Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

I finally watched this movie on DVD last night. From the Heston to Walberg to Franco, I have enjoyed the Planet of the Apes movies. (the only exception was the old sequel, 'Beneath the Planet of the Apes') I always look forward to hearing the classic line and in this most recent take on the Apes ruling the planet the line was delivered by Tom Felton (best known for playing Draco in all the Harry Potter Films). In this movie we find ourselves in San Francisco where Will (James Franco) is a medical drug researcher trying to find a cure for Alzheimer's to help his own father and the world. He ends up with a baby chimp, Caesar, in his care and finds the drug was past from his mom into the baby and his intelligence soars. Showing the drug is not only to cure bad cells but can enhance intelligence in healthy cells. It takes a lot of the movie to set up the Rising of the Apes, but this movie is more about the back story of another theory or idea given to how the world will eventually be taken over by super intelligent apes. There were parts where you can see small jabs by the Hollywood movie against animal cruelty and medical research. Its subtle but you have to wonder if it was on purpose to make you question things or was it just part of the story to get to the end. After the of the movie I was wondering what Charlton Heston would say about this one. Did you know he was in the Tim Burton version of The Planet of the Apes. (uncredited he played Zauis' father). That one is my favorite, I love Burton, so I guess I'm biased towards it. Back to the movie at hand, the end of the Rise only showed a mild start to the rise, I'm sure setting up a sequel. If I had to give stars I would give it 3.5 stars for simple entertainment. Those who enjoy any and/or all of the Planet of the Apes movies would possibly enjoy this one as well. It stands alone, but its also just another re-make or another take on a story that's already been done before. True originality in movies is rare, but with a classic story you can find many ways to tell it and not kill the original or the whole idea of the movies.

Journey 2: Mysterious Island

There came a point in my children when they decided that cartoon/animated movies were "uncool" and left us with finding family friendly movies that entertain and don't contain things that require explaining or editing for ears/eyes. So, when a movie or line of movies comes out that everyone in our family can enjoy we glad invest our time and money to see them. Journey 2 fits the bill. Like the first one in this series it all starts with the idea that the books by Jules Verne are real and based on real places and adventures someone took to these grand places. In this one we find our adventure in the Mysterious Island. This island is the final resting place of Captain Nemo and the Lost City of Atlantis. Dwayne Johnson, aka The Rock, plays the step-dad trying to form a relationship with Sean. Sean lost his dad in the Center of the Earth and in this one searched for his grandpa (played by Micheal Caine). There's lots of adventure, laughs, and family values in this movie. When you watch the regular non 3-D version it is very clearly what parts would have the 3-D effects. However, they aren't overly distracting from the general viewing and enjoyment of the movie. If you have kids who find some tension in an action sequence scary or hard to watch just know there are a couple parts I can see timid child not enjoying it. However overall the movie was clean, good fun, and great for the whole family. If your family enjoyed the first movie or movies like National Treasure, Percy Jackson, etc., then I'm sure you'll enjoy this one too.

P.S.
You may love the previews if you are a LOTR fan! Hobbit is coming and it looks like it's going to be a great adventure.