Reviews

As both a simian simile and a wonder of technology, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" deserves to be in the company of the great original Kong. This year's sixth "origins" story of a fantasy franchise (after The Green Hornet, Thor, X-Men: First Class, Green Lantern and Captain America: The First Avenger) is also the year's finest action movie.

By Richard Corliss, from Time

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" does it right. Smart, fun and thoroughly enjoyable, it's a model summer diversion that entertains without insulting your intelligence. Adroitly blending the most modern technology with age-old story elements, it's also an origin story that answers the question that's been hanging in the air since 1968: How did it happen that apes rule?

By Kenneth Turan, from Los Angeles Times

While "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" has its problems, the performance of Andy Serkis as the chimpanzee named Caesar who ultimately leads his fellow apes in a revolt against their oppressors is not one of them.

Serkis' performance as Caesar should put an end to any and all debates over the validity of the technology and the worthiness of actors in performance capture suits of earning recognition for their hard work. Serkis knows performance capture in a way no other actor does, and director Rupert Wyatt's decision to cast him as the main ape -- a decision that was likely a no-brainer -- was absolutely pivotal in making "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" rise above being simply a summer action blockbuster into, at times, an endearing and emotionally draining film. Caesar is the most sympathetic and fully realized character of the film, and that's due to Serkis' amazing performance.

By Rebecca Murray, from About.com