Cynthia often pokes fun at me saying that I have a special relationship with the primates. And she does not mind accompanying me to watch “Rise of the Plant of the Apes” (what a mouthful don’t you think?) due to my profound love for the apes. Well, to clarify, when I was a teen, I was used to revise my subjects at the Hong Kong Zoological and Botanical Gardens in the morning, before the school started. I would pace up and down the path next to the animal cages reading my textbooks. My favorite stretch was located at the primate’s area. At times, the smell of the animals could be overwhelming. Especially when the wind blew towards me. But I got used to it. I reckon I could retire in a farm when I grow old.
Yesterday morning, Cynthia’s mother flew out of Singapore and returned to Indonesia after close to two months of stay. We miss her, of course. Life seems to be less eventful when she is not in Singapore. I called up TK and wanted to ask him if he could join us for the movie. What I did not know was that I have interrupted his intense jogging ritual. No wonder he had to catch a breath before calling me back. Can we do it later, he asked. Since we have made plan to buy and assemble a new computer later this evening, we preferred to watch the film on an earlier time slot. Besides, our Warcraft guild had some unfinished business at a troll dungeon that we agreed to regroup (which it did not happen). Less than an hour before the show started, TK said he could join us. Miraculously, he managed to get a seat next to ours.
I am not familiar with “Planet of the Apes” franchise. I know that has something to do with how it begins. From a storytelling point of view, I was enchanted. I found myself cheering for the apes. TK was depressed, as the human side loses ground. I suppose this is the beauty of an artwork. Different people relate to different aspects of the story.
James Franco plays the role of a scientist who is in search for a virus that can save human lives by repairing the damaged brain cells. His ultimate goal is to cure his father suffered from a brain disease. After years of research and testing, the research has shown positive results. The apes have gained phenomenal level of cognition and intelligence. Thereafter, the story centers at the main ape character – Caesar.
I love watching the computer graphics, especially Caesar’s swinging sequence. I know it is not real. But it is as real as it can get using today’s technology. Caesar is full of emotion. His facial expression is acted by Andy Serkis who has also participated in Lord of the Ring as the gollum.
I do have one takeaway point from “Rise of the Planet of the Apes”. If you are the underdog who has discovered a brilliant idea. First, share this idea with those who are on your side and get them to the same level. Then, destroy your counterpart with the very thing they create. If you think about it, we see this everyday in the corporate world.