Dark before the Dawn

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (12a)
Running time 130 minutes
Rating:****
Ever since ‘old Woodenface’ – otherwise known by some as Charlton Heston – played a character who landed his space capsule on a strange planet inhabited by English-speaking apes, cinema-viewing humans have rightly regarded this concept with some respect and indeed, affection.
Setting the acting aside, the idea – which began as a sci-fi story from French author Pierre Boulle in 1963 – has remained strong and relevant ever since the original 1968 film. The idea of human beings genetically enhancing the intelligence of a research ape, and then apes taking over when disease has wiped out 99 per cent of us, is a thought-provoking concept, even though it’s the ants that are better positioned for world domination.
The latest sequel or prequel (it’s possible to argue that both are correct) is Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and a mighty fine piece of work it is too.
It’s not often critics can say of a mass audience blockbuster film that it is thoughtful, emotionally subtle, has a neat and balanced narrative structure and is, at the same time, a good 130 minutes of entertainment.
Director Matt Reeves has brought all his skills learned on a number of lesser films to bear on this project and has created a fine drama, even though those of us of a certain age, or those who subscribe to Netflix), already know the ending.
Reeves is helped immeasurably in his work by a well-crafted script, delivered by top quality actors, such as Gary Oldman, Jason Clarke and the hugely talented, but rarely seen, Andy Serkis.
The story – after the last prequel – resumes with Caesar (Serkis ), the intellectually enhanced ape, fleeing with his new tribe to the woods after a battle with the doomed humans. Mankind meanwhile is scratching a living among the wreckage.
The humans need power, as their fuel is running out, and want to get a hydro-electric plant going again, but this is in the ape’s territory and first contact is not good.
Leader of the humans, Malcolm (Clarke), negotiates a kind of peace with Caesar, despite the opposition of psychotic ape sidekick Koba and psychotic human sidekick Dreyfus (Oldman), but despite some good things, such as helping Caesar’s wife recover from illness, it is all – as we know – doomed from the start.
Increasingly, the fears of humans and apes overcome good intentions and battle resumes, leaving the story nicely poised for another prequel or sequel to the prequel (whatever) in the very near future.
If that next film is as well constructed, nicely scripted, skillfully photographed and ably directed as this, then people should flock in to watch a tale of their own racial demise.