July 2024 Review

Praise be! Praise be! The movie reviewer finally reviews a movie! What a wonderful day! Anyway, this month’s entry is Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. In the review I discuss the concept of flanderization, what it means, and how its actually used for dramatic effect in the main story of Kingdom. Really, flanderization might not be the exact correct word, but it does an excellent job of simplifying the point I’m trying to get across. The film revolves around an antagonist who has corrupted the central characterization of the hero of the latest Apes trilogy. And this creative choice winds up working on a meta level, as well as the level of the story itself. Proximus manipulates the ideals of Caesar for his own ends, masquerading as his second coming, to prop himself up in the eyes of his fellow apes. Really, by making the villain be someone who twists and carves up the idols of the previous films sets the tone for any future installments in the Apes franchise. And by making the hero of the newest entry someone who acknowledges Caesar but is entirely separate, it sends the message that any future these films have will not be shackled down by living in the franchise’s past. Yes, you get nods and hints at events that came before (or, in some cases, are yet to come) but its not in a way that feels nonsensical within the world of the film and existing only for the viewer’s pleasure.

I compare this to some other franchise films that tackle legacy less gracefully. Hopefully you find these comparisons apt and agreeable. Comment if you do. If you don’t, comment anyway! I’ll take all the engagement I can get, really. Check it out here.