Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Movie Review

Director: Wes Ball Cast: Lydia Peckham, Owen Teague, Kevin Durand, William H Macy, Eka Darville, Freya Allan

Set 300 years after the events of "War for the Planet of the Apes," the film is centered around a world where apes reign supreme, and humans are scarce, behaving more like primates themselves. The dominant power is held by Kevin Durand's Proximus Caesar, leading an army of rogue primates to dominate ape clans and hunt down humans and their technology. One such clan is led by Owen Teague's Noa, who embarks on a conventional coming-of-age journey, accompanied by his love interest, Lydia Peckham's Soona, and friend, Travis Jeffery's Anaya.

Noa's lack of awareness about his past drives the plot, leading him to encounter Raka, who serves mainly to recap the franchise's history. The film's first half feels underwhelming and uneventful due to this exposition-heavy narrative.

However, the second half sees a considerable improvement with the introduction of Durand's Proximus Caesar, who brings a twisted vision for the primates' future. Eka Darville's portrayal of Sylva, a loyal commander of Proximus' army, adds momentum to the story. The incorporation of Noa's Eagle Clan into his character arc adds a personal touch to his journey. While some characters, like William H Macy's Trevathan, add little to the screenplay, the film manages to entertain with its blend of characterization, drama, and spectacle.