Rise of the Planet of the Apes

Bottom Line: This undervalued movie is one of the best of the year.

The Gist: When scientific experiments raise Caesar the ape to have human-level intelligence, he must figure out what it means to know one’s self and find the apes place in the world.

The Verdict: Absolutely watch it. Andy Serkis, as Caesar through motion capture imagery, does an astonishing acting job. The themes of what it means to be human and what freedom means are fantastic. It is an excellent picture.

Be Aware: Rated PG-13 for intense action, the film has little language and no sexuality. It is a great film to watch with your older kids and teens.