Starting with “Rise of” in 2011, the current iteration of the the “Planet of the Apes” franchise has been of a consistent quality that’s hard to compare to other blockbuster series. Perhaps it’s the meticulous nature of their motion capture craft that has restricted output over the years. Those behind the scenes, from the many artisans at FX house Weta, to the directors at the helm, the dedication to delivering engaging, thought provoking entertainment is apparent. After two great entries by Matt Reeves, Wes Ball (the underrated ‘Maze Runner’ series and soon to be ‘Zelda’ director) gives audiences the start of a new storyline with “Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes”.

The film kicks off with the solemn funeral of Caesar, the leader chimpanzee at the center of the initial trilogy, so wonderfully brought to life by the master Andy Serkis. It then quickly jumps many generations later (hundreds of years), introducing a clan of apes who link up with eagles in a synergistic hunting relationship. Three young apes including the new protagonist Noah (Owen Teague) are climbing high among the overgrown ruins of a city to capture eggs in order to individually bond with the soon to hatch eaglets. Noah is established as a gentle, inquisitive youth with daddy issues, who clearly displays leadership potential among his friends and family. When this peaceful group of fully vocal beings are attacked by a warlike group led by a menacing gorilla and his ravagers on horseback, the narrative kicks off.

Noah’s journey to join his enslaved clan will expose him to new friends and foes as he makes his way to the titular “kingdom” by the sea. Most notably are Raka, a monk like gibbon dedicated to keeping the teachings of Caesar alive, played with absolute aplomb and booming vocals by Peter Macon, Freya Allen’s Nova/Mae, a mysterious lone human in a world where people are reduced to primitive “echoes”, and Proximus Caesar, played with wild-eyes by Kevin Durand. His “king” has warped the stylings of both his namesakes to rule over and enslave other apes in an effort to reveal the secret weapons of humanity.

As the films in this series have progressed, and cgi rendering technology has only improved, their reliance on human characters have dwindled. This has resulted in a cinematic canvas that has become less recognizable, with structures of man completely overgrown as nature takes itself back and the apes live in harmony with it. The obvious analogies are all present here in ‘Kingdom’, continuing the trends of the rest of the franchise, a post-pandemic world, reclaimed from the ruinous tendencies of an intelligent species who have plundered it, now repopulated by another intelligent species. Unfortunately for the planet, just like the humans who came before, the apes have also formed factions, some respectful of their surroundings and others looking to exploit . . .

Directed By: Wes Ball

Written By: Josh Friedman

Rated: PG-13

Running Time: 145 min

* * * (out of 4 stars) -OR- B