I watched the movie "The Rise of the Planet of the Apes" tonight. I had pretty low expectations with this movie due to it's main theme. Apes becoming so human-like that they rise up and take over San Francisco. The IMDb website offers this nugget of goodness on the movie, "During experiments to find a cure for Alzheimer's disease, a genetically-enhanced chimpanzee uses its greater intelligence to lead other apes to freedom." Well...uh...ok. I wouldn't say that this tag line really leaves me wanting more. Experimental Alzheimer's cures? Genetically-enhanced chimpanzees? A zoo on the loose? Needless to say, my expectations were pretty low.
This was not my favorite movie of the year by any stretch of the imagination, but it did say something about the importance of relationships and the results of dysfunctional relationships. Cesar is the main, genetically-enhanced chimp who becomes the Leader of the Apes. Two scenes involving Cesar offer great insights into the truth of relationships. The first scene depicts the Alzheimer's victim Charles, the father of Will, who together have raised Cesar, having an Alzheimer's outbreak. He thinks that he can still drive a car, which he cannot. He gets into his neighbors car, which was conveniently left running and driver's door open. Quickly a fight breaks out between the owner of the car and the confused Charles. Cesar sees the fight breaking out and is visibly agitated by the neighbors verbal and physical (albeit light) assault on Charles. Instantly, Cesar full out attacks the neighbor. He tackles him, punches him several times and eventually bites off his finger (kinda gross), until he hears his name, "Cesar!" from Charles. That is all it took for the 5 year old chimp to realize what he has done and to come lay his head upon the still confused and shocked Charles. Cesar protected Charles with everythign he had.
Another scene that really seems to bring light to the idea of relationships happens later in the movie. Due to the previous incident with Charles, Cesar is put in a facility where he is caged. Will after the death of his father is so moved to get Cesar out of the facility that he tries to payoff the keeper of the facility to let Cesar out. The keeper agrees (and takes the money), but Cesar does not agree. He is so offended by being placed in the facility and abandoned by Will that instead of being free with Will he would rather be locked and caged with his own people in the facility. He locks himself back into his cage! Pretty crazy! This is a sad moment where Will is greatly disappointed and saddened by Cesar's gesture. Even more than that, when Will leaves the rest of the Apes begin to affirm Cesar's devotion to the "tribe" by hooting and hollering.
So, what do these two scenes depict about human relationships? First, we need them. Cesar found a home with Will and his father, Charles. He lived there for many years, learning and developing. He needed them and they needed him, especially Charles. Charles deeply loved Cesar. Secondly, broken and dysfunctional relationships can cause us to do crazy things. How often have people done things that otherwise would be considered crazy because of relationships that go awry? Cesar prefers to lock himself in his prison rather than experience the freedom that comes with Will all because he was offended by Will. Finally, we crave and need acceptance into a "family." Cesar struggled with being different than Charles and Will. They loved him, yes, but he couldn't get past that he wasn't quite like them. Oddly enough, Will found that connection in the prison, his cage, with his fellow chimpanzees.
Well, I thought I was just going to be watching a weird, sci-fi movie with little character engagement. Rise of the Planet of the Apes won't win any awards, I can guarantee that, but we can learn a lot from a chimp and his need for relationships. Right?
This was not my favorite movie of the year by any stretch of the imagination, but it did say something about the importance of relationships and the results of dysfunctional relationships. Cesar is the main, genetically-enhanced chimp who becomes the Leader of the Apes. Two scenes involving Cesar offer great insights into the truth of relationships. The first scene depicts the Alzheimer's victim Charles, the father of Will, who together have raised Cesar, having an Alzheimer's outbreak. He thinks that he can still drive a car, which he cannot. He gets into his neighbors car, which was conveniently left running and driver's door open. Quickly a fight breaks out between the owner of the car and the confused Charles. Cesar sees the fight breaking out and is visibly agitated by the neighbors verbal and physical (albeit light) assault on Charles. Instantly, Cesar full out attacks the neighbor. He tackles him, punches him several times and eventually bites off his finger (kinda gross), until he hears his name, "Cesar!" from Charles. That is all it took for the 5 year old chimp to realize what he has done and to come lay his head upon the still confused and shocked Charles. Cesar protected Charles with everythign he had.
Another scene that really seems to bring light to the idea of relationships happens later in the movie. Due to the previous incident with Charles, Cesar is put in a facility where he is caged. Will after the death of his father is so moved to get Cesar out of the facility that he tries to payoff the keeper of the facility to let Cesar out. The keeper agrees (and takes the money), but Cesar does not agree. He is so offended by being placed in the facility and abandoned by Will that instead of being free with Will he would rather be locked and caged with his own people in the facility. He locks himself back into his cage! Pretty crazy! This is a sad moment where Will is greatly disappointed and saddened by Cesar's gesture. Even more than that, when Will leaves the rest of the Apes begin to affirm Cesar's devotion to the "tribe" by hooting and hollering.
So, what do these two scenes depict about human relationships? First, we need them. Cesar found a home with Will and his father, Charles. He lived there for many years, learning and developing. He needed them and they needed him, especially Charles. Charles deeply loved Cesar. Secondly, broken and dysfunctional relationships can cause us to do crazy things. How often have people done things that otherwise would be considered crazy because of relationships that go awry? Cesar prefers to lock himself in his prison rather than experience the freedom that comes with Will all because he was offended by Will. Finally, we crave and need acceptance into a "family." Cesar struggled with being different than Charles and Will. They loved him, yes, but he couldn't get past that he wasn't quite like them. Oddly enough, Will found that connection in the prison, his cage, with his fellow chimpanzees.
Well, I thought I was just going to be watching a weird, sci-fi movie with little character engagement. Rise of the Planet of the Apes won't win any awards, I can guarantee that, but we can learn a lot from a chimp and his need for relationships. Right?
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