The later films in this trilogy, released from 2011 to 2017, are some of the finest in the series and definitely deserve a rewatch. The latest installment, "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," continues right where the trilogy concluded: with the passing of Caesar, the highly intelligent chimp who guided the apes away from the remnants of humanity towards a promised paradise. (This moment echoes the biblical tale of Moses leading the Israelites to the Promised Land, only to die before reaching it.) The apes pay tribute to Caesar's legacy and pledge to copyright his teachings, particularly the fundamental principle of "ape not kill ape." Caesar advocated for peace, loyalty, generosity, nonviolence, and stewardship of the earth; unlike humans, they aspire to coexist in harmony.
The teachings of peaceful prophets often get distorted by those who seek power, and it seems this issue extends beyond humanity. In "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," directed by Wes Ball and written by Josh Friedman, the story quickly jumps ahead by "many generations" (in this post-human era, the passage of years is less significant), and the expected has come to pass. The apes have splintered into various tribes, while Caesar has transitioned from a historical figure to a legendary one, revered by some and largely forgotten by others.
Noa (Owen Teague), a young chimpanzee, is unaware that Caesar ever existed. His father, Koro (Neil Sandilands), leads their clan and is passionate about breeding birds. This clan has established its own set of rules, primarily focused on the care of birds’ nests, which is all Noa and his friends, Anaya (Travis Jeffery) and Soona (Lydia Peckham), have ever known.
One day, disaster strikes when Proximus Caesar's soldiers, led by Kevin Durand, launch an attack on Noa's clan, which consists of coastal apes. Left alone, Noa embarks on a quest to find his clan members, who have been taken away. During his journey, he encounters a human (Freya Allen) who, like others of her kind, is unable to speak.
At this stage of the virus's evolution, the remaining humans have become mute and simple-minded, wandering in groups and fleeing from threats. To the apes, the idea of a talking human seems as absurd as that of a talking ape does to us. Noa also meets Raka (Peter Macon), who considers himself one of the last true adherents of Caesar’s peaceful philosophy, proudly wearing Caesar’s diamond-shaped emblem around his neck. Observant viewers may notice that this symbol resembles the shape of the window where Caesar was raised as a baby. Through Raka, Noa gains valuable insights, and when he finally discovers what he has been searching for, he realizes he has a significant mission ahead of him.
"Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" doesn't quite captivate like the earlier trilogy, possibly because the apes now resemble humans so closely that the intriguing contrast we once felt has diminished. When the apes engage in conversation, it becomes easier to view them as mere human substitutes, making it feel more like watching a film such as "The Lion King."
Nonetheless, there is still a lot to contemplate, particularly with the character Proximus Caesar, who adopts the legacy of Caesar to bolster his own leadership style. While the original Caesar was undeniably courageous and strong, Proximus Caesar has twisted these traits into a display of bravado and force, using aggression to maintain control over his followers. He isn't exactly cruel; rather, he exudes a persistent power and leans towards a fascist approach. Each morning, he addresses his subjects with declarations of a "wonderful day," asserting his position as Caesar's legitimate successor and urging everyone to unite in strengthening their civilization.
Visual elements suggest that Proximus Caesar’s realm draws inspiration from the Roman Empire, reflecting its colonizing ambitions and desire to amass the wealth of the ancient world its history, labor, and technology into its own treasury. By sharing his interpretation of Caesar’s legacy, Proximus Caesar convinces the apes that they are part of a grand, unstoppable historical movement.
However, history tends to repeat itself, whether in ancient Rome or Egypt, and within Proximus Caesar’s declarations, one can sense echoes of Ozymandias: "Behold his achievements, ye powerful, and despair!" While "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" takes place in the future, it resonates with the themes found in many science fiction works, such as "Dune," "Battlestar Galactica," and Walter Miller’s "A Canticle for Leibowitz," all of which convey the idea that these events have occurred before and will inevitably recur.
What ultimately gives "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes" its strength is its exploration of how idealistic beliefs can be twisted into rigid dogmas throughout history. Additionally, it highlights the significant risks associated with idealizing the past, suggesting that merely trying to reclaim, reshape, or revive history won't necessarily resolve our current issues. So-called golden ages were seldom as perfect as they are portrayed, yet history is filled with leaders who have attempted to convince people otherwise. This tactic often serves to manipulate the masses.
Towards the conclusion of "Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes," there are subtle hints about the potential future of the franchise, should it continue. However, the intriguing aspect of the series is that we already know the eventual outcome; it was clearly laid out in the original film, and the caution it offers remains grim.
In the opening of the 1968 film, Charlton Heston's character reflects, “I can’t help thinking somewhere in the universe there has to be something better than man.” One might assume that the superior beings in this story would be the apes. However, it seems we may need to search further.