--- title: "War for the Planet of the Apes: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes" critics_score: 76 critics_reviews: 27 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): what the critics said Critics' score 76 from 27 reviews: 20 positive, 3 mixed, 4 negative. ## The i Paper — Matthew Turner Rating ★★★★★. 13 July 2017. 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 the review](https://inews.co.uk/culture/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-humans-rooting-for-apes-78623) ## Evening Standard — Matthew Norman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 16 November 2017. 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 the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-full-on-gorilla-warfare-a3681741.html) ## IndieWire — Eric Kohn Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2017. 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 the review](https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-1201846843/) ## Los Angeles Times — Justin Chang Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-war-planet-apes-review-20170712-story.html) ## Screen Daily Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2017. 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 the review](https://www.screendaily.com/reviews/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review/5119405.article) ## Sight and Sound — Kim Newman Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 13 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.bfi.org.uk/sight-and-sound/reviews/war-planet-apes-review-highly-evolved-cgi-enhanced-epic) ## The Hollywood Reporter — Todd McCarthy Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2017. 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 the review](https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/war-planet-apes-review-1016506/) ## Empire — James Dyer Rating 4/5. 26 June 2017. 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 the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/war-planet-apes-review/) ## The Telegraph — Robbie Collin Rating 4/5. 11 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.telegraph.co.uk/films/0/war-planet-apes-review-soulful-mesmerising-spectacle-worthy/) ## Time Out — Joshua Rothkopf Rating 4/5. 11 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes) ## The Guardian Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 16 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/jul/16/war-for-planet-of-apes-review-andy-serkis) ## The New York Times — A.O. Scott Fi1m's normalised score 70/100 (inferred from the text). 12 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2017/07/12/movies/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review.html) ## Little White Lies — David Jenkins Rating 3/3/3. 7 July 2017. 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 the review](https://lwlies.com/reviews/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes) ## Slant Magazine Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2017. 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 the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes/) ## The Times Rating ★★★. 15 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/film-review-the-beguiled-war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-0dkhv2ns5) ## Radio Times Rating ★★. 7 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.radiotimes.com/movies/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-a-dark-and-dreary-chapter/) ## Vulture Fi1m's normalised score 40/100 (inferred from the text). 11 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.vulture.com/article/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-movie-review.html) ## Variety — Peter Debruge Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2017. 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 the review](https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-1202478161/) ## Den of Geek — Ryan Lambie Rating 5/5. 28 June 2017. 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 the review](https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-2/) ## /Film — Ethan Anderton Rating 10/10. 14 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.slashfilm.com/551743/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review/) ## Collider — Matt Goldberg Rating A. 13 July 2017. 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 the review](https://collider.com/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review/) ## Consequence Rating A-. 10 July 2017. 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 the review](https://consequence.net/2017/07/film-review-war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes/) ## Deadline — Pete Hammond Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2017. 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 the review](https://deadline.com/2017/06/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-andy-sirkis-woody-harrelson-1202120295/) ## Polygon — Julia Alexander Fi1m's normalised score 90/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2017. 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 the review](https://www.polygon.com/2017/6/26/15872420/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review/) ## HeyUGuys — Stefan Pape Rating 4/5. 26 June 2017. 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 the review](https://www.heyuguys.com/war-planet-apes-review/) ## NME — Dan Brightmore Rating 4/5. 13 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.nme.com/reviews/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-review-2108623) ## The Ringer — K. Austin Collins Fi1m's normalised score 30/100 (inferred from the text). 11 July 2017. 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 the review](https://www.theringer.com/2017/07/11/pop-culture/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes-film-review-512ff0cfa4bb) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/war-for-the-planet-of-the-apes.md