Planet of the Apes Series: Storytelling

Recently, I went on a little film marathon watching all of the 2010's Planet of the Apes movies in succession. These films were really interesting and I would love to share my thoughts about them. Starting off, The Planet of the Apes series is a trilogy of science fiction movies that explores the idea of intelligent apes taking over the planet and becoming the dominant species. The movies in the series are Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011), Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), and War for the Planet of the Apes (2017). Now I will give a brief synopsis of each movie. Rise of the Planet of the Apes follows the story of Caesar, a chimpanzee who is born with increased intelligence due to a genetically engineered virus. Caesar is taken in by a scientist named Will Rodman and raised alongside humans, but when he is mistreated and taken away from his family, he leads a revolution of apes against humans finally giving apes their own freedom. Dawn of the Planet of the Apes takes place a decade after the events of the first movie, with the apes having established their own society in the woods. When a group of humans stumble upon their territory, tensions rise between the two species, leading to a war that will determine the fate of the planet, started by one of Caesar's right hand men. War for the Planet of the Apes: The movie takes place several years after the events of the second movie, with the apes now facing a new threat from a human military faction led by a ruthless colonel. Caesar, now the leader of the apes, must lead his people in a battle for survival against the humans, while also dealing with his own personal demons and the betrayals of his own kind. This movie ends with Caesar sacrificing his life to win the war against the humans. Throughout the series, the story explores themes of family, loyalty, survival, and the consequences of scientific experimentation. It also examines the concept of what it means to be human and the consequences of our actions on the world around us.

The Planet of the Apes trilogy utilizes a variety of storytelling techniques to create a compelling and emotionally resonant narrative. A few examples are character development, themes and motifs, and the suspense used. This series places a strong emphasis on character development, especially with Caesar, the main protagonist. Over the course of the three films, we see him grow from a naive and idealistic young chimp into a wise and compassionate leader who must grapple with the weight of responsibility and the consequences of his actions. The series also incorporates recurring themes and motifs throughout all three films, such as the idea of family and community, the dangers of playing God with science, and the struggle for survival in a world that is rapidly changing. These themes help to tie the films together thematically and give them a sense of continuity. The Planet of the Apes movies also feature intense action sequences and suspenseful set pieces, particularly in the second and third films. These scenes help to keep the audience engaged and invested in the story, while also heightening the stakes and creating a sense of tension and danger. Overall, the storytelling techniques used in the Planet of the Apes trilogy help to create a rich and immersive narrative that is both entertaining and thought-provoking.