Owen Teague stars as Noa, right, in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Photo: 20th Century Studios
Owen Teague stars as Noa, right, in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Photo: 20th Century Studios
Owen Teague stars as Noa, right, in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Photo: 20th Century Studios
Owen Teague stars as Noa, right, in Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes. Photo: 20th Century Studios

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes review: A worthy addition to the long-running series


William Mullally
  • English
  • Arabic

There’s big ideas underlying the Planet of the Apes films. There always has been. From the first film in 1968 until the most recent in 2017, the series has remained thematically rich in its exploration of humanity's flaws, touching on nuclear proliferation, slavery and subjugation, religious extremism, and more, depending on the instalment.

The most recent trilogy took us back to the origins of humanity’s downfall from a man-made virus and the rise of intelligent apes in our stead. Those films never seemed to question whether we deserved our fate because of our hubris – of course we did – but rather were concerned with whether our sins could be forgiven, and whether we were worth saving.

The overall story followed Caesar, an ape raised by humans who is the only one alive who saw firsthand the good in our species, becoming our only champion. He believes in co-existence, forgiveness and compassion, and when his story ends, his legacy is a hopeful one for both their species and ours.

In Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes, which picks up centuries later, the memories of the great leader Caesar are all but forgotten. The earth has reverted to forest and jungle, and apes are primarily living in tribe-based societies, living in harmony with the land and each other.

The story begins with Noa (Owen Teague), a young member of the Eagle Clan. We’re following him through his tribe’s coming-of-age ritual: The retrieval of an eagle’s egg from the highest nest, to raise as your own, if you live to tell the tale.

The opening section feels downright utopian, reminiscent of the long stretches in James Cameron’s Avatar films in which we spend time with the Na’vi as they interact with the broader world of Pandora. There’s purity to their existence, a deep respect for the life around them. This makes it all the more agonising when it’s all ripped away, and the apes we’ve spent time learning to care for start being murdered indiscriminately.

Noa survives the initial onslaught, and as he flees, meets an orangutan named Raka (Peter Macon). Raka is the last surviving ape to have been taught their origins, who remembers the teachings of Caesar and wishes to keep his dream of peace and co-existence alive.

The movie recalls the idyllic natural world found in James Cameron's Avatar films. Photo: 20th Century Studios
The movie recalls the idyllic natural world found in James Cameron's Avatar films. Photo: 20th Century Studios

Noa’s clan was not killed by humans, in case you were wondering. Instead, there is an ape leader who is calling himself Proximus Caesar (Kevin Durand), who is inspired not by the ape of hundreds of years ago, but the man of thousands.

He sees the ruins of our world, and wishes that for his own. If he can bend the ape world to his will through whatever means necessary, he believes, that will once again be possible. If they can enslave the remaining humans, and harness their dormant weapons of mass destruction, perhaps they can use them to fuel his terrible rise.

This is when the big ideas of Kingdom begin to crystalise, the film becomes a worthy entry into one of the most consistent ongoing series in film history. The question is no longer whether humanity deserves to continue. The question is, are the apes doomed to repeat our mistakes? Will the same hubris plague them? Or can they maintain their veritable Garden of Eden?

Kevin Durand plays Proximus Caesar, a rising leader who wishes to recreate humanity's development. Photo: 20th Century Studios
Kevin Durand plays Proximus Caesar, a rising leader who wishes to recreate humanity's development. Photo: 20th Century Studios

If the film is successful, those are ideas that we’ll continue to ponder in future installments, as it becomes clear quite quickly this is laying the groundwork for another trilogy. And based on the quality of this film, it deserves one. The characters are well drawn and compelling, performed with the same committed physicality and wealth of feeling that made Andy Serkis’s motion caption performance as Caesar so unforgettable, with CGI so well deployed, you never question the film’s constructed reality.

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But, funnily enough, as much as all of this remains a potent metaphor for humanity’s many issues today, including the climate crisis and ongoing conflicts, it’s the human characters here that are the least compelling. Their world feels clunky in comparison, and where the humans' story might lead is less intriguing as a result. Will humanity be able to rebuild the world it lost? Who cares? I'd rather give the apes a chance, at this point.

But this series has earned my trust, as has new-to-the-series director Wes Ball. I’m ready for whatever prefix the Planet of the Apes may add next.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is out in cinemas on Thursday

POSSIBLE ENGLAND EURO 2020 SQUAD

Goalkeepers: Jordan Pickford, Nick Pope, Dean Henderson.
Defenders: Trent Alexander-Arnold, Kieran Trippier, Joe Gomez, John Stones, Harry Maguire, Tyrone Mings, Ben Chilwell, Fabian Delph.
Midfielders: Declan Rice, Harry Winks, Jordan Henderson, Ross Barkley, Mason Mount, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.
Forwards: Harry Kane, Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Tammy Abraham, Callum Hudson-Odoi.

Jordan cabinet changes

In

  • Raed Mozafar Abu Al Saoud, Minister of Water and Irrigation
  • Dr Bassam Samir Al Talhouni, Minister of Justice
  • Majd Mohamed Shoueikeh, State Minister of Development of Foundation Performance
  • Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research
  • Falah Abdalla Al Ammoush, Minister of Public Works and Housing
  • Basma Moussa Ishakat, Minister of Social Development
  • Dr Ghazi Monawar Al Zein, Minister of Health
  • Ibrahim Sobhi Alshahahede, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of Environment
  • Dr Mohamed Suleiman Aburamman, Minister of Culture and Minister of Youth

Out

  • Dr Adel Issa Al Tawissi, Minister of High Education and Scientific Research
  • Hala Noaman “Basiso Lattouf”, Minister of Social Development
  • Dr Mahmud Yassin Al Sheyab, Minister of Health
  • Yahya Moussa Kasbi, Minister of Public Works and Housing
  • Nayef Hamidi Al Fayez, Minister of Environment
  • Majd Mohamed Shoueika, Minister of Public Sector Development
  • Khalid Moussa Al Huneifat, Minister of Agriculture
  • Dr Awad Abu Jarad Al Mushakiba, Minister of Justice
  • Mounir Moussa Ouwais, Minister of Water and Agriculture
  • Dr Azmi Mahmud Mohafaza, Minister of Education
  • Mokarram Mustafa Al Kaysi, Minister of Youth
  • Basma Mohamed Al Nousour, Minister of Culture
RACE CARD

6.30pm: Madjani Stakes Group 2 (PA) Dh97,500 (Dirt) 1,900m
7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,400m
7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,600m
8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m
8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile Listed (TB) Dh132,500 (D) 1,600m
9.25pm: Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (D) 1,900m
10pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (D) 1,400m

SERIE A FIXTURES

Saturday (UAE kick-off times)

Atalanta v Juventus (6pm)

AC Milan v Napoli (9pm)

Torino v Inter Milan (11.45pm)

Sunday

Bologna v Parma (3.30pm)

Sassuolo v Lazio (6pm)

Roma v Brescia (6pm)

Verona v Fiorentina (6pm)

Sampdoria v Udinese (9pm)

Lecce v Cagliari (11.45pm)

Monday

SPAL v Genoa (11.45pm)

Blackpink World Tour [Born Pink] In Cinemas

Starring: Rose, Jisoo, Jennie, Lisa

Directors: Min Geun, Oh Yoon-Dong

Rating: 3/5

War and the virus
MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Bayern Munich v Real Madrid

When: April 25, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Allianz Arena, Munich
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 1, Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid

ICC Women's T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier 2025, Thailand

UAE fixtures
May 9, v Malaysia
May 10, v Qatar
May 13, v Malaysia
May 15, v Qatar
May 18 and 19, semi-finals
May 20, final

Company%20profile
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The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

Racecard

6.35pm: American Business Council – Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Dirt) 1,600m 

7.10pm: British Business Group – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (D) 1,200m 

7.45pm: CCI France UAE – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,400m 

8.20pm: Czech Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh105,000 (D) 1,400m 

8.55pm: Netherlands Business Council – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m 

9.30pm: Indian Business and Professional Council – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,200m  

About Karol Nawrocki

• Supports military aid for Ukraine, unlike other eurosceptic leaders, but he will oppose its membership in western alliances.

• A nationalist, his campaign slogan was Poland First. "Let's help others, but let's take care of our own citizens first," he said on social media in April.

• Cultivates tough-guy image, posting videos of himself at shooting ranges and in boxing rings.

• Met Donald Trump at the White House and received his backing.

Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
  • 600-seat auditorium
  • Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
  • An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The five pillars of Islam

1. Fasting

2. Prayer

3. Hajj

4. Shahada

5. Zakat 

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
  • Flexible work arrangements
  • Pension support
  • Mental well-being assistance
  • Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
  • Financial well-being incentives 
Results

Ashraf Ghani 50.64 per cent

Abdullah Abdullah 39.52 per cent

Gulbuddin Hekmatyar 3.85 per cent

Rahmatullah Nabil 1.8 per cent

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20SAMSUNG%20GALAXY%20Z%20FOLD%204
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The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Part three: an affection for classic cars lives on

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The years Ramadan fell in May

1987

1954

1921

1888

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Banned items
Dubai Police has also issued a list of banned items at the ground on Sunday. These include:
  • Drones
  • Animals
  • Fireworks/ flares
  • Radios or power banks
  • Laser pointers
  • Glass
  • Selfie sticks/ umbrellas
  • Sharp objects
  • Political flags or banners
  • Bikes, skateboards or scooters
How Sputnik V works
Turning%20waste%20into%20fuel
%3Cp%3EAverage%20amount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20at%20DIC%20factory%20every%20month%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EApproximately%20106%2C000%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAmount%20of%20biofuel%20produced%20from%201%20litre%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%20%3Cstrong%3E920ml%20(92%25)%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ETime%20required%20for%20one%20full%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%20used%20cooking%20oil%20to%20biofuel%3A%20%3Cstrong%3EOne%20day%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EEnergy%20requirements%20for%20one%20cycle%20of%20production%20from%201%2C000%20litres%20of%20used%20cooking%20oil%3A%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3E%E2%96%AA%20Electricity%20-%201.1904%20units%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Water-%2031%20litres%3Cbr%3E%E2%96%AA%20Diesel%20%E2%80%93%2026.275%20litres%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Pots for the Asian Qualifiers

Pot 1: Iran, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, China
Pot 2: Iraq, Uzbekistan, Syria, Oman, Lebanon, Kyrgyz Republic, Vietnam, Jordan
Pot 3: Palestine, India, Bahrain, Thailand, Tajikistan, North Korea, Chinese Taipei, Philippines
Pot 4: Turkmenistan, Myanmar, Hong Kong, Yemen, Afghanistan, Maldives, Kuwait, Malaysia
Pot 5: Indonesia, Singapore, Nepal, Cambodia, Bangladesh, Mongolia, Guam, Macau/Sri Lanka

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

The National's picks

4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young

The burning issue

The internal combustion engine is facing a watershed moment – major manufacturer Volvo is to stop producing petroleum-powered vehicles by 2021 and countries in Europe, including the UK, have vowed to ban their sale before 2040. The National takes a look at the story of one of the most successful technologies of the last 100 years and how it has impacted life in the UAE.

Read part three: the age of the electric vehicle begins

Read part two: how climate change drove the race for an alternative 

Read part one: how cars came to the UAE

The specs

Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8

Power: 611bhp

Torque: 620Nm

Transmission: seven-speed automatic

Price: upon application

On sale: now

How to watch Ireland v Pakistan in UAE

When: The one-off Test starts on Friday, May 11
What time: Each day’s play is scheduled to start at 2pm UAE time.
TV: The match will be broadcast on OSN Sports Cricket HD. Subscribers to the channel can also stream the action live on OSN Play.

Indika
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KINGDOM%20OF%20THE%20PLANET%20OF%20THE%20APES
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Updated: May 08, 2024, 4:25 PM`