Rise of the Planet of the Apes

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Rise of the Planet of the Apes

PG-13

Released Aug 5, 2011

1h 45m

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

82%

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269 Reviews

77%

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250,000+ Ratings

Will Rodman (James Franco), a scientist in San Francisco, is experimenting with a drug that he hopes will cure his father's (John Lithgow) Alzheimer's disease. After his work is deemed a failure, Will becomes the guardian of Caesar, an infant chimp who was exposed in-utero to Will's drug. Caesar displays unusual intelligence, and Will decides to continue his experiments secretly. But as Caesar's intellect and abilities grow, he comes to represent a threat to man's dominion over Earth.

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Critics Consensus

Led by Rupert Wyatt's stylish direction, some impressive special effects, and a mesmerizing performance by Andy Serkis, Rise of the Planet of the Apes breathes unlikely new life into a long-running franchise.

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Candice Frederick

Reel Talk Online

It's a surprisingly provocative film that really stretches the definition of summer blockbuster.

Rated: B+

Sep 8, 2017

Full Review

David Thomson

The New Republic

Caesar [the main ape] is the reason to see this daft, breathless picture.

Jun 24, 2013

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Sara Michelle Fetters

MovieFreak.com

Somewhat shockingly, the modern interpretation of mankind's downfall is actually pretty darn good.

Rated: 3/4

Jan 27, 2012

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Don Shanahan

Every Movie Has a Lesson

The story of Caesar is what draws you in to this prequel and it's Serkis that sells it entirely and masterfully.

Rated: 4/5

Jul 28, 2025

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Wesley Lovell

Cinema Sight

There’s a lot more to this film than can be described in a single paragraph, which is one of the reasons the film works so well.

Rated: 4/4

Jul 6, 2025

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Casey Chong

Casey's Movie Mania

Rise of the Planet of the Apes has everything a modern summer-movie blockbuster should be, blending smarts with spectacles.

Rated: 4/5

May 10, 2024

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Jace T

I was truly blown away at the retelling and restart of this entry to the Planet of the Apes Franchise. Andy Serkis deserves so much credit for the amount of depth and emotion he brings to the character of Caeser. Following Caeser's journey from childhood to freedom is sight to behold. While his father figure, Will Rodman played by James Franco, might be on of the most incompetent scientists out there, his incompetency is crucial for the development and Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

09/29/25

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andrea c

Nuovo primo capitolo della famosa saga che funziona praticamente sotto tutti gli aspetti, mostrando un prodotto a metà strada tra fantascienza ed azione, in cui un giovane James Franco (forse troppo per il ruolo lavorativo che ricopre) è il perfetto collante tra giusto e sbagliato, in cui il confronto interno tra volontà di fare bene contrapposto al non rispettare le regole pur di arrivare alla soluzione, mostrano un personaggio interessante che si abbina molto bene all'iconico "Cesare", ed al suo sviluppo. L'abilità del film è quella di mantenersi sempre in ottimo equilibrio tra tutti i possibili risvolti, di fatto impedendo allo spettatore di giungere in anticipo ad una conclusione che non è mai scontata proprio fino al suo accadimento. Una nota di merito ovviamente all'attenzione e alla qualità della CGI, non soltanto nelle sequenze con le scimmie (assolutamente perfette) ma anche in tutte le sequenze di azione nelle varie location. Film mai noioso ed in grado di aprirsi ad un vasto pubblico senza mai venire meno della sua qualità.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/24/25

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Daniel N

Mesmerizing special effects and a very worthy Planet of the Apes flick.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/19/25

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D K

From evolution to revolution, powerful compassion and brewing tumult within ape curiosity Caesar elevate this film well beyond its archetype. Shocking depth masterfully imbued into the title characters enthrals us before unleashing them upon audience and planet alike. A great mirror to the original Planet of the Apes.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/09/25

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Flynn S

Great story and a fun beginning of the franchise.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

09/04/25

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Omid S.

These are all absolutely amazing. Life-changing must watch with the family. I would watch every single one.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/15/25

Full Review

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Rupert Wyatt

Director

James Franco

Will Rodman

Freida Pinto

Caroline Aranha

John Lithgow

Charles Rodman

Brian Cox

John Landon

Tom Felton

Dodge Landon

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Synopsis

Will Rodman (James Franco), a scientist in San Francisco, is experimenting with a drug that he hopes will cure his father's (John Lithgow) Alzheimer's disease. After his work is deemed a failure, Will becomes the guardian of Caesar, an infant chimp who was exposed in-utero to Will's drug. Caesar displays unusual intelligence, and Will decides to continue his experiments secretly. But as Caesar's intellect and abilities grow, he comes to represent a threat to man's dominion over Earth.

Director: Rupert Wyatt
Producer: Peter Chernin, Dylan Clark, Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver
Screenwriter: Rick Jaffa, Amanda Silver
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: Chernin Entertainment
Rating: PG-13 (Violence|Intense/Frightening Sequences)
Genre: Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Aug 5, 2011, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Nov 10, 2013
Box Office (Gross USA): $176.7M
Runtime: 1h 45m
Sound Mix: Dolby, DTS

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