Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes: A new chapter in the simian saga
The latest simian saga in the Planet of the Apes film franchise is set to ride onto Hulu next month. “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” directed by Wes Ball, will hit Hulu in the U.S. on August 2. This fourth chapter in the “Apes” reboot franchise from 20th Century Studios is set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign.
A new dawn for the apes
In “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” apes are living harmoniously as the dominant species, while humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape named Noa undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike. The cast of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” includes Owen Teague, Kevin Durand, Freya Allen, William H. Macy, and Peter Macon.
Watch the trailer for Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes
A critical and commercial success
Variety film critic Owen Gleiberman praised the film for connecting “with the spirit of ‘Planet of the Apes.’” Gleiberman wrote, “I was more than gratified to sink into its relatively old-fashioned dramatic restraint.” This sentiment seems to resonate with audiences as well, as Disney and 20th Century’s “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” garnered $170.7 million at the domestic box office with a total worldwide take of $396 million following its May 10 theatrical premiere. The movie had an estimated production budget of $160 million.
Revisiting the legacy
For those who want to revisit the entire saga, Hulu is currently streaming all nine prior films in the Planet of the Apes franchise: “Planet of the Apes” (1968), “Beneath the Planet of the Apes” (1970), “Escape from the Planet of the Apes” (1971), “Conquest of the Planet of the Apes” (1972), “Battle for the Planet of the Apes” (1973), “Planet of the Apes” (2001), “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” (2011), “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” (2014), and “War for the Planet of the Apes” (2017).
Watch the trailer for Planet of the Apes (1968)
Watch the trailer for Beneath the Planet of the Apes (1970)
Watch the trailer for Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971)
Watch the trailer for Conquest of the Planet of the Apes (1972)
Watch the trailer for Battle for the Planet of the Apes (1973)
Watch the trailer for Planet of the Apes (2001)
Watch the trailer for Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)
Watch the trailer for Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)
Watch the trailer for War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)
Reflecting on the journey
The Planet of the Apes franchise has always been more than just a series of action-packed films. It has been a mirror reflecting societal issues, human nature, and the consequences of our actions. The latest installment, “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes,” continues this tradition, offering a narrative that is both thought-provoking and entertaining.
As we prepare to dive into this new chapter, it’s worth reflecting on the journey so far. From the groundbreaking original in 1968 to the modern reboots, each film has added layers to the rich tapestry of this universe. The stories of struggle, survival, and the quest for identity resonate deeply, making the franchise a timeless piece of cinematic history.
What will the future hold for the apes and humans? Only time will tell. For now, we can immerse ourselves in the world of “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes” and ponder the possibilities.