society together in the woods, helping each other progress and survive. The ape's peaceful world gets shattered by an encounter in the woods with a group of humans. Malcolm (Clarke) leader of the group tries to calm things but when one of the apes is shot the quiet life will change. The humans living in the remains of San Francesco are planning to use the dam for power.
Neither side wants war, the apes make that clear if the humans return they will end up having a war. Malcolm talks his leader Dreyfus (Oldman) into the peaceful approach leading him to return to the woods to try his best to negotiate with Caesar. We are left to see which side will make the first mistake and create a war neither side wants.
Dawn of the Planet of the Apes does something I have rarely if ever seen in film, it creates two sides in a war that are actually good, both want the same thing but both have just one person on their side that could change everything. We are left waiting as tension rises and teases the first strike that could shatter the peace. What we get is brilliant character development on both sides showing just how similar both sides are. My only negative thing to say about this film is that Malcolm didn't explain the situation about his three days, which could have stopped everything happening. This is something very special when it comes to storytelling it manages to make you care for every good character and dislike the trigger happy ones. (10/10)
Actor Review
Andy Serkis: Caesar the king of the apes, he has built a community in the woods where he keeps everyone safe. When the humans turn up he protects with warnings, but also agrees to let them do their work. He starts to lose respect of his apes who question his leadership all while he is trying to stop a war from happening. Andy gives a brilliant performance and the king of the motion caption should get some serious recognition from the academy. (10/10)
Jason Clarke: Malcolm the human who tries to get the power working for the humans. He gains the trust of Caesar even though the people he is with are less so. He builds a respectful friendship between the two who both want peace but they will both have to fight for it in the end. Jason gives a great performance stepping into the footsteps Franco left for the leading male. (9/10)
Gary Oldman: Dreyfus the leader of the humans who would rather shot before trying a peaceful answer. Gary makes for a solid supporting performance as a leader who keeping things calm. (7/10)
Keri Russell: Ellie a former doctor who helps on the mission to get power and her medical skills come in handy for the apes. Keri gives a solid supporting performance but seems to be limited with what her character does. (7/10)
Toby Kebbell: Koba the long serving warrior to Caesar who doesn't trust the humans, he goes against orders to start a battle no one wanted. Toby gives a good performance in the motion capture technology. (9/10)
Support Cast: Be it the apes in motion capture suits or the humans we get good performances from everyone each showing how they just want to be safe.
Director Review: Matt Reeves – Matt does a great directing this film, he fills it with real emotion mixed with action that keep your attention from start to finish. (9/10)
Action: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes saves its action for just a couple of moments but each one being saved up makes the action feel more intense. (9/10)
Drama: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is filled with a dramatic tone that shows how everyone is just trying to get through the struggle the world faces. (9/10)
Sci-Fi: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes shows a dark future that is filled with glimpses of hope but only if peace is achieved. (9/10)
Thriller: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes builds up the tension from the moment the humans and apes first clash, waiting for the battle to begin. (9/10)
Cinematography: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes creates beautiful cinematography. (10/10)
Settings: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes' settings are created wonderfully to make us feel like we are in a post-apocalyptic world. (10/10)
Special Effects: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes uses amazing special effects to create the apes with the motion capture suits and battles. (10/10)
Suggestion: Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is a must watch for everyone, it shows perfect drama, action and emotional drive. (Watch)
Best Part of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes: The tension builds up.
Believability: No (0/10)
Chances of Tears: No (0/10)
Chances of Sequel: Yes it will have one.
Post Credits Scene: A small one.
Oscar Chances: This could get nomination for visual effects and many technical ones but could this give Andy Serkis one?
Box Office: $708 Million
Tagline: One last chance for peace
Overall: It Is That Good
By Darren Lucas • Posted in 2014, Action, D, Drama, Sci-Fi, Thriller	• Tagged Amanda Silver, Andy Serkis, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, Kirk Acevedo, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Mark Bomback, Matt Reeves, Nick Thurston, Rick Jaffa, Toby Kebbell
Star Focus – Sonequa Martin-Green
Sonequa Martin-Green
Number of Roles: 16
Biggest Role: The Walking Dead
Debut Role: Not Quite Right (2005)
2005- 2009: Upon making her first acting appearance in 'Not Quite Right' in 2005 Sonequa went on to appear in two popular television shows 'Law & Order: Criminal Intent' and 'Army Wives'. Sonequa also went onto appear in supporting roles in films 'Blind Thoughts' and 'Rivers Wash Over Me' there was one lead role for Sonequa in 'Toe to Toe' which is a sports drama about lacrosse.
Television Roles:
Law & Order: Criminal Intent (2008)
Army Wives (2009) 3 Episodes
The Good Wife (2009-2011) 8 Episodes
Gossip Girl (2011)
NYC 22 (2012) 5 Episodes
Once Upon a Time (2013) 7 Episodes
The Walking Dead (2012 – 2015) 37 Episodes
Break Out Role: As a television star I think The Good Wife would be her break out role as her film career has yet to truly take off yet.
2010 Onwards: Sonequa got supporting roles in three major television shows at the start of this decade with appearance in 'The Good Wife', 'Once Upon a Time' and 'The Walking Dead' all three shows are long running and she appeared in multiply episodes. The only released film she starred in was 'Shockwave Darkside'.
My Favourite Role: Sasha Williams – The Walking Dead – Sasha is sister of Tyreese who meets up with our hero Rick while they group are still at the prisoner. She joins the fight against the Governor, she ends up with Bob and Maggie after the attack on the prisoner, while everyone is searching for loved ones while still trying to survivor. Sasha has proven herself good in combat and while only a supporting character she could become much more important in the future.
By Darren Lucas • Posted in Star Focus	• Tagged Sasha Williams, Sonequa, Sonequa Martin-Green, The Walking Dead
Trailer Alert – The World Made Straight
Plot – In a rural Appalachian community haunted by the legacy of a Civil War massacre, a rebellious young man struggles to escape the violence that would bind him to the past.
Release Date: Non set for UK
An interesting looking drama but where will this go?
Will I Be Watching? Yes
Will You Be Watching?
My Anticipation Rating – 60%
My Guess Rating – 60%
Will It Be Number One In UK? – No
By Darren Lucas • Posted in Preview