In 2011, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” hit the big screen, starring James Franco, Frieda Pinto, and the remarkable Andy Serkis. The movie delves into the story of Will Rodman, a scientist who invents a virus to cure Alzheimer’s by rejuvenating brain cells. During his experiments, he discovers a baby chimpanzee left orphaned and decides to raise him at home, naming him Caesar. As Caesar grows, Will witnesses his remarkable intelligence. However, as Caesar becomes aware of his captivity and the cruelty of humans, he leads a revolution among the apes, fighting for their freedom.
The film’s gripping storyline and heartfelt moments struck a chord with audiences, making it a standout. “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” received acclaim for its engaging plot and skilled direction. One of its most lauded aspects was its groundbreaking visual effects, earning it the prestigious BAFTA award. The cast’s performances, especially Andy Serkis’s portrayal of Caesar through motion capture, were hugely celebrated. The film’s success spawned two sequels. Moreover, recently, the fourth installment – “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” – was released.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) Plot Summary & Movie Synopsis:
The movie kicks off with a serene scene of chimpanzees peacefully roaming the forest, only to be abruptly interrupted by heartless poachers who snatch one of them away. We’re then whisked into a lab where two scientists, Dr. Will Rodman and Robert Franklin, are conducting experiments on the kidnapped chimp. Miraculously, she demonstrates remarkable intelligence, solving complex puzzles with ease. Excited by their breakthrough, Will shares the news with his boss, Steven Jacobs, boasting that their ALZ112 virus is ready for human trials.
However, during a presentation to the board, the chimp, now dubbed Bright Eyes, unexpectedly becomes aggressive and attacks several people. In the chaos that ensues, she is shot, prompting Jacobs to order the termination of all test subjects. Will and Robert discover a newborn baby in Bright Eyes’ enclosure, leading them to realize the chimp was fiercely protecting her offspring. What follows next are the events that will change the course of their lives and the fate of humanity.
What happened to Bright Eye’s baby?
After taking in the baby chimp, naming him Caesar, and seeing the potential in developing the ALZ112 virus further for his father’s Alzheimer’s, three years fly by. Caesar grows into a highly advanced chimp, living as a beloved member of Will’s family. Will continues his experiments, hoping for a breakthrough. One day, returning home, Will finds his father acting violently towards his caregiver. Without hesitation, Will administers the ALZ112 to his father. The following day, he witnesses a miraculous transformation—his father is back to playing the piano, something that was deemed impossible due to his Alzheimer ‘s-ridden state.
Meanwhile, Caesar, seeking a taste of freedom, ventures into a neighbor’s garage, only to be met with aggression from Hunsiker. Injured, Caesar is rushed to Caroline, a veterinarian, for treatment. Concerned for Caesar’s well-being, Caroline suggests reintroducing him to his natural habitat. Will, along with Caroline, takes Caesar to the woods, where Caesar revels in his surroundings. As time flies by, Caesar matures into a full-grown ape. However, Will grows apprehensive, noticing that the virus might be overstimulating Caesar’s brain, leading to heightened emotions and intelligence.
Why was Caesar taken to a sanctuary?
During a conversation between Will and Caroline about Caesar’s advancing brain capabilities, Caesar accidentally overhears their discussion. The news disturbs him deeply. Later that day, when Will’s father, in a confused state, takes Hansiker’s car for a spin. Hansiker reacts angrily, leading to a violent confrontation. Caesar, witnessing this from the attic, can no longer contain his frustration and attacks Hansiker. Caesar’s violent actions result in him being forcibly relocated to a Sanctuary. There, he is met with hostility from the other chimpanzees. Back home, Will is desperate to secure Caesar’s release but faces numerous obstacles.
Meanwhile, Caesar, feeling betrayed and broken, decides to assert his dominance and take over as the alpha among the chimpanzees in the Sanctuary. On the same day, Caesar steals a knife and frees Buck, the only gorilla in their sanctuary. They become friends with the other chimpanzees there. Meanwhile, Will is trying a new version of a drug called ALZ 112 on chimpanzees because his father’s Alzheimer’s is back. This suggests the first version of ALZ 112 might not be working well on humans. One night, Caesar sees Will with Caroline and feels jealous. He sneaks into Will’s place, takes some ALZ 112, and releases it into the sanctuary.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) Movie Ending Explained:
What happened after Caesar and the other apes escape the sanctuary?
Under the influence of the ALZ112, Caesar and his fellow apes break free from captivity and launch a daring attack on the Gen Sys Lab. They want to liberate all the animals subjected to experiments. The apes wreak havoc, freeing the captive animals while causing chaos in the lab and injuring several doctors in the process. Their rebellion doesn’t stop there. The apes storm through the city, freeing captive apes from zoos and facilities along the way, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. As they make their way to the safety of the woods, they face the armed police waiting on the Golden Bridge.
A police helicopter opens fire on the apes. But Buck sacrifices himself by jumping onto a police chopper, causing it to crash and ultimately leading to his demise. The loss weighs heavily on Cesar’s heart, but he presses on. Will follows the apes to the woods and offers to care for Caesar. But Caesar, who has now firmly established himself as the leader of his species, declines. As the film nears its end, Caesar ascends to his favorite tree, symbolizing the beginning of a new chapter for his species.
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) Movie Theme Analysis:
“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” explores the moral dilemmas that arise from scientific research, focusing on genetic engineering and pharmaceutical innovation. It questions the morality of animal experimentation to bring attention to the sometimes heartless drive of scientific advancement. The film speaks for the freedom and rights of animals and denounces their abuse for human benefit. Social injustice and the imbalance of power between humans and apes are other topics tackled in the film.
Read More: 30 Underrated Sci-Fi Movies From Across The Globe
Trailer:
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) Movie Links: IMDb, Rotten Tomatoes, Wikipedia, Letterboxd
The Cast of Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) Movie: James Franco, Freida Pinto, John Lithgow, Brian Cox, Tom Felton, Andy Serkis
Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) Movie Genre: Sci-fi/Action, Runtime: 1h 45m
