War For the Planet of the Apes

[Dave Starsky]

I finally got to see this movie yesterday, having been too busy this summer to get out to the theater much.

I won't talk about my opinion on the film or mention any spoilers. But I do want to discuss something about this movie that ABSOLUTELY blew my away--something that just in itself moved me to tears, because you almost never see it in ANY movies anymore, let alone "summer action blockbusters".

There are several looong stretches in this movie in which characters are interacting and there is almost COMPLETE SILENCE. There is no talking (not even any gestures). There is no snappy, snarky banter. There are no explosions or gunshots or screaming or smashing of glass objects or anything. There are just two (or more) characters communicating without saying a single word, and yet somehow you know everything that is being said. That communication is all the more poignant and powerful because of it.

It got me thinking that this something that you used to see in popular films all the time. Film IS, after all a visual art form. Yet for many decades, Hollywood has not trusted the audience to have the brains or attention span to figure things out on their own, and so this kind of thing has been relegated to "indie" cinema more or less, like the movies of Gaspar Noe.

(Not that there aren't explosions, gunshots, and screaming in WFTPOTA. It is, after all, a "war" movie. But it is more like "Grand Illusion" or "Bridge on the River Kwai" than "The Longest Day". The actual fighting stuff doesn't play that large a role.)

Just before this movie was released a couple of months ago, 20th Century Fox released this poster for it, which I thought was oddly compelling--and, again, not something you're used to seeing for a "summer action blockbuster". It has sort of a retro late 1960s design:



Having seen the movie, I can see why this poster was absolutely perfect for it and why the studio chose it. This IS a scene from the movie, and there are many others in it that are similar. They are all very moving, powerful moments. They are just beautiful.

[Bayard]

1. Sorry

I thought this was going to be about the current state of affairs in the U.S.

[MFM008]

4. There is plenty of it

lots of maggot in chief news........

[lunasun]

2. I have seen all Planet of the Apes movies . They have a lot to say about our planet and all its

inhabitants. I never saw that movie poster but yes there are some wonderful scenes like that which are very moving .
Hollywood I guess likes to think it won't be a block buster summer movie if it isn't action and noise every second or if there is a moment of silent interlude
It was one of two movies I saw at the show this summer but I knew this would be a must see before even going and another one is in the works I read

[Dave Starsky]

3. I've seen them all, too. Been a fan my whole life.

But I've been particularly stunned by the quality and consistency of these last three movies. There is a tremendous amount of depth to them, and yet they are mostly CGI (EXTREMELY well-done and seamless CGI, but CGI nonetheless).

And that brings me to another subject: actors who are essentially using computer graphics as makeup and costuming. I think Andy Serkis is one of the finest actors we have today, but he will never be nominated for an Academy Award because no one ever sees him performing "in the flesh". ALL of the actors playing the apes in these movies are great. They are the reason why these characters are so compelling and not just the phony-looking product of computer wizardry.

[MFM008]

5. Due to the terrific acting

especially by Andy Serkis.
(annd CGI)

[lunasun]

6. Serkis deserve award recognition.So good & Woody harrelson was not a one dimensional villian either

Yes all terrific acting

[yagotme]

7. Prior to color, animation, graphics, etc.,

good actors had to actually ACT. Facial expressions, the long pauses for effect you noted, actually showing physical drama. Thought that this was a lost art form. Will have to watch movie now to check it out.