The Ape-tastic Evolution: How to Watch the Planet of the Apes Saga
Alright, movie buffs and ape aficionados, grab your popcorn and settle in because we’re diving into the monkey business of the iconic “Planet of the Apes” franchise! While flicks like “Star Wars” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe often monopolize the film chatter, let’s not forget that these intelligent primates have been swinging into theaters since 1968 with a captivating mix of sci-fi and social commentary.
It all kicked off with the original “Planet of the Apes,” showcasing a dystopian future where apes have taken the lead and humanity is in a tailspin. Fast forward over four decades, and the franchise experienced a spectacular resurgence starting with “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” in 2011. This reboot, starring James Franco, introduced us to our new favorite ape—Caesar, brought to life through the stunning motion capture performance of Andy Serkis—who not only delivers an origin story but also sets the stage for an epic battle of wits between humans and their cerebral cousins.
From there, we hopped on the hype train with “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” exploring a post-apocalyptic world ravaged by disease and the fragile coexistence of the two species. Critics raved about Toby Kebbell’s portrayal of the menacing Koba, a character that perfectly encapsulates the brewing tension and the fearsome potential of ape rebellion. Finally, the trilogy wraps up with “War for the Planet of the Apes,” where Serkis and director Matt Reeves deliver a show-stopping, emotional finale that fans continue to praise.
But wait, there’s more! With the upcoming “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” set to arrive in 2024, we’re not done with this monkey business just yet. The film promises to continue the saga 300 years after the last entry, introducing new characters while elegantly weaving in threads from our beloved previous installments.
So, if you want to binge-watch these sci-fi gems, you can catch the originals and the reboots on various streaming platforms: “Rise” is on Max, “Dawn” is chilling on Hulu, and “War” can be rented on Amazon Prime Video.
It’s about time you embraced your inner ape and delved into this rich narrative tapestry filled with philosophical dilemmas, eye-popping CGI, and some serious animal kingdom drama. Ready to swing?
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and Entertainment Weekly, Collider, Screen Rant
