Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is a bold leap forward for the simian saga, a 145-minute epic of legacy and rebellion. Directed by Wes Ball, it’s set generations after Caesar, with Noa (Owen Teague) leading a falconry clan until tyrant Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand) threatens all. Josh Friedman’s script builds a new world—ape cities, human ruins—while wrestling with memory and power.

Teague’s mo-cap Noa is soulful, his curiosity a beacon; Durand’s Proximus is a charismatic despot, his speeches chilling. Freya Allan’s human Nova adds hope, though Peter Macon’s Raka steals scenes with wisdom. Gyula Pados’ cinematography—verdant valleys, rusted dams—stuns, Weta’s VFX making apes feel alive. John Paesano’s score echoes Goldsmith, editing vast yet intimate. Action—bridge battles, flood climaxes—is grand, Ball’s Maze Runner flair scaling up.

The film questions progress versus greed, its 2024 release mirroring tech’s double edge. Some find Noa’s arc slow, but its ambition sings. A box-office win, Kingdom reboots the franchise with heart, proving apes still rule cinema’s soul.