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

Chris Hemsworth says Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga role ‘ignited something’ in him

Hemsworth plays tyrannical warlord Dementus

Published

May 18, 2024

Levi Verora Jr

One of the anticipated aspects of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga is Chris Hemsworth playing the tyrannical warlord Dementus. You’ve seen him rock the long hair and beard combo before from numerous god of thunder movies. But this time, he’s with the bad side (sort of) in the latest entry to the Mad Max universe.

How did one of the world’s most handsome men end up with a complex antagonist role? Hemsworth said Dementus’ character backstory “ignited something in me that I hadn’t felt for a long, long time.”

“He understood the character straight away,” director George Miller said of Hemsworth as he read the screenplay for the film. “Once I met Chris, saw his response and understood what he was thinking … I thought, ‘Okay, he’s the one who should take on Dementus.”

As aptly noted by film producer Doug Mitchell, Hemsworth and Miller even had an initial conversation about how villains should also possess charisma and a likeable aura. It was from there where Mitchell and Miller felt Hemsworth would be perfect for the role.

Hemsworth’s real-life adventurousness also proved to be useful. As someone who has a penchant for riding motorbikes, surfing, and doing his own stunts. He was able to embrace the role beautifully, describing Dementus as a “complicated individual” who is a product of the Wasteland.

“He’s been manipulated and sculpted through his experience, and I think that experience was one of immense tragedy, fear, pain and loss,” the Thor and Avengers film series protagonist said.

That likeability eventually comes into play when Hemsworth’s Dementus has his humanity awakened while with Anya Taylor-Joy’s Furiosa. The two characters will take viewers for a ride in a story set years before Mad Max: Fury Road.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga will show in Philippine theaters starting May 22, 2024.

Apps

Apple Music launches 100 Best Albums list

A celebration of the greatest records ever made

Published

May 16, 2024

GadgetMatch

In celebration of the greatest records ever made, Apple Music has announced the launch of the inaugural 100 Best Albums list. From May 14 until May 22, 2024, Apple Music will reveal 10 albums per day which have made it to the distinct list. The 10-day countdown has already kicked off with the top 100 to 91 albums, featuring works from Solange, Tyler, The Creator, George Michael, and more.

Apple Music’s team of experts, as well as a select group of artists, joined forces in crafting the Best 100 Albums list. Prominent names who participated in coming up with the top 100 music albums of all-time include Maren Morris, Pharrell Williams, J Balvin, Charli XCX, Mark Hoppus, Honey Dijon, and Nia Archives. Moreover, songwriters, producers, and industry professionals were also tapped. The list is an editorial statement, which means it is not dependent on the album’s streaming numbers on the platform.

100 Best

A brand-new 100 Best microsite has also been launched, along with new and exclusive content. Listeners may also stream dedicated Apple Music Radio episodes and a lot more. The countdown will culminate on the final day with a broadcast radio special to reveal Apple Music’s top 10 albums of all time. On that day, there will be a roundtable discussion broadcasting globally. It will feature Nile Rodgers and Maggie Rogers reflecting on the list, alongside Apple Music’s own Zane Lowe and Ebro Darden.

Best of all, being named to the 100 Best Albums list isn’t just a virtual citation. Apple Music will hand out awards to all 100 Best Albums recipients. The award is comprised of blasted anodized aluminum, sourced entirely from recycled Apple products, in a unique polished PVD gold. The back, meanwhile, takes its cues from a vinyl LP record. The artist’s name, album title, and the album’s year of release are all inscribed.

The first 10 albums revealed are as follows:

100. Body Talk, Robyn
99. Hotel California, Eagles
98. ASTROWORLD, Travis Scott
97. Rage Against the Machine, Rage Against the Machine
96. Pure Heroine, Lorde
95. Confessions, USHER
94. Untrue, Burial
93. A Seat at the Table, Solange
92. Flower Boy, Tyler, The Creator
91. Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1, George Michael

To keep up with the countdown, listeners may visit the dedicated microsite here: 100best.music.apple.com.

Entertainment

Prime Video unveils Batman: Caped Crusader 1st-look images

Premiering on August 1

Published

May 14, 2024

Levi Verora Jr

Prime Video has unveiled the first-look images for upcoming animated series Batman: Caped Crusader. In addition, the streaming service also announced August 1, 2024 as the premiere date for all 10 episodes of the upcoming series.

The first-look images give audiences a special peek into the world of Gotham City, and some of the franchise’s iconic characters.

Included are Bruce Wayne/Batman, Selina Kyle/Catwoman, Dr. Harleen Quinzel/Harley Quinn, and Commissioner Jim Gordon, and Clayface.

The latest Batman animated series is co-produced by Bruce Timm, J.J. Abrams, and Matt Reeves. It is the latest in a long line of animated adaptations of the famed superhero, in which the 1992 Batman: The Animated Series still remains the most prominent for many.

The stills include both Batman and Catwoman in action.

They’re also seen in their alter ego equivalents, Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle, clad in formal wear.

Moreover, Dr. Harleen Quinzel can also be seen while at work. That’s before she turns into Harley Quinn, complete with the jester getup.

Batman: Caped Crusader will stream exclusively on Prime Video starting August 1. It will be available in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide.