Front page of current issueContents of current issue
What's in Festivale, including cover stories, the tour, indices, and what's new
what's new, Festivale's revision history Go to the online shopping mall where all the on-line stores areThe Bookroom: News, reviews, linksReel Life: The movie section with film commentary, coming attractions and release dates, links pages and more.Buy movie posters online; 40x82Technology BytesFestivale's guide to Melbourne and Victoria, photos, maps, linksFestivale's guide to Melbourne and Victoria, photos, maps, links

A Reel Life film section

Issue: Winter 2014

Dawn of Planet of the Apes (2014) movie review

The Behaviour of Animals

Human experimentation has unleashed a 'simian flu' that has virtually wiped out human civilization. At the same time the unleashed apes have developed and now live in their own primitive settlements where they communicate with sign language and limited verbal language. Between the two cultures is much hard feeling and distrust.

When a human settlement needs to go through an ape settlement to restart a hydro-electric plant, the two cultures must find a way to put their distrust aside and find a peaceful co-existence.

Excellent costumes. It has to be said.

movie poster, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Festivale film review; 220x328

Movie poster, Dawn of Planet of the Apes
One last chance for peace.

This is an excellent film. It gives the actors as human and as ape a chance to explore their natures. Dawn of Planet of the Apes asks the question, "Who is the animal?" Is it the ape who has recently risen out of the jungles, the zoos, and the laboratories, or is it the humans who can't let go of their prejudices and their guns?

In teaching the apes, have the humans taught language and culture, or anger and violence?

Quite violent in places, but well worth a watch.

Add your comments

by Ali Kayn
Australian release 10 July 2014
For credits and official site details, see below
Search Festivale for more work by the film-makers below.
See also:

Just the facts:

Title: Dawn of Planet of the Apes (2014)
Written by: Mark Bomback and Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver (scr)
Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver (characters)
Pierre Boulle (novel "La Planéte des Singes")
Directed by: Matt Reeves
Running time: 130 mins
Rating:

The Players: Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Keri Russell

Official website: www.dawnofapes.com
IMDb entry

For session times of current films, use the cinema listings on the Movie links page. For scheduled release dates, see the coming attractions section.

For more information about this movie, check out the internet movie database.
For the latest additions to Festivale, check out the change history section.


For posts about Melbourne events, places, news, reviews, giveaways, see our Facebook Page:



Coming attractions, Movies by month, Australian movie release datesIndex of movie reviewscontents of current FestivaleA Reel Life movie section