If the world of movies is headed in an artificial intelligence direction, let Owen Teague be a leader.
In “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” he’s incredibly moving as Noa, a young chimpanzee who has encountered a lethal colony and its leader.
That leader – who calls himself Proximus Caesar – wants to tap into the goodwill that followed the late leader. This Caesar’s not at all in the same camp but that doesn’t faze followers willing to do his bidding.
They’re opposed to anything Noa holds dear. The rebel listens to those he does trust and works to right the wrongs.
Using motion-capture animation, director Wes Ball creates a “Planet of the Apes” film that’s more engrossing than its predecessors. Largely, that’s because Teague is such a phenomenal actor – he makes us believe Noa is real and his emotions are deeply felt. When he encounters a human female (Freya Allan), a bond forms and soon, there’s a plan to rescue both humans and apes. That attempt kicks the film into high gear and sets it up for a great sequel.
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Humans, you see, don’t rule the world. They’re second to apes who have a desire to get something held in a ship. We don’t discover what that is until necessary. But there are talks about everything from birds of prey to banned books.
William H. Macy checks in as a historian who rather likes his lot in life. He’s not eager to upset the status quo, yet he has the intel that could make everyone’s life better. More encouraging is an orangutan named Raka (Peter Macon) who gives the woman a name (Nova) and helps bring the two closer to their destination. Ball makes sure the plot points are carefully conveyed, then kicks the action into high gear. Because the actors playing the apes are actually running, you can hear the exhaustion in their voices. It’s a neat trick that make you feel like you’re right in the thick of it.
Looking a bit like “Avatar’s” Pandora, theworld they inhabit would make a dandy theme park addition, complete with bird show. When Noa and Nova share their life stories, you’re reminded of countless adventures set in unseen worlds.
Because the special effects are so good, Proximus (Kevin Durand) seems even more formidable than past “Apes” leaders. He isn’t one to be tested, even though Noa has an inner drive that conquers plenty.
When “Planet of the Apes” appeared in 1968, it tossed out plenty of ideas that reach fruition in this, the umpteenth sequel. There’s a better throughline, too, and character design that plays well. When the Eagle Clan’s secret weapons come into play, “Kingdom” pops to life and makes you eager to see the next installment.
Teague is key to this. Without his emotional investment the journey wouldn’t be worth taking. He makes us want to see the wrongs righted.
Movies in a minute with film critic Bruce Miller
Movies in a Minute: "Abigail"
Movies in a Minute: "Civil War"
Movies in a Minute: "Monkey Man"
Movies in a Minute: "Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire"
Movies in a Minute: "Late Night With the Devil"
Movies in a Minute: "Snack Shack"
Movies in a Minute: "Cabrini"
Movies in a Minute "Dune: Part Two"
Movies in a Minute: "Drive-Away Dolls"
Movies in a Minute "Bob Marley: One Love"
Movies in a Minute: "Lisa Frankenstein”
Movies in a Minute: “The Greatest Night in Pop”
Movies in a Minute: "Poor Things"
Movies in a Minute: Best Actress nominee Sandra Huller
Movies in a Minute: "Mean Girls"
Movies in a Minute: "Anyone But You"
Movies in a Minute: "The Color Purple"
Movies in a Minute: "The Iron Claw"
Movies in a Minute: "Wonka"
Movies in a Minute: "May December"
Movies in a Minute: "Wish"
Movies in a Minute: "Next Goal Wins"
Movies in a Minute: "The Marvels"
Movies in a Minute: "The Holdovers"
Movies in a Minute: "Five Nights at Freddy's"
Movies in a Minute "Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour"
Movies in a Minute: "Killers of the Flower Moon"
Movies in a Minute: "The Exorcist: Believer"
Movies in a Minute: "Fair Play"
Movies in a Minute: "Expend4bles"
Movies in a Minute: "A Haunting in Venice"
Movies in a Minute: "My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3"
Movies in a Minute: "The Equalizer 3"
Movies in a Minute: "Blue Beetle"
Movies in a Minute: "Gran Turismo"
Movies in a Minute: Mid-year wrap-up
Movies in a Minute: "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem"
Fans in Mumbai celebrate new Rajinikanth movie
Movies in a Minute: "Haunted Mansion"
Movies in a Minute: "Barbie"
Movies in a Minute: “Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part One”
Movies in a Minute: “Joy Ride”
Movies in a Minute: “Indiana Jones And The Dial Of Destiny”
Movies in a Minute: “No Hard Feelings”
Movies in a Minute: "Elemental"
Movies in a Minute: “Transformers: Rise of the Beasts”
Movies in a Minute: “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse”
Movies in a Minute: "The Little Mermaid"
Movies in a Minute: “Fast X”
Movies in a Minute: "Book Club: The Next Chapter"
Movies in a Minute: “Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 3”
Movies in a Minute: "Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret."
Movies in a Minute: "The Covenant"
Movies in a Minute: "Renfield"
Movies in a Minute: "Air"
Movies in a Minute: "Dungeons and Dragons"
Movies in a Minute: "John Wick Chapter 4"
Movies in a Minute: “Champions”
Movies in a Minute: “Creed III”
Movies in a Minute: “80 for Brady”
Movies in a Minute: "Challengers"
Movies in a Minute: "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes"
Movies in a Minute: "The Fall Guy"
Movies in a Minute: "The Blue Angels"
Movies in a Minute: "Summer Camp"
Movies in a Minute: "Jim Henson Idea Man”
Movies in a Minute "Bad Boys: Ride or Die"
Movies in a Minute: "Inside Out 2"
Movies in a Minute: "Thelma"
Movies in a Minute "A Quiet Place: Day One"
Movies in a Minute "Maxxxine"
Movies in a Minute "Despicable Me 4"
Movies in a Minute: "Deadpool & Wolverine"
Movies in a Minute: "Twisters"
Movies in a Minute: "Trap"
Movies in a Minute: "It Ends With Us"
Movies in a Minute "Alien: Romulus"
Bruce Miller is editor of the Sioux City Journal.
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