With stunning visuals by Weta FX, the emotional expressions and fur of the apes are brought to life with remarkable realism. The epic adventure, reminiscent of an open-world game, delves deeply into themes of “domination,” “freedom,” and “coexistence” alongside Noah’s growth.

The iconic science fiction film “Planet of the Apes” was rebooted between 2011 and 2017, and its sequel, “Planet of the Apes: Kingdom,” was released in 2024. The reboot tells a grand story set in a different timeline from the previous films, featuring new characters. Caesar, the protagonist of that timeline, dies at the end of the reboot series, having fulfilled his role. The new world depicted after Caesar’s death is one where the roles of humans and apes have completely reversed, establishing a new order.

Featuring complex portrayals of humans and apes, as well as numerous plot threads that hint at future developments, this is a work that truly feels like the beginning of a new series!

The history of the Planet of the Apes series and the world depicted in Kingdom

The story of “Planet of the Apes” is based on the novel of the same name written by French author Pierre Boulle in the 1960s. The most famous adaptation is the original trilogy released from 1968 onwards. Although the series has a long history spanning from the 1960s to 2024, the latest installment, “Kingdom,” is set approximately 300 years after the events of the reboot trilogy.

Planet of the Apes – Apple TV

Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall star in this legendary science fiction masterpiece. Astronaut Taylor (Heston) crash lands on a distant planet ruled…

In the Reboot trilogy, a mutant strain of monkey influenza caused intelligence to deteriorate, and the ability to speak was beginning to be lost. Since the flu spread worldwide at the end of the first Reboot film, human civilization was on the brink of collapse. It was well on its way to extinction. Meanwhile, the apes, under Caesar’s leadership, had established a society as an intelligent species, seeking coexistence with humanity while continuing to fight for survival and freedom. At this point, humanity still maintained a semblance of civilization. It retained aspects of a “dominant species” capable of matching or even surpassing Caesar’s apes in power.

In the final chapter of “The Holy War Chronicles,” Caesar’s ideology is passed down to the apes, and 300 years later, in the world of “Kingdom,” the situation has undergone a complete transformation.

Humanity has completely lost its civilization, and intelligence has further deteriorated to the point where they can no longer speak. They are depicted as wild beings closer to animals. The monkeys refer to them as “Echoes,” and they are unable to use tools or speak, resembling “wild animals.” Only a minimal number of humans (including Mei) can speak and retain only a faint trace of past knowledge and civilization.

In contrast, the apes reign supreme as the new “dominant species” of this world. They have established their tribal societies across the land, developing their own cultures, laws, and beliefs. They utilize the ruins of human structures as their living spaces. While Caesar’s teachings are passed down as legend, their interpretations vary widely among the tribes. Humans are no longer a threat to the apes; instead, they have become prey or subjects to be subjugated.

The world of ‘Planet of the Apes/Kingdom,’ set 300 years later, is a stark contrast to this reboot series. The world where the roles of humans and apes have completely reversed gives a similar impression to the original series, where the protagonist first stepped off the spaceship.

For those who have followed the series for a long time, there will be a sense of surprise at how everything connects here.

The beginning of a new Planet of the Apes saga

First, the opening scene of Caesar’s burial holds special significance for fans of the previous series. It serves as a gripping introduction to the new series. Three hundred years have passed, and the apes have evolved culturally and intellectually, with rules that respect nature, tribal names, and trials that lead to adulthood.

The story also has a coming-of-age aspect, as the young ape Noah learns about the vastness and complexity of the world through his journey and seeks to define his sense of “rightness.” Through his perspective, themes such as “domination,” “freedom,” and “coexistence” emerge. An interesting point here is that the protagonist’s name is the same as Noah from the Old Testament, who built the ark, preserved the seeds, and guided humanity.

A story woven by new characters

What was particularly impressive about this film was the depth of the characterization of the apes and humans.

Starting with the protagonist Noah, the expressions, facial patterns, and shapes of the apes that appear in the film, such as the orangutan Raka, the female chimpanzee Aya, and Noah’s companion Suna, are richly depicted. The actors learned their movements at “Ape School,” and the individuality and emotional richness of the apes left a powerful impression on me.

The antagonist, Proxima Caesar, is portrayed as a complex character who acts not out of brute force but with intellectual curiosity, considering the future of the apes and the dominance of the entire Planet. Proxima has his own beliefs about not dominating humans, and his manipulation of Caesar’s teachings to control the apes is pointed out as resembling the path humanity has walked in the past. Such characterization makes him not a simple villain but a villain with knowledge.

On the other hand, the depiction of humans is also highly intriguing. Humans are portrayed as overwhelmingly weak, surviving in hiding, and sometimes resorting to violence, which is shockingly depicted. Notably, it is revealed that the girl previously referred to as “Nova” in the series has the name May. Humans are portrayed as cowardly beings unable to trust others, with their vulnerable aspects emphasized more than in previous works. The emotional moments in the final scene, where May is shown hiding a gun and Noah gives May the Caesar mark he received from Raca, hint at future developments.

It’s like an open-world game! Evolving visual beauty and the power of Weta FX

“Planet of the Apes: Kingdom” differs from previous installments in that it tells the story of a new protagonist, Noah. Noah is a young man from a particular village. While he is portrayed as a legendary figure akin to Caesar, the protagonist of the trilogy remains unaware of human existence and lives solely within the free world of apes.

The world where the apes live is set in a forest-covered ruin resembling a collapsed human civilization, giving it a feel akin to playing an open-world game. In particular, scenes such as climbing a decaying building or confronting and defeating enemies evoke the worldview of recent game titles like “The Last of Us.” Despite its 140-minute runtime, the film offers an immersive experience akin to entering a game world.

ArtStation – Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024)

Hihihiiiii, I’m super excited to share some environments and the assets works I’ve done for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes at Wētā FX !!

The epic worldview and realistic character expressions are supported by the outstanding technology of Weta FX (formerly WETA Digital), led by director Peter Jackson. They are world leaders in character motion capture, and their actual value is on full display in this film. The extended CG scenes, with their intricate details of the apes’ fur underwater and emotionally rich expressions, all utilize the systems developed by Weta FX for “Avatar: The Way of Water.” The visuals were so natural and breathtaking that one could almost forget they were actors performing.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes | Wētā FX

Visit the official Wētā FX website for details on their innovative work.

It was difficult to tell the difference between Anaya and Suna, who are Noah’s friends. While it is clear that Noah is a chimpanzee and Raka is an orangutan, the scene at the beginning of the film involving Noah’s tribe left me honestly unsure of who was who. The difference between the father and mother, as well as their age difference, can be discerned, which demonstrates the high level of technical skill at Weta FX. However, when characters of similar ages, such as Anaya and Suna, appear together, it is difficult to tell them apart.

It is likely due to the similarity in facial structure and body color. Human characters, including Mei, exhibit diverse features such as hairstyles and clothing, whereas chimpanzees, including Noah, have fur that is predominantly dark brown or black, with only minimal differences in clothing. As a result, it was difficult to tell who was who, especially in dimly lit scenes. Additionally, the performances of the apes, depicted through motion capture, are highly detailed and express subtle nuances. However, unlike in animation or manga, emotions are not exaggerated, and the emotional expressions may be more closely aligned with those of humans. Still, it is difficult to “read” their emotions at first glance.

It also applies to the live-action film “The Lion King (2019),” where the main characters and enemies are distinguishable through VFX. Still, it is harder to determine the friendships between different species.

The Lion King

The story continued the anime. The visual beauty of the images, which were full CG but looked like live-action, was terrific.
However, the realism made it challenging to distinguish between the same characters. I vaguely recognized Mufasa and Scar, young Simba, and young Nala. Still, I don’t recognize Sarabi and Nala when they talk side by side.

Summary: Expectations for the future of the saga

In “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” most of the apes can speak fluently and display human-like expressions, and the film is filled with elements of the passage of time, giving the impression that a new era has begun. It is interesting to note that the roles of apes and humans are completely reversed, and the apes’ reactions when May speaks are the same as those of the humans in the first film from 1968.

The philosophical question of whether human existence can be either a complete “enemy” or a “hope” highlights the series’ deep thematic depth. Additionally, the film leaves several mysteries unresolved. It introduces new plot threads and settings, such as humans who can speak, making it a film that leaves viewers eager for what comes next.