Going against a mainstream genre

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although it falls under the summer blockbuster sci-fi adventure movies genre, “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” touches on many serious and significant cultural, scientific, and environmental aspects that our society faces in today’s modern world which contrasts it from the typical sci-fi movie.

 

What do you expect from a high budget summer sci-fi adventure movie? Popular characteristics include exploration of unknown territory, alien creatures, and surreal CGI affects. “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” is a unique sci-fi in the sense that these genre characteristics aren’t immediately seen within the movie. For example, the ‘alien creatures’ are the super-intelligent chimpanzees, NOT a typical alien. Additionally, there is a metaphorical, not literal, exploration of unknown territory since the movie takes place on earth in San Francisco, CA. The movie explores the infrequently unchartered waters of chimpanzee testing and chimpanzee intelligence and the impact that has on the relationship of humans and apes. And finally the CGI affects, well those are remarkable. Watching the movie, I completely forgot that the chimps were virtually created with computers. The movie makes the chimps look, act, and in general feel very realistic even though they were created with computer software.

 

 

"Caesar is home."

 

 

I am here to argue that this movie completely goes against the typical genre of sci-fi movies. Most typical sci-fi movies argue that humans should expand their territories and explore new regions. Interestingly, the final scene of this movie emphasizes that humans must do the opposite of expansion and should instead recognize other animals’ habitats and leave them alone. “Caesar is home”, the main quote spoken by Caesar, strikes at the heart of the argument. It is a simple yet powerful three word sentence that directly opposes what Will (main human character who raised Caesar) is trying to ask of Caesar, and that is for Caesar to leave the forest and come back to the city with him. Caesar refuses and just by uttering three words, explains to Will and the viewer that the forest, which is now inhabited by other chimpanzees like him, is his real home. Not back in the city with other humans like Will.

Because of this, the mainstream genre of "sci fi" is directly opposed in this scene. In most sci fi movies, the humans or alien creatures are portrayed as conquorers of new lands, and the animals which inhabit it usually have no say in the matter. Here, Caesar specifically tells Will that man and ape cannot live together. This raises the important question: should humans be meddling with nature and testing possible medicines on chimpanzee test subjects? Also, should we be invading nature and destroying other animals' habitats such as rainforests, oceans, etc? Because of this movie, the audience is faced with these all important questions after they finish watching "Rise of the Planet of the Apes."

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This scene also shows peace between man and ape, while in other sci fi movies there is often a struggle between different species. Right as the scene begins, Caesar extends his hand to help Will up from the ground. This gesture is a sign of acceptance and respect. Also, the way the scene is shot shows both Caesar and Will to be the same height, and they look eye to eye at each other. This is important because it shows that both of them are equally powerful and ultimately cannot live together. Humans, like Will, often don't realize that animals have their own desires to live independently with their own kind. Will’s attempt to have Caesar as a lifetime friend and “pet” has ultimately failed because of Caesar’s longing to live in his natural habitat with other chimps. Human attempts for domestication of animals are harmful and unfair. We don’t consider the animals as other living creatures; we only look at them as possessions (pets).

 

 

 

Caesar is not welcome.

 

 

I also want to discuss the emphasis that the movie has on the different cultural aspects of humans and apes. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                             

                                                                                                              (skip to around 1:15)

 

 

At one point, Caesar feels that another man is threatening Will’s father. Caesar responds by pouncing on the man, tackling him and hitting him with his hands. The neighbors are shocked and once Caesar realizes what he has done, there is a close up shot of his face and he has a sad and confused face. He feels out of place and like he has done something wrong, when he only had good intentions all along. This emotional scene suggests that humans and apes cannot live among each other simply on the basis of different cultural instincts. Chimps will react defensively and with violence/fighting for their brethren while humans have learned to deal with conflicts less violently. (for the most part.. i.e. wars..)

How does this go against the mainstream genre of sci fi movies? Well, it's pretty clear that this scene is very emotional especially for Caesar. The neighbors all stare at him and he feels out of place. The viewer has no choice basically but to SYMPATHIZE and feel bad for Caesar. The ape is shown as a victim, not an aggressor. Most sci fi movies portray the "mutant animals" or "aliens" or whatever creature as powerful, evil, and aggressors. This is not the case with "Rise of the Planet of the Apes." In general, the apes are shown as the victims and the humans are shown as the culprits. 

 

 

In conclusion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I first asked my mom if she would like to watch "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" with me last weekend, she immediately refused. She told me, and I quote, "I never liked and never will like any sci-fi movie. They are too 'out of this world' and too scary." I managed to convince her to sit down and watch at least half of it with me and half way through she told me that this movie was nothing like what she expected. She loved it and ended up watching the rest of the movie.

I knew this was the response I would get. 

The emotional connection that the viewer establishes with Caesar throughout the movie is a testament to how this film goes against the common sci fi movie. Instead of fear, the movie's general atmosphere is that of love for the ape-man relationship and unfortunately at the end, the sadness for the inevitable parting of ape and man. 

 

 

 

 

 

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