Prime Video has released the official trailer for the highly anticipated new animated series from Warner Bros. Animation, Bad Robot Productions, and 6th & Idaho, Batman: Caped Crusader. The series will be available to stream exclusively on Prime Video in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide beginning on Thursday, August 1.
The series stars the ensemble cast of Hamish Linklater, Jamie Chung, Diedrich Bader, Christina Ricci, Minnie Driver, Mckenna Grace, Eric Morgan Stuart, Michelle C. Bonilla, Krystal Joy Brown, John DiMaggio, Paul Scheer, Reid Scott, Tom Kenny, Jason Watkins, Gary Anthony Williams, Dan Donohue, David Krumholtz, Haley Joel Osment and Toby Stephens.
Welcome to Gotham City, where the corrupt outnumber the good, criminals run rampant and law-abiding citizens live in a constant state of fear. Forged in the fire of tragedy, wealthy socialite Bruce Wayne becomes something both more and less than human—the BATMAN. His one-man crusade attracts unexpected allies within the GCPD and City Hall, but his heroic actions spawn deadly, unforeseen ramifications.
The series is a reimagining of the Batman mythology through the visionary lens of executive producers J.J. Abrams, Matt Reeves and Bruce Timm. Based on DC characters, Batman: Caped Crusader hails from Warner Bros. Animation, Abrams’ Bad Robot Productions and Reeves’ 6th & Idaho. Along with Abrams, Reeves and Timm, Batman: Caped Crusader executive producers include Ed Brubaker, James Tucker, Daniel Pipski, Rachel Rusch Rich, and Sam Register.
Max has released a new teaser for THE PENGUIN, from Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios, debuting this fall. Starring Colin Farrell as Oz Cobb (aka “The Penguin”), the eight-episode DC Studios drama series continues The Batman epic crime saga that filmmaker Matt Reeves began with Warner Bros. Pictures’ global blockbuster “The Batman,” and centers on the character played by Farrell in the film.
The cast includes Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz, Michael Kelly, Shohreh Aghdashloo, Deirdre O’Connell, Clancy Brown, and Michael Zegen.
The series is executive produced by Matt Reeves, Dylan Clark, Colin Farrell, Lauren LeFranc, who writes and serves as showrunner, Craig Zobel, who directs the first three episodes, and Bill Carraro. Based on characters created for DC by Bob Kane with Bill Finger, THE PENGUIN is produced by Reeves’ 6th & Idaho Productions and Dylan Clark Productions in association with Warner Bros. Television, where Reeves and 6th & Idaho are under an overall deal. Daniel Pipski also serves as executive producer.
Matt Reeves goes noir for THE BATMAN, the latest in a long line of Batman reboots, and this time featuring Robert Pattinson as the Caped Crusader. Reeves, whose previous work includes CLOVERFIELD, DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES and its sequel, gives us a dark world, where it always seems to be raining, where corners are dimly lit and gritty streets are littered. The imagery suggests THE JOKER or even BLADE RUNNER, but this film is not as high-concept as either of those films. While the film noir style is gorgeous and the supporting cast strong, Pattinson’s one-note brooding, a plot with too many villains and not enough focus, and a nearly three-hour running time keep the film from truly soaring.
Still, it is distinctly different from the typical superhero movie, and an aesthetic well suited to Batman, always a darker superhero than most. That is all good for those of us who like film noir and gritty thrillers, although those who want brighter sets and a more typical superhero fare may be less pleased. However, beneath the surface, THE BATMAN is more a typical superhero tale, just in different clothing.
Batman (Robert Pattinson), the crime fighting alter-ego of millionaire Bruce Wayne, is one year in to his career as a secret enforcer of the law, but he is already questioning whether he is making any difference. The crime in Gotham City seems to still be going up and, since he lacks superpowers, he can’t be everywhere at once to stop crime. While he is plagued with doubts about this new life he has taken on as a way to avenge his murdered parents, he is still responding when the Bat signal lights up the sky. This time the crime strikes a personal chord for Batman – a man murdered on Halloween in his own home while his son was out trick-or-treating, only to come home and find the body. While this gruesome crime was taking place, Batman was beating up some baddies in the subway, who had targeted an Asian man, in a little contemporary reference.
While Gordon (the always-excellent Jeffrey Wright), Batman’s police contact and the future Police Commissioner, is unwavering in his support, others on the police force are more hostile to the Batman, regarding him as an intruder rather than a help. But this murder scene has some quirky elements, among which is a greeting card addressed to the Batman. Inside are hints in the form of a riddle, a sure sign of Batman’s long-time nemesis, the Riddler (Paul Dano). Except, at this point, he isn’t a long time adversary, because Bruce Wayne is still fairly new at this Batman stuff.
However, Reeves doesn’t stop with a single villain. THE BATMAN also brings in the Penguin (an unrecognizable Colin Farrell) and an underworld figure, Carmine Falcone, played by John Turturro. But the best character is Zoe Kravitz’s Catwoman, that combination criminal adversary and love interest for iron-jawed Batman. Rounding out the cast are Andy Serkis as Batman’s aide/butler Alfred, Peter Sarsgaard as District Attorney Colson, plus Barry Keoghan, Rupert Penry-Jones and Jayme Lawson, among others.
There are twists and surprises aplenty here, often with “Ave Maria” often playing in the background. That soundtrack motif feels a bit of pretentious after while, but photography by Greig Fraser is gloriously noir, a real delight for fans of that genre.
Presenting the Batman story as film noir, as a police procedural, is an intriguing way to come at the whole Batman/Bruce Wayne tale. Audiences are so familiar with the Batman origin story through the many Batman retellings and reboots, that skipping some of its familiar elements, like a scene of his parents’ murders, is no problem. Finding a new way into this story is a bit of a problem, so doing so is an impressive feat, and the film deserves credit for that.
In this is a grim world, corruption is everywhere and the plot is very dark. But despite all the film noir surface, this is still a comic book movie and not some deep psychological drama. Pattinson does his handsome, brooding thing, with a little more youthful vulnerability in the few scenes where he is Bruce Wayne. Clearly Batman’s armor is protective in more than one way. His performance should please his fans, although as an actor, he has done more nuanced work in other roles. This Batman feels very young, more so that other versions. In his crime fighter identity, Pattinson’s Batman projects amazing strength and agility, even beyond all the technology at his fingertips. But his Bruce Wayne is not the smooth social character, polished and perfectly groomed, that we usually see for the alter-ego, but a very young man, reserved, even shy, and often a bit disheveled, but so privileged that it doesn’t matter. Once again, a far different approach.
The supporting cast is excellent, boosted by some unexpected choices, like Paul Dano as the Riddler, who is a delight. While Pattinson does that quiet, brooding thing, Zoe Kravitz nearly steals the show as Catwoman. Kravitz gives us a crackling Catwoman – smart, fearless, with a ready wit, that she sometimes turns on the Batman. This Catwoman has her own alter-ego and backstory, but most of all she lights up the screen with electric energy and has a terrific, biting sense of humor. Zoe Kravitz is one of the best things about this film, followed closely by Paul Dano, doing a fine, crazy Riddler. As the Penguin, Colin Farrell is largely underutilized, appearing in few scenes.
Where THE BATMAN goes off the rails is in offering too much, starting with it’s nearly three-hour running time. Too much story, too many villains and too much running time. Introducing so many villains (or near-villains) does the film no favor, and then there is the the nearly three hours running time. And you feels that running time too – every extra major character requires a subplot that deviates from the central story, and while Reeves does bring it all together in the end, it feels overwritten and audiences many feel exhausted by the end. There is enough material for two, maybe three, movies here, crammed into this one. It is a case of less would have been more.
THE BATMAN opens Friday, Mar. 4, at multiple theaters.
Watertower Music has announced the release of “The Batman”, the compelling new theme from director Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.
The theme was created by Academy-, Emmy- and Grammy Award winning composer Michael Giacchino (the current “Spider-Man,” “Jurassic World” and “Star Wars” films, “Up”) and is the first music to be made available from Giacchino’s upcoming The Batman (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack).
Here’s what Matt Reeves said over on Twitter about Giacchino’s score. The filmmaker and composer previously worked on Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, released on July 11, 2014 and the third film, War for the Planet of the Apes, released on July 14, 2017
From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne. Two years of stalking the streets as the Batman (Robert Pattinson), striking fear into the hearts of criminals, has led Bruce Wayne deep into the shadows of Gotham City.
With only a few trusted allies—Alfred Pennyworth (Andy Serkis), Lt. James Gordon (Jeffrey Wright)—amongst the city’s corrupt network of officials and high-profile figures, the lone vigilante has established himself as the sole embodiment of vengeance amongst his fellow citizens.When a killer targets Gotham’s elite with a series of sadistic machinations, a trail of cryptic clues sends the World’s Greatest Detective on an investigation into the underworld, where he encounters such characters as Selina Kyle/aka Catwoman (Zoë Kravitz), Oswald Cobblepot/aka the Penguin (Colin Farrell), Carmine Falcone (John Turturro), and Edward Nashton/aka the Riddler (Paul Dano). As the evidence begins to lead closer to home and the scale of the perpetrator’s plans becomes clear, Batman must forge new relationships, unmask the culprit, and bring justice to the abuse of power and corruption that has long plagued Gotham City.
Starring alongside Robert Pattinson (“Tenet,” “The Lighthouse”) as Gotham’s famous and infamous cast of characters are Zoë Kravitz (“Big Little Lies,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”); Paul Dano (“Love & Mercy,” “12 Years a Slave”); Jeffrey Wright (“No Time to Die,” “Westworld”); John Turturro (the “Transformers” films, “The Plot Against America”); Peter Sarsgaard (“The Magnificent Seven,” “Interrogation”) as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson; Jayme Lawson (“Farewell Amor”) as mayoral candidate Bella Reál; with Andy Serkis (the “Planet of the Apes” films, “Black Panther”); and Colin Farrell (“The Gentlemen,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”).Reeves (“The Planet of the Apes” franchise) directed from a screenplay by Reeves & Peter Craig, based on characters from DC.
Batman was created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger.
Dylan Clark (the “Planet of the Apes” films) and Reeves produced the film, with Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo and Simon Emanuel serving as executive producers. The director’s behind-the-scenes creative team included Oscar-nominated director of photography Greig Fraser (“Dune,” “Lion”); Reeves’ “Planet of the Apes” production designer, James Chinlund, and editor, William Hoy; editor Tyler Nelson (“Rememory”); and Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“1917,” “Little Women,” “Anna Karenina”). The music is by Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino (the current “Spider-Man,” “Jurassic World” and “Star Wars” films, “Up”).Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a 6th & Idaho/Dylan Clark Productions Production, a Matt Reeves Film, “The Batman.”
The film is set to open in theaters in North America March 4, 2022 and internationally beginning 2 March 2022; it will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.“The Batman” is rated PG-13 by the MPA for strong violent and disturbing content, drug content, strong language, and some suggestive material.
Check out the brand new trailer for THE BATMAN, hitting theaters next year on March 4, 2022.
From Warner Bros. Pictures comes Matt Reeves’ “The Batman,” starring Robert Pattinson in the dual role of Gotham City’s vigilante detective and his alter ego, reclusive billionaire Bruce Wayne.
Starring alongside Pattinson (“Tenet,” “The Lighthouse”) as Gotham’s famous and infamous cast of characters are Zoë Kravitz (“Big Little Lies,” “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald”) as Selina Kyle; Paul Dano (“Love & Mercy,” “12 Years a Slave”) as Edward Nashton; Jeffrey Wright (“No Time to Die,” “Westworld”) as the GCPD’s James Gordon; John Turturro (the “Transformers” films, “The Plot Against America”) as Carmine Falcone; Peter Sarsgaard (“The Magnificent Seven,” “Interrogation”) as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson; Jayme Lawson (“Farewell Amor”) as mayoral candidate Bella Reál; with Andy Serkis (the “Planet of the Apes” films, “Black Panther”) as Alfred; and Colin Farrell (“The Gentlemen,” “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them”) as Oswald Cobblepot.
Reeves (“The Planet of the Apes” franchise) directed from a screenplay by Reeves & Peter Craig, based on characters from DC. Batman was created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger. Dylan Clark (the “Planet of the Apes” films) and Reeves produced the film, with Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada, Chantal Nong Vo and Simon Emanuel serving as executive producers.
The director’s behind-the-scenes creative team included Oscar-nominated director of photography Greig Fraser (“Dune,” “Lion”); Reeves’ “Planet of the Apes” production designer, James Chinlund, and editor, William Hoy; editor Tyler Nelson (“Rememory”); and Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“1917,” “Little Women,” “Anna Karenina”). The music is by Oscar-winning composer Michael Giacchino (the current “Spider-Man,” “Jurassic World” and “Star Wars” films, “Up”).
Warner Bros. Pictures Presents a 6th & Idaho/Dylan Clark Productions Production, a Matt Reeves Film, “The Batman.” The film is set to open in theaters March 4, 2022 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
DC FanDome: Hall of Heroes wrapped up with a 30-minute discussion with director Matt Reeves about The Batman, and it did not disappoint. Introduced by Robert Pattinson and moderated by DC FanDome host Aisha Tyler, the fast-talking Reeves covered quite a bit over the course of the panel, including giving fans a pretty clear idea of what sort of story they’re in for when The Batman debuts in October of next year.
As had been discussed before, The Batman is set during Bruce Wayne’s second year as a crimefighter, meaning it’s not an origin, but the Dark Knight is clearly still establishing himself and becoming the hero he’ll eventually become. As Reeves made clear, “He’s far from perfect.” While Batman is no longer a new presence in Gotham City when The Batman starts, he’s not having the affect on the city that he wants to have…and that’s when the murders start.
Those murders really shed some light on the true history of Gotham and open up a world of corruption that touches on Batman’s origins, forcing Bruce to confront the question of where his family might have sat in all of that. Reeves promises that The Batman will be a mystery and a detective story, but a deeply personal one for Batman.
Later, Reeves answered some fan questions, including some of the movies that influenced his vision for The Batman (Chinatown, The French Connection and Taxi Driver) and one surprising comic (Darwyn Cooke’s Batman: Ego). He even shared a bit of what we can expect from the recently announced HBO Max TV series set in the universe of the film. That series, which Reeves is working on with Boardwalk Empire creator Terrence Winter, will be set during Batman’s first year in Gotham, during the initial appearances of this new masked vigilante who seems to have declared war on Gotham’s underworld. Reeves explained that you’ll see this story through the point of view of the corrupt cops of the Gotham City Police Department, one corrupt cop in particular, and that in many ways, the story would be a battle for his soul.
However, the highlight of the panel was definitely the Batman teaser that Reeves debuted, which looks absolutely breathtaking despite being cut from only about 25% of the film. Moody, dark and utterly gripping, the teaser is everything we wanted and more.
DC Fans can’t wait to see more from The Batman. The second day of DC FanDome, which is called DC FanDome: Explore the Multiverse, is coming on September 12th and features over 100 hours of content that will be available on demand for a full day. You thought eight hours was a lot? Better rest up, DC fans. It’s just getting started!
From Warner Bros. Pictures comes “The Batman,” with director Matt Reeves (the “Planet of the Apes” films) at the helm and with Robert Pattinson (“Tenet,” “The Lighthouse,” “Good Time”) starring as Gotham City’s vigilante detective, Batman, and billionaire Bruce Wayne. Also in the star-studded ensemble as Gotham’s famous and infamous cast of characters are Zoë Kravitz (“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” “Mad Max: Fury Road”) as Selina Kyle; Paul Dano (“Love & Mercy,” “12 Years a Slave”) as Edward Nashton; Jeffrey Wright (the “Hunger Games” films) as the GCPD’s James Gordon; John Turturro (the “Transformers” films) as Carmine Falcone; Peter Sarsgaard (“The Magnificent Seven,” “Black Mass”) as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson; Barry Keoghan (“Dunkirk”) as Officer Stanley Merkel; Jayme Lawson (“Farewell Amor”) as mayoral candidate Bella Reál; with Andy Serkis (the “Planet of the Apes” films, “Black Panther”) as Alfred; and Colin Farrell (“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” “Dumbo”) as Oswald Cobblepot.
“The Batman” was written by Matt Reeves & Peter Craig. Reeves and Dylan Clark (the “Planet of the Apes” films) are producing the film, with Simon Emanuel, Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada and Chantal Nong Vo serving as executive producers. Reeves’ behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar-nominated director of photography Greig Fraser (“Lion,” upcoming “Dune”); his “Planet of the Apes” production designer, James Chinlund; editors William Hoy (the “Planet of the Apes” films) and Tyler Nelson (“Rememory”); Oscar-winning VFX supervisor Dan Lemmon (“The Jungle Book”); Oscar-nominated SFX supervisor Dominic Tuohy (“1917,” “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker”); Oscar-nominated sound mixer Stuart Wilson (“1917,” the “Star Wars” franchise); Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“1917,” “Little Women,” “Anna Karenina”) and costume designers Glyn Dillon (the “Star Wars” franchise) and David Crossman (“1917,” the “Star Wars” franchise); hair designer Zoe Tahir (upcoming “No Time to Die,” “Spectre”); and Oscar-nominated makeup designer Naomi Donne (“1917”).
Based on characters from DC. Batman was created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger. “The Batman” is set to open in theaters October 1, 2021 in select 3D and 2D and IMAX theaters and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Principal photography on Warner Bros. Pictures’ “The Batman” began in January and this week director Matt Reeves (the “Planet of the Apes” films) released this first look of Robert Pattinson in the Bat Suit.
Robert Pattinson (upcoming “Tenet,” “The Lighthouse,” “Good Time”) stars as Gotham City’s vigilante detective, Batman, and billionaire Bruce Wayne.
Batman was created by Bob Kane with Bill Finger. Based on characters from DC, “The Batman” is set to open in theaters June 25, 2021 and will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Filmmaker and comic book geek Kevin Smith had his own take on this first look and commented on it over on Twitter.
Starring alongside Pattinson as Gotham’s famous and infamous cast of characters are Zoë Kravitz (“Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald,” “Mad Max: Fury Road”) as Selina Kyle; Paul Dano (“Love & Mercy,” “12 Years a Slave”) as Edward Nashton; Jeffrey Wright (the “Hunger Games” films) as the GCPD’s James Gordon; John Turturro (the “Transformers” films) as Carmine Falcone; Peter Sarsgaard (“The Magnificent Seven,” “Black Mass”) as Gotham D.A. Gil Colson; Jayme Lawson (“Farewell Amor”) as mayoral candidate Bella Reál; with Andy Serkis (the “Planet of the Apes” films, “Black Panther”) as Alfred; and Colin Farrell (“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” “Dumbo”) as Oswald Cobblepot.
Reeves and Dylan Clark (the “Planet of the Apes” films) are producing the film, with Simon Emanuel, Michael E. Uslan, Walter Hamada and Chantal Nong Vo serving as executive producers.
Reeves’ behind-the-scenes creative team includes Oscar-nominated director of photography Greig Fraser (“Lion,” upcoming “Dune”); his “Planet of the Apes” production designer, James Chinlund; editors William Hoy (the “Planet of the Apes” films) and Tyler Nelson (“Rememory”); Oscar-winning VFX supervisor Dan Lemmon (“The Jungle Book”); Oscar-nominated SFX supervisor Dominic Tuohy (“1917,” “Star Wars: Episode IX – The Rise of Skywalker”); Oscar-nominated sound mixer Stuart Wilson (“1917,” the “Star Wars” franchise); Oscar-winning costume designer Jacqueline Durran (“1917,” “Little Women,” “Anna Karenina”) and costume designers Glyn Dillon (the “Star Wars” franchise) and David Crossman (“1917,” the “Star Wars” franchise); hair designer Zoe Tahir (upcoming “No Time to Die,” “Spectre”); and Oscar-nominated makeup designer Naomi Donne (“1917”).
And just a week after the highly entertaining reboot of the web-slinger, here comes another franchise reboot, but rather than a first entry, here’s the third chapter, the rumored final one (only the grosses will tell) of a trilogy launched six years ago. But its roots go back nearly 50 years (we’re getting into Bond territory). Oh, and this is really the second reboot (first one didn’t…take). That original ancestor is that 1968 classic PLANET OF THE APES, the movie that gave Charlton Heston an iconic role not from biblical times, rather it established him as a science fiction star (mainly in dour futures as with THE OMEGA MAN and SOYLENT GREEN). Sure Chuck brought the adults in and made it “respectable”, but for the younger set, the flick was all about the fabulous simian make-ups enveloping some great character actors. Those John Chambers designed prosthetics continued on through four sequels and a prime-time live action TV series, along with countless toys, comic books, trading cards, and a Saturday-morning cartoon. By the late 70’s the fans had moved on to STAR WARS and their ilk, so “Ape City” was shuttered until Fox decided to bring them back for a new generation, guided by the director who made Batman a mega movie star, Tim Burton. But this was not a match made in movie heaven, despite the imaginative make-up work by Oscar-winner Rick Baker. After a lukewarm box office reception, the apes would go into hibernation for ten years, until director Rupert Wyatt helmed a reboot that was actually a “prequel” to that 68′ original. It was about “the beginning of the end”, focusing on the man-made virus that caused the RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES. The other big change was in the looks of the apes themselves. Computer technology backed “motion capture” (mo-cap) had brought the creature Gollum (along with many other ‘beasties’) to vivid life in the Lord of the Rings trilogy. That new effects innovation, rather than foam and latex, could turn human actors into virus-enhanced simians. And who would play the chimp Caesar, the ape leader? None other than Gollum himself, Andy Serkis. Matt Reeves took over the series reigns in 2014 with DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES, which had Caesar leading the charge against the human military out to eradicate them. Those battles led right into the final battles for Earth, as Reeves now delivers the final curve of the ‘arc’ , the WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES.
The film begins with quiet, not chaos. A band of heavily armed human soldiers are quietly converging on a densely wooded area in the American Northwest, not long after sunrise. But, what is this? There are a number of apes helping them?! But how? Before we learn the answer, the group is attacked by a huge band of apes. They capture a few of the humans and the traitor apes. One soldier talks, saying that they were sent by the infamous ape-hating human soldier known only as “The Colonel” to track down the long-in-hiding ape ‘king’ Caesar. And suddenly the simian ‘phantom’ appears, the enigmatic chimp himself (Serkis). Despite pleas from his ape brothers, Caesar decides to release the humans (“Apes not kill”), but their gorilla helpers will stay behind (later they revealed that the humans offered them mercy, protection, and food). The peace doesn’t last a day. Under the cover of darkness, the hidden cave home of the apes is attacked by forces led personally by The Colonel (Woody Harrelson). After the soldiers retreat (with their ape helpers), Caesar must deal with the tragedy left in their wake. He will track down The Colonel and his troops, not for revenge, but to start a ‘dialogue’. But he won’t be alone, as several apes, including Rocket (Terry Notary) and the orangutan Maurice (Karin Konoval). join him on the trail. Along the way they befriend a young mute human girl (Amiah Miller) and enlist an ape who escaped a human research facility, one who has mastered speech much like Caesar (the others converse in sign language), who refers to himself by the name given to him by his captors, “Bad Ape” (Steve Zahn). Reluctantly ‘BA’ guides them to The Colonel’s fortress, where he has taken all the apes from the caves, including Caesar’s tiny son, and enslaved them. They work to exhaustion building a wall around the compound. To keep something out? To keep them in? Caesar and his crew will not stop until they free their ape family and prevent The Colonel from continuing his mad plan of ape extinction.
Despite their CG “jumpsuit” the actors still manage to convey the most subtle emotions, saying volumes with through their eyes and punctuated with superb body language. This newest work proves why Serkis is the “go to guy” when it comes to ‘mo-cap’. This is not to short change the immense contributions of the artists and technicians behind all the spectacular simians, but Mr. S makes Caesar one of the most charismatic, dynamic action heroes of this or any other blockbuster summer movie. He commands our attention, much like one of the classic, tormented royals of the Shakespeare plays. But, there’s a scene-stealer in the midst, a “Bad Ape’ that’s very good indeed, portrayed by the comically gifted Mr. Zahn. As he scurries about in his frayed “ski bum” attire, Zahn brings a manic, edgy energy to every scene, but he still let’s us see his shattered soul. BA seems scared of everything, with very good reason, even as he’s hilariously possessive of the most useless junk (“Put down! Mine!”). I’d also single out the understated work of Ms. Konoval as Maurice, the lumbering, sad-eyed consultant who’s a Buddha-like conscience to Caesar. Thankfully, this hero has an equally interesting villain in Harrelson, who is banal, dead-eyed evil incarnate as The Colonel (perhaps a nod to the mad Kurtz of Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness”). He’s nearly impossible to ‘read’, never giving you a warning to his next deadly action. When his agenda is finally revealed, Harrelson’s matter-of-fact delivery will send a chill up your spine. Also of note is the delicate performance of Miller as the apes’ “pet” who is a reminder to them that there still may be some humanity left in those violent, aggressive humans.
Reeves keeps the pace taught with dread and suspense, only lightening the atmosphere with the welcome comic relief of BA. In the film’s last act, it goes from a journey right from THE SEARCHERS to a prison or POW escape thriller, that loses a bit of the tension with one too many “test of the wills” between ape and man. The action sequences are riveting, though some of the quickened editing tricks make for some confusion (all those camo clothes and fur, I suppose). Still the flick is a technical marvel, with the apes looking and moving much better than they did in the two previous installments. Like Gollum, and more recently Kong and Groot, they’ve gone beyond playful pixels and become truly compelling dramatic characters. Fans of the series will be dazzled by the apes and should find a most satisfying conclusion to a world turned upside-down in WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES. They may just go ‘bananas’ for it (aw, just couldn’t resist, darn’ it).
Sony Music proudly announces the release of WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) with music by Grammy® and Academy Award®-winning composer Michael Giacchino.
The soundtrack will be released on July 7th and is available for pre-order here.
WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES is the third chapter to the 2011 & 2014 movies Rise of the Planet of the Apes and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. From acclaimed writer-director Matt Reeves and screenwriter Mark Bomback, War for the Planet of the Apes features Caesar and his apes being forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel. After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts andbegins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.
Writer-Director Matt Reeves says about the music: “Michael’s music for the Apes films is beautiful, inventive, epic, and above all, profoundly emotional. I know I am biased, but I think his score for War ranks among his absolute best. He is a simply master musical storyteller”.
Composer Michael Giacchino says about the score: Planet of the Apes was one of my first childhood obsessions. As a kid, I used to draw the Apes from the film non-stop, including creating little flip-books about them. In fact, the MEGO Planet of the Apes toys that I played with as a child have a special place on the shelves in the office that I write in today. So if having the opportunity to write the score for the latest installment of one of my favorite film franchises from my childhood isn’t enough, I have had the added pleasure of working on it with the equally Apes-obsessed director Matt Reeves. We both approach our work on these new films with the very same enthusiasm that we had as children, and that makes us one very happy team. Filmmaking is demanding and filled with days of intense work, but it is still FUN for us. I hope you can sense some of that joy and reverence for what came before in this new work for War for the Planet of the Apes.”
Composer Michael Giacchino has credits that feature some of the most popular and acclaimed film projects in recent history, including Inside Out, Jurassic World, The Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, The Incredibles, Ratatouille, andMission Impossible: Ghost Protocol. Giacchino’s 2009 score for the Pixar hitUp earned him an Oscar®, a Golden Globe®, the BAFTA, the Broadcast Film Critics’ Choice Award and two Grammy® Awards.
Giacchino began his filmmaking career at the age of 10 in his backyard in Edgewater Park, New Jersey, and eventually went on to study filmmaking at the School of Visual Arts in NYC. After college, he landed a marketing job at Disney and began studies in music composition, first at Juilliard and then at UCLA. From marketing, he became a producer in the fledgling Disney Interactive Division where he had the opportunity to write music for video games.
After moving to a producing job at the newly formed DreamWorks Interactive Division, he was asked to score the temp track for the video game adaptation of The Lost World: Jurassic Park. Subsequently, Steven Spielberg hired him as the composer and it became the first PlayStation game to have a live orchestral score. Giacchino continued writing for video games and became well known for his Medal of Honor scores.
Giacchino’s work in video games sparked the interest of J.J. Abrams, and thus began their long-standing relationship that would lead to scores for the hit television series Alias and Lost, and the feature films Mission Impossible III,Star Trek, Super 8 and Star Trek Into Darkness.
Additional projects include collaborations with Disney Imagineering on music for Space Mountain, Star Tours (with John Williams) and the Ratatouille ride in Disneyland Paris. Giacchino also was the musical director of the 81st Annual Academy Awards®. His music can be heard in concert halls internationally withStar Trek, Star Trek Into Darkness and Ratatouille films being performed live-to-picture with a full orchestra.
Last year, Giacchino’s music could be heard in Zootopia, Star Trek Beyond, Dr. Strange, and Star WarsRogue One which marked the first score to be composed for a Star Wars film following John Williams. In addition to War of Planet of the Apes, Giacchino’s projects for 2017 include, The Book of Henry and Spider-Man Homecoming.
Giacchino serves as the Governor of the Music Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and sits on the advisory board of “Education Through Music Los Angeles”.
Tracklist:
Apes’ Past Is Prologue
Assault of the Earth
Exodus Wounds
The Posse Polonaise
The Bad Ape Bagatelle
Don’t Luca Now
Koba Dependent
The Ecstasy Of The Bold
Apes Together Strong
A Tide In The Affairs Of Apes
Planet Of The Escapes
The Hating Game
A Man Named Suicide
More Red Than Alive
Migration
Paradise Found
End Credits
WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES hits theaters everywhere July 14, 2017
Andy Serkis on the set of Twentieth Century Fox’s “War for the Planet of the Apes.”
20th Century Fox has released “Making History” – WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES and Weta Featurette.
“Making History” highlights Andy Serkis’ amazing performance in WAR FOR THE PLANET OF THE APES and the incredible VFX work done by Weta Digital to bring this movie to life.
Over the course of three films, Weta Digital has mastered the art of translating human actors to apes. The apes level of sentience has developed throughout each film and so too have Weta Digital’s techniques and toolsets.
Steve Zahn stars as Bad Ape in Twentieth Century Fox’s “War for the Planet of the Apes,” also starring Andy Serkis and Woody Harrelson.
L-r, Karin Konoval, Terry Notary, Andy Serkis and Michael Adamthwaite on the set of Twentieth Century Fox’s “War for the Planet of the Apes.”
Developing some of the most advanced techniques in the industry Weta artists employ these tools to create exceptional CG characters.
Check out the latest clip from the film.
In War for the Planet of the Apes, the third chapter of the critically acclaimed blockbuster franchise, Caesar and his apes are forced into a deadly conflict with an army of humans led by a ruthless Colonel.
After the apes suffer unimaginable losses, Caesar wrestles with his darker instincts and begins his own mythic quest to avenge his kind. As the journey finally brings them face to face, Caesar and the Colonel are pitted against each other in an epic battle that will determine the fate of both their species and the future of the planet.
