The sequel of the prequel of the original sci-fi series (whew!) is directed by Matt Reeves and stars Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Keri Russell, and Gary Oldman. The film begins many years after Caesar, the chimpanzee whose abilities were heightened by an experimental drug, infects and frees other apes to form a powerful army. The ape colony now lives undisturbed in the mountains near San Francisco, a shadow of the city it once was after the so-called "Simian Flu" wipes out half of the planet's human population. Desperate to find an alternate power source to fuel the city, a group -- among them Malcolm (Clarke), Ellie (Russell), Alexander (Kodi Smit- McPhee), Foster (Jon Eyez), and Carver (Kirk Acevedo) -- venture into the woods to locate an abandoned dam that could be the solution they're searching for. Their interaction with the apes leads to a crossroads in the coexistence of the two species, and their bonds of trust will be tested as both fight to survive. Although it's been a while since I've seen Rise of the Planet of the Apes, I'd say that I enjoyed the films equally. I thought that the story of this film was very well-executed, as the plot was about as airtight as a sci-fi plot can be. I appreciated its simplicity; the writers did not attempt to construct an overly-complex narrative that would be nearly impossible to pull off in two hours. Instead, the tone and pace of the film were very solid. As in the first film, the CGI is remarkable. The lifelikeness of the apes is extraordinary, and professionals such as the terrific Andy Serkis continue to redefine the scope and range of an actor. In short, Dawn is an entertaining and worthy sequel, and sci-fi film in general.
Should you see it: Yes
Grade: B+
