DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
An emotionally powerful moral drama best reserved for discerning adults.
Should You Watch It?
This is an excellent film with a very strong emotional ending. It rises above the simplistic idea that apes are good and humans are bad, showing instead that both apes and people can choose good or evil.
The movie thoughtfully explores compassion, family, courage, self-sacrifice, and the fallenness of morally responsible creatures. But strong foul language and many intense battle scenes make it unsuitable for children and young teens.
If you are a discerning adult who can handle those concerns, WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY.
The Story
NO SPOILERS — WE KEEP THE SURPRISESA virus has almost destroyed mankind. Ten years later, genetically enhanced apes live in the forest under the leadership of Caesar, while a few remaining humans live near San Francisco.
When a human party discovers the apes while searching for a hydroelectric dam, a violent confrontation threatens the fragile peace between the two groups. Malcolm and others must try to persuade Caesar to let them restart the dam and restore power to the city.
Is It Any Good?
Four stars means this film is excellent despite its flaws. Its very strong emotional ending pulls at the heartstrings and produces satisfying joy and catharsis.
The film improves as it develops. The beginning contains too much exposition, some dialogue is on the nose, and some events feel overly obvious. Still, the thoughtful moral exploration and powerful ending cover over many of those weaknesses.
The Worldview
The film presents a strong moral worldview: there are good people and good apes, bad people and bad apes, and everyone has the propensity for good or bad. It stresses compassion, dedication to family, loyalty, courage, and self-sacrifice. The idea that apes should not kill apes provides an important moral principle, while evil characters violate such principles and face consequences.
The film also includes some Christian, redemptive elements, including self-sacrifice and a Cross symbol. Its moral vision is set against intense evil, especially in Koba and, to a lesser degree, Dreyfus. The review notes a little evolutionary material, though less than in previous versions.
The film’s central longing is for peace between enemies, pursued through compassion and self-sacrifice. Scripture says, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God” (Matthew 5:9).
The Content Guide
The specifics — spoilers included by nature — so you can judge for your own family.
Content Summary
Very strong moral worldview stressing that there are good people and good apes and bad people and bad apes, with a general agreement that everyone has the propensity for good or bad, with very strong elements of compassion, dedication to family, moral virtues (especially apes should not kill apes), loyalty, with some Christian, redemptive elements such as self-sacrifice and a Cross symbol, all shown in contrast to the evil ones who violate the moral principles and get their comeuppance in one way or another, mitigated by a little bit of evolutionary hokum, but not as much as the previous versions, and it’s very refreshing to see good humans and apes relating; 12 obscenities, including the “f” word and several “AH” words, and one profaning Jesus Christ’s name, but the apes don’t use any foul language; lots of violence, some bloody, all the way from Caesar’s son being attacked by a bear during a deer hunt to apes shot, people shot, people and apes tossed around violently, bloody wounds, significant scars; ape characters Caesar and Cornelia hug and Cornelia gives birth to a baby; the apes are not clothed; alcohol use; no smoking or illegal drugs, but medical drugs are used; and, betrayal, rebellion, revenge, racism.
Talk About It
Questions for the drive home, the dinner table, or the youth group.
The film shows good and evil among both apes and humans. What choices reveal a person’s character?
Matthew 7:16–20 · Galatians 5:22–23Compassion and family are central moral virtues in the story. How can compassion shape the way your family responds to people who seem different or threatening?
Colossians 3:12 · Luke 6:36The film presents self-sacrifice as a redemptive virtue. What does Christian self-sacrifice look like in everyday life?
John 15:13 · Philippians 2:3–4The story explores the consequences of revenge and rebellion. How does Scripture call us to respond when we are wronged?
Romans 12:19–21 · Proverbs 15:1The Final Word
This is a morally thoughtful, emotionally powerful film with a terrific ending. Its strong language and intense battles are too much for children and young teens, but discerning adults may find its compassion, family loyalty, and self-sacrifice worth the journey. WORTH THE TRIP — ADULTS ONLY. For a different family movie night, see.
