War for the Planet of the Apes

15 years after the Simian flu wiped out most of the humans on Earth, Caesar (Andy Serkis – Gollum from Lord of the Rings) still rules the baboons, apes and chimpanzees that live together in harmony. Since the remaining humans seek only seek to hunt, kill or keep apes as slaves, they live hidden behind a waterfall – safe from the violence and hatred. But the humans are always hunting them, and they are getting closer…

One night soldiers find their village and one kills Caesar’s wife and son. Caesar chases but is unable to catch him. Torn between vengeance for his loved ones, and his desire to lead and protect his people, he embarks on his quest to kill the Colonel (Woody Harrelson). His friends accompany him to make sure that he comes back alive, though things go from bad to worse very rapidly…

Woody Harrelson is utterly charismatic and compelling as the Colonel blind to humanity in his desire to save it; breathing life into what could be a very two-dimensional character. Like the rest of the films in this series, this is an engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking film. For those who have not had the pleasure of seeing any of the franchise yet, this is still accessible and well worth a watch.