>*"What a wonderful day!"*

Weaker than everything we've seen in the past trilogy, and for that it's underwhelming but ***Kingdom*** is still a decent movie overall. I almost went with a lower rating because a lot of this movie is so generic, predictable and it feels like we're focusing on the wrong stuff a lot of the time. With a timeskip like that you have the opportunity to reinvent the whole franchise and make new rules but it's all so... familiar.

The characters are it's biggest strength, what they did with Noa and Mae has me invested for the next entry. The direction seems predictable to me but I might be surprised. Raka was my favorite, an improvement over Maurice. Proximus was a good villain, his viewpoint and motivations are clear and I get where he's coming from. I love the focus on the legacy of Caesar in this movie and nothing can be more evil than a villain who messes with that.

This one was definitely overlong and not nearly enough action for all that runtime. The action we got was good for the most part but nothing that blew my mind. The bunker fits in the franchise perfectly, I even thought they were remaking *Beneath the Planet of the Apes* for a second there but it took another route. Perfect CGI and good-looking movie in general. No idea who to root for by the end and I like that but i'm not sure if it's fresh enough to reignite a new franchise.

Much like Rise, this is a solid entry that feels ripe for sequels to up the ante with the foundation built here. Noa has a compelling if more traditional coming of age hero’s journey than Caesar. Proximus is fun if not on the level of Koa or the Colonel. There’s a sinister curiosity to him, and I like the idea of twisting the well intentioned words of the past, turning ideals into fanaticism. It’s true to life, but like many of the themes here a little underexplored. The community taking him down when he stands alone with the power of their tradition is a great moment, but could’ve been built up more. Macon as Raka was a standout, very compassionate and thoughtful, every word and action thought out. He drew the eye every time he was on screen.

Freya Allan is also a highlight. She’s not the usual human ally or villain but an anti hero. You’re as conflicted as Noa is about whether she can be trusted. Her motivations are sympathetic, but the depths of what she’ll do to achieve her goals go deeper and deeper. It’s left ambiguous whether she’s go further, and whether she thinks getting humans back to where they were means sending apes back. There’s an entitlement and condescension to her- it was humans’ first, apes weren’t meant for this. As if it’s her right to decide. But there’s a pain and heartache to it, even a touch of self loathing. It’s a deft line Allan walks, and the ambiguity gives a lot of room to build with for sequels.

And of course, the visuals are great. The CGI and motion capture are so lifelike, and let the actors shine. And there’s some gorgeously lush environments. It’s a feast for the eyes. Kingdom is a worthy entry in the series, if not an exceptional one, but I’m optimistic that like Rise they can springboard off this framework to deliver even better and more ambitious entries.

Thoroughly enjoyed myself, however it's definitely the weakest of the franchise. The CGI is beautiful and it has many outstanding moments, but this new protagonist, Noa, lacks any of the depth and moral complexity that that made Caesar's character great. This movie focuses on [spoiler]how legacy can be perverted but ultimately doesn't do anything with it, instead making the main antagonist a follower of old roman ideas rather than using Caesar's teachings in a twisted way. It shows feral humans very briefly, but never does more with that concept beyond a single scene. A lot of this film is also a retread of themes and even specific plot points lifted from Dawn and War.[/spoiler]

[spoiler]Additionally, it doesn't explain where Mae or Trevathan came from, how they are so educated, and how they avoided becoming mute; The titular Kingdom is only gestured to from far away, and isn't actually an integral part of the story; How did the entire Eagle clan escape the water but only the two main antagonist apes made it out? It also seemed like there were a lot more apes outside the immediate inner courtyard that got flooded that are probably fine.[/spoiler] I just had a lot of unanswered questions.

Maybe I'm being too harsh on this movie because it has the impossible task of following up a nearly perfect trilogy, but ultimately I came out more excited for what comes next that what I had just watched.

I went into this movie expecting the kind of event blockbuster movies that exist nowadays purely to parade around the zombie of various IPs. This movie is definitely not that. Despite the obvious CGI required to portray the apes, the movie is actually not filled with action, instead taking a much slower and deliberate approach. I really appreciated that! I just wish the story and characters at the start were more engaging because frankly it feels a bit dull in the first half. The second half, however, introduces a new element that I found surprising and very interesting -- I just wish it comes significantly earlier in the movie. This leads up to a genuinely fascinating conclusion that thematically really worked for me. It introduces interesting new directions and ideas, and I definitely have some interest in watching the next movie. The problem, again, is that this movie itself doesn't always capture that same potential. Often times, it feels like it wants to build the pathos from the prior trilogy without ever earning it, with the swelling music trying to emulate a character arc. However, I do have to admit that this franchise still has some tricks left up its sleeves, and it refuses to follow the standard template for these types of movies in Hollywood, so even though my rating for this particular movie is a little bit lower, I still have a lot of respect for it.

FULL SPOILER-FREE REVIEW @ https://fandomwire.com/kingdom-of-the-planet-of-the-apes-review/

"Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is an intriguing addition to the franchise, full of fascinating parallels and a thought-provoking exploration of Caesar’s legacy, despite some lack of depth linked to the motivations of some characters.

The exploration of important themes such as religion, war, and distinct perspectives on biblical figures leads to the most immersive moments of a film that takes time to find its rhythm. With a clear vision from Wes Ball and fantastic performances, the impressive motion-capture work contributes tremendously to a visually mesmerizing experience.

For fans of the saga, it’s a continuation worth following with interest, promising more moral reflections on the evolution of nature and the inevitable cycle of life."

Rating: B