Rise of the Planet of the Apes brings respectability to its campy premise through a sympathetic ape character. His earned arc culminates in a bittersweet ending. There are themes of identity, playing god, and caste. The internal conflicts produce consistent tension. It has setup/payoff, loss, and storytelling through actions. However, the human protagonist is bland with an irrelevant romance, yielding clunky exposition, contrived science, and cliches. This contrast is reflected in the acting (Franco seems disengaged and Serkis is highly expressive). Plus, the plot feels incomplete. Nevertheless, Rise of the Planet of the Apes executes a successful central journey.
Despite clashing somber and cheesy tones, Rise of the Planet of the Apes' direction is generally purposeful. The imagery employs useful motion, framing, and focus. Its editing maintains engagement through match cuts, pacing, and structure. The sound offers action and emotionally motivated distortions. Its music is generic but appropriate, with plot-relevant diegetics. Similarly, the production design isn't particularly unique but constructs memorable characters. Its cast is hit (Serkis) and miss (Franco). The CGI can be overused and uncanny, but is clearly detailed, surprisingly convincing, and primary to the experience. Ultimately, Rise of the Planet of the Apes is solid.
Writing: 7/10
Direction: 7/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Acting: 8/10
Editing: 8/10
Sound: 8/10
Score/Soundtrack: 7/10
Production Design: 7/10
Casting: 8/10
Effects: 9/10
Overall Score: 7.6/10
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