In the late spring of 1968 on a warm Saturday afternoon, I walked up Staten Island’s Tysens Lane to the corner of Hylan Boulevard with a friend from elementary school.  Crossing Hylan we headed to the shopping center that was anchored by the Fox Plaza Theatre. In black plastic letters the theater’s marque announced the current feature; Planet of The Apes- Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall.

Once inside we got our popcorn, had our tickets torn in half and took our seats. We watched in awe as the special effects depicted an advanced civilization of simians. Roddy McDowall and Kim Hunter wore ape costumes, Charlton Heston wore a loincloth.  By the time we got to the bottom of the tub of popcorn Charlton Heston was pounding his fist on the beach yelling, “You maniacs…..!!!!”  We looked at each other with surprised expressions that only grammar school kids can muster and we muttered typically juvenile foul words to describe our reaction to the film’s ending – as only kids who are about to become teenagers can.

Nearly 50 years later and I’m back watching Apes movies.  I’m miles away from Hylan Boulevard, my ticket’s on my phone and I pay 6 dollars for the smallest bag of popcorn possible which I finish before the end of the title sequence – do I have to remind you how long the previews are these days? Yes a lot has changed but not the feeling you get when you see a good movie and War for the Planet of the Apes is a really good movie.

There’s a number of reasons why: It is shot in spectacular fashion reminiscent of past day epics the likes of which compare to The Bridge on The River Kwai, Lawrence of Arabia and The Ten Commandments. The use of performance capture technology is stunning, you’ll be hard pressed to think that Andy Serkis is anything less than Caesar in the flesh.  The film is extremely well scored; soaringly beautiful and hauntingly ominous at all the right times. And finally, while the film’s action sequences rival those of other blockbusters, ‘War’ incorporates an element of humanity rarely seen in films of this genre.

There are outstanding performances from just about every member of the cast. Fans of Andy Serkis will know him from Lord of the Rings as the memorable Gollum.  Widely regarded as the preeminent performance capture artist in the business Serkis’ expression and tonality are superb. Alone, it’s enough to narrate the plight of the apes who are banished to Muir Woods and merely seek a better life.  Serkis as Caesar leads a small group of apes as they search Northern California for the evil Colonel who commands the last of the remaining human soldiers attempting to wipe out the apes.

Steve Zahn who Rotten Tomatoes says “has made an art form out of portraying dysfunctional losers and likeable freaks” is Bad Ape – so named because he was raised in captivity and constantly reminded that he was ‘bad’.  He brings a much needed levity to an otherwise deep and at times profound story.

Karin Konoval, Terry Notary and Toby Kebbell round out the cast of apes that join Caesar on the quest and each brings an important dimension to the film.  Konoval is particularly memorable as the kind hearted Maurice. There is not much spoken dialogue among the apes but what is there is priceless.

Woody Harrelson as the Brandoesque Colonel is over the top and a far cry from his days behind the bar at Cheers.  His performance is chilling and he is the catalyst for a relentless form of divisiveness that in a way exposes the underbelly of this film – the lack of humanity in humanity.  Harrelson is at his best when he is one on one with Serkis’ Caesar.  His attempt to articulate his misguided rationale for destroying the apes is perhaps the highlight of his performance.

What makes War for The Planet of The Apes such a good film is that it can be enjoyed on so many different levels. Yes, it’s visually magnificencent, well acted and provides seat of pants excitement.  Yet beyond that it’s also a profoundly told cautionary tale.  For as the Moses-like Caesar strives, amidst the chaos of a divided world, to lead his people to a better life you might just agree that the central message of this story is something for all humanity to heed – the eternal value of mercy.  And that my friends is as relevant today as it was in 1968.