Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is a standalone sequel that takes the very successful Planet of the Apes franchise in a new direction with a set of new characters.
Seven years after War for the Planet of the Apes (2017), in which the beloved ape leader Caesar succumbed to his injuries, Wes Ball, the man behind The Maze Runner, takes on the reins from Matt Reeves.
Set three centuries after Caesar’s death, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes revolves around young chimpanzee Noa (Owen Teague) and his human companion Mae (Freya Allan).
The story begins by following three close friends — Noa, Soona (Lydia Peckham) and Anaya (Travis Jeffery) — on a perilous adventure to procure eagle eggs. These chimpanzees belong to the Eagle Clan, led by Noa's father, Koro (Neil Sandilands). Their traditional rite of bonding involves nurturing an eagle egg and forging a lifelong connection.
However, when a mysterious human named Mae unintentionally shatters Noa’s egg while following him, Noa sets out to find a replacement. In the process, he inadvertently exposes his tranquil home to danger, becoming a target for the nefarious masked primates led by Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), a power-hungry bonobo.
Proximus’s men burn Noa’s village down, take the villagers hostage and kill his father. Driven by vengeance, Noa resolves to hunt down Proximus and rescue his clan. Along the way, he meets Raka (Peter Macon), who has also suffered at the hands of Proximus Caesar. Together, they join forces with Mae, who is being pursued by Proximus Caesar's clan. However, Mae's motives for joining them go beyond mere survival. As the plot unfolds, it becomes clear that Mae has skeletons in her closet.
Kingdom of The Planet of The Apes is a visual treat that combines spectacle and emotional depth. At 145 minutes, it is the lengthiest Planet of The Apes film but director Ball utilises every moment effectively. The pace initially seems leisurely, with a new batch of characters being introduced and with enough time for the viewer to become invested in them.
Owen Teague as Noa may not have the commanding presence and authority of Andy Serkis’s Caesar but by the time the film ends, Teague effectively depicts Noa’s transformation from an innocent follower to a formidable leader. Peter Macon as Raka and Kevin Durand as Proximus Caesar back Teague up as the other two main ape characters. While Macon makes Raka witty and hence instantly likeable, Durand makes Proximus intimidating and menacing with mere glances. Freya Allan fits the bill as the wild and unpredictable Mae.
The sluggish pace is offset by impressive visuals, thanks to cinematographer Gyula Pados, who has previously collaborated with Ball on the Maze Runner movies. Production designer Daniel T. Dorrance dazzles with his world-building — the abandoned skyscrapers and verdant landscapes, including the formidable stronghold of Proximus, all meticulously crafted with stunning attention to detail. John Paesano’s musical score also enhances key moments throughout the film.