When a new Planet of the Apes film was announced, my initial reaction was muted. The trilogy that commenced with Rise of the Planet of the Apes in 2011 presented a genuinely compelling narrative. Unlike many contemporary comic book adaptations, which often prioritize cameos and large-scale destruction, the Caesar trilogy offered substance, exploring themes of intelligence and providing insightful social commentary. Therefore, the announcement of Kingdom, particularly without the central character from the previous films, sparked limited interest. However, I have now had the opportunity to view the film on UHD.
Set many years after Caesar’s era, the film follows a young ape who embarks on a transformative journey. This quest compels him to question his understanding of the past and make pivotal choices that will shape the future of both apes and humans. While the premise is familiar, this simplicity allows for deeper exploration of character and world-building. Notably, humans have been absent for generations and are referred to as “echoes” by the apes. I was particularly interested in witnessing the world transformed by the absence of humanity and the implications of ape dominance. Unfortunately, this aspect is not fully realized.
Regarding the characters, Noa, the protagonist, does not attain the depth of Caesar. This is a key weakness of the film. The moral ambiguity that characterized the previous films is largely absent in Kingdom. Noa is presented as a straightforward hero, whereas Caesar was a complex figure, eliciting both admiration and, at times, concern. His nuanced character, defined by actions that defied simple categorization, made him consistently compelling.
The film suffers from the “uncanny valley” effect, a phenomenon the Caesar trilogy successfully avoided. Several factors contribute to this. First, the film’s visual aesthetic is significantly brighter, dominated by sunlight, contrasting with the darker, rain- and snow-filled environments of its predecessors. This increased brightness makes it more difficult to mask certain CGI imperfections. Second, set generations after the Caesar trilogy, the apes have evolved to exhibit more human-like traits. Their movements and facial features are more human, and sign language is largely replaced by fluent English. This results in an uncanny valley effect, where the apes appear neither fully ape nor fully human, and their flawless speech creates a sense of unease. The blending of familiar and foreign elements falls short, resulting in a distracting viewing experience.
Ultimately, my reservations about the film were confirmed. Without Caesar and the direction of Matt Reeves, expectations were tempered. Wes Ball has delivered a moderately entertaining, albeit unremarkable, adventure film suitable for younger audiences. However, for me, the Apes franchise represents more than just apes wielding firearms in trees.
Picture and Sound:
The UHD edition of Kingdom of the Apes includes both a 4K Ultra HD disc and a Full HD Blu-ray disc. The UHD picture exhibits a slightly sharper image compared to the Blu-ray version, although the difference is not substantial. My reference EH-TW770 projector rendered color tones with greater intensity in 4K, enhancing details in elements such as facial features and animal fur. The sharpness of the nature scenes is particularly striking – the opening shot, depicting an eagle soaring over a forest that transitions into a city, was visually stunning.
The UHD audio track features Dolby Atmos, while the Blu-ray version utilizes DTS 7.1. Regrettably, neither edition fully utilizes the subwoofer’s capabilities. During the climactic action sequence, a more pronounced bass presence and overall weight would have been beneficial.
SF Studios provided review copies for this assessment. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted independently, with a focus on providing unbiased information to our readers and consumers.
