---
title: "War for the Planet of the Apes"
year: 2017
kind: "film"
canonical: "https://film.one/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes"
fi1m_score: 74
critics_score: 76
critics_reviews: 27
published: "2026-09-19T16:56:08.250498+00:00"
updated: "2026-09-19T16:56:08.609743+00:00"
region: "US"
licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL."
---

# War for the Planet of the Apes (2017)

Directed by Matt Reeves · 2h 20m · MPA PG-13 · Drama, Science Fiction, War

**Fi1m score: 74** · Critics 76 from 27 reviews

*In a sentence:* A war film in which the side with fur has the better manners and the better close-ups

> Matt Reeves closes the trilogy with a slow, snowbound revenge story and the best-acted ape ever put on screen. It is handsome, serious and half an hour too long, and its humans are far less carefully drawn than its chimpanzees.

## Synopsis

Years after a virus has thinned humanity and left apes able to speak, Caesar (Andy Serkis) leads his colony in the forests of northern California, hoping only to be left alone. He is not. A unit of human soldiers under a man known as the Colonel (Woody Harrelson) hunts the apes with the help of gorilla turncoats, among them Red Donkey (Ty Olsson). When the Colonel comes to the apes’ hideout at night and kills Caesar’s wife Cornelia (Judy Greer), Caesar sends his people towards a desert refuge and rides after the Colonel with the orangutan Maurice (Karin Konoval), the chimpanzee Rocket (Terry Notary) and the gorilla Luca (Michael Adamthwaite). On the road they pick up a mute human girl, Nova (Amiah Miller), and a nervous zoo escapee who calls himself Bad Ape (Steve Zahn).

## Review

Matt Reeves’s third and last film about Caesar begins with a battle in the woods and then spends most of its 140 minutes refusing to give us another one. Soldiers with slogans painted on their helmets creep through ferns towards an ape position; arrows and gunfire follow; and when it is over Caesar (Andy Serkis) sends the survivors home alive with a message for their commander. That is the whole film in one scene: the apes have learned mercy and the humans have forgotten it. Reeves and his co-writer Mark Bomback then build a revenge western on top of a war film, with a prison-camp story waiting in the second half, and they mostly hold it together.

Serkis is the reason it works as often as it does. Caesar is older, greyer and angrier than before, and the effects have reached a point where we stopped thinking about the technique within minutes and simply watched an actor. His face does most of the talking. The apes sign more than they speak, and the film has the patience to let a subtitle sit under a stare. Karin Konoval’s Maurice, the orangutan who has been Caesar’s conscience since *Rise*, gets the quietest scenes, most of them with Amiah Miller’s silent girl, and Toby Kebbell’s Koba, Caesar’s enemy from *Dawn*, turns up in a way the film does not explain and does not need to.

Michael Seresin shoots the first hour in wet green and the second in snow, and the switch does what the story needs: the world empties out around Caesar as he rides north. The night raid on the apes’ hideout is lit by hand torches and little else, and we were more shaken by it than we expected to be, because Reeves keeps the camera on Caesar’s face rather than on what he has found. James Chinlund’s production design gives the Colonel a camp in the mountains built into an old army depot, and it is the most convincing place in the film. Michael Giacchino’s score leans on drums and low woodwind and there is a great deal of it; when the film goes quiet, which is often, we wished it went quieter. William Hoy and Stan Salfas cut the opening assault so that we always know which side of the ridge we are on, and cut the long middle at a pace some will call patient and we, around the ninety-minute mark, called slow.

Woody Harrelson’s Colonel is the problem, or rather the writing around him is. He shaves his head, wears aviator sunglasses and has decided that the end of humanity justifies anything. Melissa Bruning’s costumes put him in a scarf and a leather jacket that owe an obvious debt to [*Apocalypse Now*](https://film.one/film/apocalypse-now), and the film knows it, which does not make the debt smaller. He gets one long speech across a table explaining himself, and Harrelson delivers it well, but it is a speech, and the apes have spent an hour making the same points with their eyebrows. The other humans are given rifles and little else. Gabriel Chavarria’s Preacher, a young soldier Caesar spares early on, is set up to matter more than the film lets him.

Steve Zahn’s Bad Ape, a zoo chimpanzee who has survived alone in a ski lodge and speaks in nervous half-sentences, is the one concession to lightness. We laughed at him, and then wondered whether a film this grim should be reaching for a laugh quite so often. He is also the one performance where we could see the actor behind the ape, which after Serkis is a step down.

Set beside *Rise* (2011) and Reeves’s own *Dawn* (2014), this is the best-looking of the three. It is also the slowest. *Dawn* had a villain who wanted something we understood; the Colonel wants a wall. At 140 minutes the film is around half an hour longer than its story, though the last twenty minutes justify more of the wait than we expected.

It carries a 12A certificate, and it is a hard one: apes are whipped, shot and starved, and a child who loved the earlier films could reasonably come out having enjoyed none of this. Grown-ups who liked the first two will find plenty to admire and a fair amount to sit through. Take the biggest screen available and do not expect the war the title promises.

*Fi1m score 74, published 19 September 2026.*

### Reviews we read (27)

- **The i Paper**, Matthew Turner (★★★★★): The review praises the film as a thoroughly enjoyable conclusion to the trilogy that makes viewers root for the apes' cause through technical wizardry, emotional close-ups, and a subversive script. It singles out the remarkable motion-capture performances and the way sympathy is built for the ape characters despite the story's apocalyptic implications for humanity. [Read](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-humans-rooting-for-apes-78623)
- **Evening Standard**, Matthew Norman (90/100, inferred): The critic calls the film an instant classic and masterly piece of work, a riveting blockbuster filled with heart and soul that idealises apes while demonising humanity. They single out the superlative cinematography, riveting plot, and emotional depth of the ape characters, especially Caesar's internal battle. [Read](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-full-on-gorilla-warfare-a3681741.html)
- **IndieWire**, Eric Kohn (90/100, inferred): The critic calls it a masterful conclusion to the best sci-fi trilogy since the original Star Wars, noting that as big effects-driven spectacles go, you can't do much better. It highlights the film's success as a Hollywood blockbuster. [Read](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-1201846843/)
- **Los Angeles Times**, Justin Chang (90/100, inferred): The critic hails it as a work of stunning blockbuster artistry with breathtaking formal beauty and tonal control, praising the visual storytelling, expressive ape performances, and moral nuance in rooting for the apes. [Read](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-war-planet-apes-review-20170712-story.html)
- **Screen Daily** (90/100, inferred): Reeves delivers a clever, well-acted summer blockbuster that serves as a smart and noble conclusion to the trilogy. It blends Western revenge and war movie elements effectively with strong performances. [Read](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review/5119405.article)
- **Sight and Sound**, Kim Newman (90/100, inferred): The film is a rich and satisfying entry that completes the recent Apes trilogy with epic scope. It stands out for its leaps in motion-capture technology and strong performances, especially Andy Serkis as Caesar. [Read](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/war-planet-apes-review-highly-evolved-cgi-enhanced-epic)
- **The Hollywood Reporter**, Todd McCarthy (90/100, inferred): The critic finds the film completes a rare strong trilogy, praising the smart racial and political themes and Andy Serkis's performance as Caesar. The Bottom Line notes the apes score a hat trick. [Read](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/war-planet-apes-review-1016506/)
- **Empire**, James Dyer (4/5): The critic finds the film a more subtle and introspective journey than its title suggests, with stunning visual effects and expressive ape performances that elevate it above typical blockbusters. They single out the realistic anthropoids and Serkis's nuanced portrayal of Caesar for making this the strongest entry yet. [Read](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/war-planet-apes-review/)
- **The Telegraph**, Robbie Collin (4/5): The review calls the film a soulful and mesmerising spectacle worthy of David Lean, commending its modulation between revenge western, historical epic and Vietnam-style meltdown movie, along with exceptional performance-capture work led by Andy Serkis. [Read](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/war-planet-apes-review-soulful-mesmerising-spectacle-worthy/)
- **Time Out**, Joshua Rothkopf (4/5): This is a somber, brutal and persuasive third entry that elevates the franchise with ethical complexity and soulfulness. It excels in its tension between vengeance and restraint, anchored by Serkis's performance. [Read](https://www.timeout.com/movies/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes)
- **The Guardian** (70/100, inferred): The critic praises the motion-capture technology that brings the apes to life with expressive faces and eyes, and highlights the film's exploration of what separates humans from animals as the apes grow smarter while humans grow crueler. [Read](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jul/16/war-for-planet-of-apes-review-andy-serkis)
- **The New York Times**, A.O. Scott (70/100, inferred): The critic finds the film makes viewers root for the apes against humanity, praising a haunting late scene where apes witness the aftermath of human carnage as a moment of cinematic clarity and rebuke. [Read](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/12/movies/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review.html)
- **Little White Lies**, David Jenkins (3/3/3): The film is technically impressive but let down by a sloppy storyline and muddled ambitions. It earns respect for its emotional intent and effects but fails to deliver depth beyond visuals. [Read](https://lwlies.com/reviews/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes)
- **Slant Magazine** (60/100, inferred): The critic views the film as residing in an ethical grey zone and an exercise in literary mythmaking, praising the high-power performances especially Serkis's but criticizing its jumble of symbols and offensive inanities. It makes a better case through performances than through its themes. [Read](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes/)
- **The Times** (★★★): The critic notes the film's shift to a more confined labour-camp story of resistance and psychological standoffs after an opening battle, praising some action sequences and added comedy but lamenting a lack of deeper momentum compared to the previous film. [Read](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/film-review-the-beguiled-war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-0dkhv2ns5)
- **Radio Times** (★★): The film is a dark and dreary chapter that overloads the story with clichés and heavy themes without fresh life. Effects are strong but undermined by narrative weaknesses and random plot elements. [Read](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-a-dark-and-dreary-chapter/)
- **Vulture** (40/100, inferred): The critic sees the film as unusually brave for a franchise entry but faults it for not earning its Apocalypse Now pretensions, resulting in an alienating yet sappy experience with ponderous pacing. It concludes it is an awesome, dull movie. [Read](https://www.vulture.com/article/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-movie-review.html)
- **Variety**, Peter Debruge (30/100, inferred): The critic praises the technical evolution of the apes' effects but criticizes the film for reducing humans to stereotypes, lacking functional allegory, and betraying soullessness in its easy erasure of humanity. [Read](https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-1202478161/)
- **Den of Geek**, Ryan Lambie (5/5): The film is a bleak, introspective blend of western, war movie and sci-fi that continues the series' thoughtful storytelling with epic visuals and seamless effects. Andy Serkis's performance as the conflicted Caesar is the lynchpin, making it truly great cinema rather than just a summer blockbuster. [Read](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-2/)
- **/Film**, Ethan Anderton (10/10): The critic hails it as one of the most significant blockbusters of the decade and the strong conclusion to one of the greatest film trilogies. They single out the rich subtext, mind-blowing visual effects that convey real emotion, and the character progression of Caesar. [Read](https://www.slashfilm.com/551743/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review/)
- **Collider**, Matt Goldberg (A): The critic praises the film as a somber, emotional conclusion to the trilogy, highlighting Reeves' direction and Serkis' performance in weaving a revenge narrative into a deeper character study. They single out the blend of blockbuster spectacle with emotional depth and the franchise's thematic richness. [Read](https://collider.com/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review/)
- **Consequence** (A-): The review calls it a bleak but thoughtful blockbuster, commending Serkis' performance and Reeves' direction in exploring moral questions about survival and coexistence. They highlight the film's patient storytelling and sound design as standout elements. [Read](https://consequence.net/2017/07/film-review-war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes/)
- **Deadline**, Pete Hammond (90/100, inferred): The critic calls the film the best entry in the Planet of the Apes series and a singular blockbuster experience that tops its predecessors. They single out Andy Serkis's commanding performance as Caesar and the film's thematic depth on politics, race, and empathy. [Read](https://deadline.com/2017/06/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-andy-sirkis-woody-harrelson-1202120295/)
- **Polygon**, Julia Alexander (90/100, inferred): The review hails it as a near-perfect conclusion and the best in the franchise, praising its emotional depth, Serkis' performance, and balance of tragedy with moments of charm. They single out the personal journey of Caesar and the addition of Bad Ape for levity. [Read](https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/26/15872420/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review/)
- **HeyUGuys**, Stefan Pape (4/5): The critic calls it a dark and breathtaking film, one of the defining war movies of our time. They single out the impartial portrayal of characters on both sides and the film's study of the human condition amid war. [Read](https://www.heyuguys.com/war-planet-apes-review/)
- **NME**, Dan Brightmore (4/5): Reeves draws on Apocalypse Now and other classics for a meditation on the futility of war with pointed modern relevance and breathtaking vistas. The seamless CGI and moving climax deliver a franchise-boosting epic that feels thrilling and relevant. [Read](https://www.nme.com/reviews/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-2108623)
- **The Ringer**, K. Austin Collins (30/100, inferred): The critic finds the film overly serious and burdened by heavy themes and references, complaining that it takes itself too seriously instead of being an entertaining thriller. They single out its attempts at moral gravity as falling flat despite strong visuals. [Read](https://www.theringer.com/2017/07/11/pop-culture/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-film-review-512ff0cfa4bb)

## Details

- **Director:** Matt Reeves
- **Director:** Matt Reeves
- **Writer:** Mark Bomback, Matt Reeves
- **Cinematography:** Michael Seresin
- **Editor:** William Hoy, Stan Salfas
- **Music:** Michael Giacchino
- **Production design:** James Chinlund
- **Costume design:** Melissa Bruning
- **Producer:** Peter Chernin, Dylan Clark, Rick Jaffa
- **Cast:** Andy Serkis as Caesar; Woody Harrelson as The Colonel; Karin Konoval as Maurice; Terry Notary as Rocket; Steve Zahn as Bad Ape; Amiah Miller as Nova; Ty Olsson as Red Donkey; Michael Adamthwaite as Luca
- **Runtime:** 2h 20m
- **Certificate (MPA):** PG-13
- **Release (the US):** 14 July 2017
- **Genres:** Drama, Science Fiction, War
- **Budget:** $150 million
- **Box office:** $491 million
- **Trailer:** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1TxqmlIv1Iw

## Where to watch in the US

- HBO Max: streaming, leaving 2026-10-01
- The Roku Channel: add-on, hd, leaving 2026-10-01
- Hulu: add-on, hd, leaving 2026-10-01
- Amazon Prime Video: add-on, uhd
- Apple TV: rent $3.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: rent $3.99, uhd
- Apple TV: buy $4.99, hd
- Amazon Prime Video: buy $4.99, uhd

*Checked 2026-09-19.*

Also available in: AE, AR, AT, AU, BE, BG, BR, CA, CH, CL, CO, CZ, DE, DK, EC, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, HK, HR, HU, IE, IL, IS, IT, JP, KR, LT, MX, NL, NO, NZ, PA, PE, PL, PT, RO, RS, SE, SG, SI, TR, UA, US, ZA. Add `?region=XX` to this URL for another country.

## Awards

- Academy Awards 2018: Best Visual Effects (nominated)

## If you liked this

- *Planet of the Apes* (1968), Fi1m 84: Where the whole thing started; slower, stranger, and Heston is not the hero he thinks. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *Dawn of the Planet of the Apes* (2014), Fi1m 78: Reeves’s previous entry, with a villain who wants something you can understand. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/dawn-of-the-planet-of-the-apes.md)
- *The Bridge on the River Kwai* (1957), Fi1m 88: The prison-camp film this one keeps glancing at; Guinness builds the bridge properly. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/the-bridge-on-the-river-kwai.md)
- *The Searchers* (1956): A revenge ride across hard country by a hero who may not deserve to come home.
- *Ran* (1985), Fi1m 92: An old king, a divided house, and battles staged with the same gravity. — [Fi1m page](https://film.one/film/ran.md)

---
© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Canonical: https://film.one/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes