Entertainment

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes gets intense

Keeps you engaged

Published

May 8, 2024

Rodneil Quiteles

I went into the premiere screening of

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes completely blind. Save for literally a couple of clips online and a few press releases, I knew nothing about the movie. And that includes the trilogy that preceded it.

Given that, I didn’t feel lost watching the latest installment of the franchise and enjoyed my time in the IMAX theater.

Many generations later

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is set many years after the passing of Caesar. He is the main protagonist of the original Planet of the Apes films as well as the reboot trilogy in the 2010s: Planet of the Apes, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, and War of the Planet of the Apes.

‘Kingdom’ sets up a new beginning for the franchise, this time, with Noa as the protagonist. Noa is part of an ape clan that nurtures Eagles, hence the name Eagle Clan. In the film, he goes on a journey that puts him in a path that’s in direct collision against Proximus Caesar – the new ape in charge of a much larger, more brutal clan.

Their paths cross due to Mae – a human on the run from the forces commanded by Proximus Caesar.

Engaging hero’s journey

A big chunk of the film takes its time to acquaint us with Noa. A calculated move considering he likely will be who we will follow for the succeeding films. Unlike Caesar, Noa is far removed from the time when humans were the dominant species. Noa’s way of life with his clan is relatively simple, especially compared to the world we live in today.

But that is immediately shaken as his encounter with Mae early in the film inevitably leads to him being on the opposing side of the masked apes wielding taser-like spears working under Proximus Caesar.

Along his journey, he meets Raka. An elderly ape looking to preserve knowledge from the time of Caesar’s rule and even before that.

We get more than enough time with Noa, learning his sensibilities, skills, abilities, and his motivations. The film spends nearly half its run time just making sure we’re acquainted with him and it does so in a manner that’s engaging and entertaining.

All that time spent is paid off in a couple of sequences that truly shows Noa’s growth. Won’t say more, but I’m sure that when you see it, you’ll know.

Intense, edge of your seat sequences

The film has plenty of high octane moments that raise the tension as you’re watching. But even in the quieter moments there’s still some kind and level of tension that will, as the cliché goes, keep you on the edge of your seat.

The action heavy sequences are perfectly balanced between moments of tension of characters just quietly waiting for what another character will do before they make a move.

The one truly relaxed sequence comes after Noa first meets Raka. But after that, we’re introduced to successive moments of varying tension levels that hit a fever pitch at the film’s climax.

Curious narrative choices

(L-R): Noa (played by Owen Teague) and Raka (played by Peter Macon) in 20th Century Studios’ KINGDOM OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. Photo courtesy of 20th Century Studios. © 2023 20th Century Studios. All Rights Reserved.

Despite being set many generations after the passing of Caesar, the apes haven’t seem to have advanced much. This was the first thing that came to mind at the start of the film.

This comes to question even more as we learn more about Mae throughout the film. Her outfit along with the actions she takes early in the film clue us in on the true state of the world.

As we’re introduced to Promixus Caesar, we learn that this choice was deliberate. Proximus seeks the knowledge and technology from the time the humans were still in charge. But instead of discovering it for himself, his preferred method is brute forcing his way into an empty human stronghold.

Personally, I still believe the apes should have advanced more. Although, only a small portion of the earth was showcased in this film. There’s plenty of wiggle room for future films to explore what the apes have been up to in the rest of the world.

**Should you watch Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes?**

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes gets intense in the right moments and takes you on an engaging hero’s journey. The theme of interspecies co-existence, which I believe is a core tenet of the franchise, remains strong and comes into the forefront near the film’s climax.

Overall, it’s an enjoyable flick. But should you watch it? To answer that, I’m introducing my personal ‘Watch scale’:

Watch ASAP
Watch at your convenience
Wait for crowd/ hype to trickle down
Wait on streaming
Skip

For me, Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes sits squarely between the Watch at your convenience and Wait for crowd/hype to trickle down. It’s well-made and enjoyable, but unless you’re deep into the Planet of the Apes franchise, there’s no merit in fighting through crowds to go see it.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is now showing on Cinemas.

Related Topics:Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes Planet of the Apes

Entertainment

The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert finally arrives in Manila

The run goes from March 4 to 6 at Solaire.

Published

November 6, 2026

Luigi Leonardo

As far as films in concert go, The Lord of the Rings is the classic experience for fans. Since 2008, the concert experience has been touring the globe, enamoring fans of the series with live renditions of Howard Shore’s iconic soundtrack. Now, the experience is finally arriving in Manila. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run in the Philippines from March 4 through 6 next year.

There’s a reason why the iconic trilogy is the classic experience for films in concert. Besides being a legendary film franchise, the series features Howard Shore’s Academy Award-winning score. Fans will likely still recognize the dulcet strings of the Shire or the grandiose crescendo of the Fellowship.

From March 4 to 6, The Fellowship of the Ring in Concert will run at The Theatre in Solaire. Under the baton of Reuben Blundell, the concert will star the 96-member Filharmonika Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers’ 100-member adult choir and 50-member boys’ choir, and soloist Malena Rampi.

Film Community Philippines members can get exclusive pre-sale access from November 9 to 11. Meanwhile, public ticket sales will start on November 20 via TicketWorld.com.ph.

Entertainment

Dune and Dune: Part Two return to cinemas ahead of Dune: Part Three

Return to Arrakis.

Published

November 5, 2026

GadgetMatch

The journey to Arrakis isn’t over just yet. Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures are bringing back Dune and Dune: Part Two to select cinemas and IMAX in the Philippines for a limited one-week run starting November 11.

The re-release gives audiences a chance to revisit Denis Villeneuve’s award-winning sci-fi films before the highly anticipated conclusion to his Dune trilogy. Moviegoers will also get an exclusive sneak peek at Dune: Part Three.

The first film, Dune, follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a gifted young man destined for something greater than himself. When his family becomes entangled in a conflict over Arrakis and its valuable spice, Paul must confront his fears and discover his place in the universe.

In Dune: Part Two, Paul continues his journey alongside Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen. Seeking revenge against those responsible for his family’s downfall, he faces a difficult choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe.

Dune: Part Three arrives in December

The story continues in Dune: Part Three, which takes place nearly two decades after Paul Atreides seizes control of the Imperium. Now ruling as Emperor, Paul must deal with the consequences of his reign as old allies return, new threats emerge, and a conspiracy threatens everything he holds dear.

The film sees the return of Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Javier Bardem. They are joined by Charlotte Rampling, Isaach de Bankolé, and Robert Pattinson.

Directed by Denis Villeneuve, Dune: Part Three opens exclusively in cinemas and IMAX on December 16, 2026, with sneak previews on December 15.

Tickets for the upcoming film are now on sale. For showtimes and ticket information, visit dunepart3.com.ph.

Meanwhile, Dune and Dune: Part Two return to select cinemas and IMAX starting November 11 for one week only.

Watch the trailer:

Entertainment

1st teaser trailer, details for Death Stranding Isolations series unveiled

Animated series to debut on Hulu on Disney Plus

Published

October 31, 2026

GadgetMatch

A new teaser trailer for the upcoming Death Stranding Isolations series on Hulu on Disney+ has been revealed.

The upcoming animated series is set to debut in 2027. It is set in the world of Death Stranding immediately after the game’s protagonist Sam reconnects the continent of North America via the Chiral Network.

The series will tell a completely new story separate from that of the video games. The narrative will focus on a young man and woman as they set off on an adventure.

As America is reborn from the ashes, the renewed connections that bind it together bring about new and unforeseen consequences.

In this tumultuous new landscape, there are some who walk a different path to the one chosen by Sam and his Bridges comrades.

One is a wise old man who connects people through a method that defies all reckoning. There is also a female soldier ensnared in a cycle of war and destruction.

Moreover, there is a boy who seethes with rage at the absurdity of his life, and a girl who chose to sever all ties with the outside world. Fate has other plans for her, however, and chance encounters see her launched headfirst into a world she does not recognize.

Death Stranding Isolations is written by Tow Ubukata (Activator, Bone Ash, Project Darkness) and directed by Takayuki Sano (Jujutsu Kaisen 0 – The Movie, Attack on Titan The Final Season).

The series is animated by E&H production (NINJA KAMUI, BULLET/BULLET, the Magic Knight Rayearth Television series 2026) with original character design by Ilya Kuvshinov (Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, The Wonderland).

The series is executive produced by Hideo Kojima and produced by KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS.