'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' Successfully Reboots Franchise

There was a lot of skepticism around Rupert Wyatt's "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." Was it a reboot or a remake? Were the CGI apes going to work or look fake? Did the franchise need to have a second attempt made to relaunch it? I think the critics and moviegoers have voiced their opinions loud and clear.

First off, let me get my two cents worth in. "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is what the producers of the "Planet of the Apes" movies have been trying to accomplish and say since the original came out in 1968. It is the outcome of 48 years of work finally being fully realized. I would also dare to say it is a pivotal point for CGI effects. Maybe even more so than "Avatar." The film is absolutely superb.

Top critics loved "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." USA Today's Claudia Puigg reported, "With its skillful blend of live action and motion-capture technology, it's a handsomely made prequel to familiar monkey business." Michael Phillips of Chicago Tribune wrote, "Swift and nimble, like the rising ape at its center, "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is gratifyingly free of the usual big-budget blockbuster weight and volume." TIME Magazine's Richard Carliss stated, "As both a simian simile and a wonder of technology, 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' deserves to be in the company of the great original Kong."

There were a few "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" haters out there. Jeannette Catsoulis of NPR said it was "a creature feature of disappointing stupidity, 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' replaces the sociopolitical underpinnings of the original film and its sequels with a limp warning about the evils of animal testing. Washington Post's Michael O'Sullivan declared, "The filmmakers seem to have spent so much attention and, presumably, money on getting the primates right that they completely forgot about the people."

Most audience members embraced "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." Kalel J. called it "Expression and emotion in pixels -- what is most impressive about this next step in emotional conveyance is an emotion that 'Rise of the Apes' delivers strongly - empathy. In a war between humans and apes, it is the apes that we are rooting for." J.B. Matthews stated, "This by far was the BEST summer movie this year!!! The story was greatly told and fluid. The action wasn't cartoony -- it fit with the story and the apes did what they should have and made the movie!!!! Hail Caesar." Ivan D. said, "By immediate standards, this is how you do a prequel. With a miniature Statue of Liberty and the Icarus spacecraft on the side. Fully aware of its source film and gratefully so."

A few moviegoers found "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" less than spectacular. Ciaran D. claimed it was a "poorly edited, preposterously written and incompetently filmed mess that insults the intelligence of both species. The human characters are as artificial as the lackluster CG apes." Lee B. complained it was "so full of familiar cliches and one-dimensional characters that I just couldn't get into it. Too much hype over too little substance ... the whole story is too contrived, obviously in order to force it to tie into the original film that we all know and love."

Family entertainment website Movieguide.org reported "'it may be the best, most exciting movie in the franchise since the original, but its morally uplifting elements are undercut by a light humanist worldview, some foul language and intense violent scenes with scary, realistic-looking creatures, so caution is advised."

"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" was directed by Rupert Wyatt. The film stars James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto, Brian Cox, and Tom Felton. It is Rated PG-13 for intense and frightening sequences of action and violence.The movie was released through 20^th Century Fox on August 5, 2011.

For more articles by Eric Shirey, check out:

Free 'Rise of the Planet of the Apes' Prequel Comic Released
Interview with "Planet Of the Apes" Comic Book Writer Daryl Gregory
'Rise' is Not Your Parents' 'Planet of the Apes'