Parents need to know that “War for the Planet of the Apes,” which is part of the long-running sci-fi/action movie series, is the third movie focusing on intelligent ape leader Caesar (Andy Serkis). It’s heavy on fantasy violence, with guns and shooting, arrows, missiles, and explosions. Some bloody wounds are shown, though there’s not much gore overall. Apes are imprisoned, tortured, whipped, and forced to work. Characters die, and one character commits suicide off screen. Language is mild, with sparing use of “goddamn.” The movie is very smart and subtly discusses issues of how fear can lead to problems like slavery and war. But Caesar isn’t exactly a role model, since he chooses to seek revenge (though he does pay a price). Overall the movie is a great combination of exciting and thought provoking, worth enjoying as well as discussing.

WHAT’S THE STORY?

In “War for the Planet of the Apes,” Caesar (Andy Serkis), the apes’ intelligent leader, has just won the battle of “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes,” but more troops are coming. As Caesar ponders his options, his home is attacked by soldiers, with tragic results. Caesar decides to move his tribe to a new location, but thirst for revenge causes him to hit the road, seeking the colonel responsible for the attack. He’s accompanied by Maurice, Karin Konoval), Rocket (Terry Notary), and Luca (Michael Adamthwaite). On the road, they meet a young girl (Amiah Miller), whose voice and mannerisms seem to have been affected by something. They also meet a zoo ape, called “Bad Ape” (Steve Zahn), who helps. Eventually, Caesar meets the Colonel (Woody Harrelson), but he must face his toughest challenges before everything ends.

IS IT ANY GOOD?

Director Matt Reeves follows the excellent “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” with this even more complex, darker, smarter sequel, which seems destined to resonate longer than a typical popcorn movie. “War for the Planet of the Apes” is thrilling, expertly made, and packs an emotional punch, especially thanks to canny motion-capture performances by Serkis and Zahn and a thrillingly layered human performance by Harrelson.

Skipping shaky-cam footage and lazy editing, Reeves’ direction is razor-sharp, swift, and clear, even if it reverts to its true status as a popcorn movie every so often by lifting bits and pieces from “Apocalypse Now” and “Star Wars.” “War for the Planet of the Apes” wrestles with issues of slavery and war and their roots in fear, but it does so in a way that lets viewers reach their own conclusions. Its greatest trick is that it effectively places the audience’s sympathies with the non-human characters, turning a light on the fatal flaws and destructive demeanors of humans. Even as viewers are exhilarated, they’ll also find that the movie’s substance sticks with them for a while.

RATING AND CONTENT

Recommended for ages 13 and older

Quality: 4 out of 5

Positive messages: 3 out of 5

Positive role models: 2 out of 5

Violence: 4 out of 5

Sex: 0 out of 5

Language: 2 out of 5

Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 0 out of 5

Consumerism: 1 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)

MOVIE DETAILS

Theatrical release date: July 14, 2017

Director: Matt Reeves

Studio: Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation

Run time: 140 minutes

MPAA rating: PG-13

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