Hatchet reporter Zoe Lipner shares her latest movie experience.

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011)

For those of you who haven’t seen it yet, make sure to catch “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” before it’s out of theaters.

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is a prequel to the “Planet of the Apes” franchise, and joins the ranks of multiple spinoffs and remakes of the 1968 classic. It gives viewers a fresh perspective on the story.

The film opens with Will Rodman (James Franco), a scientist working to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. After performing tests on chimpanzees in his lab, Will adopts one of the chimps he names Caesar and continues to study the gene’s effect on him. Will and his girlfriend Caroline (Freida Pinto) raise Caesar as their own until he is taken from them and placed into animal control after becoming dangerously violent.

The ensuing plot follows Caesar’s rise to power as the gene continues to transform his intellectual abilities. Caesar steals samples of the genetic material and works to raise an army of supernaturally intelligent apes in hopes of overthrowing humans as the dominant species on earth.

“Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is a raw depiction of the imagined fall of the human race. Though the plot is somewhat predictable and does not always connect to the franchise as a whole, the film employs impressive special effects that are sure to keep viewers’ attention.

Both fans and strangers to the “Planet of the Apes” franchise will find something to enjoy in this thrilling spin-off of the original film. It is sure to please the science fiction nerd in all audiences.

Genre: Action, Drama, Sci-Fi
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Cast: James Franco, Andy Serkis, Freida Pinto
Release Date: Aug. 5, 2011