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*Disclaimer! This review contains spoilers towards the end. Proceed with caution*

War for the Planet of the Apes is the third movie in the new Apes trilogy. It is the continued story of an ape named Caesar who, after being spurned by human attacks, goes on a mission to hunt down the responsible party. He makes some new friends along the way as they traverse this post-apocalyptic world. Caesar is tested throughout his journey as he leads his people through the ape war with the humans in search of peace and freedom.

As usual, the motion capture work done in these films is fantastic. I feel this way whenever a new one comes out, but the apes truly feel real. The facial animations that result from the motion capture are very human and thus make the apes seem more intelligent, which is exactly what is intended. The CGI on the apes especially is done in a way that looks and feels real rather than coming across as cartoonish and over-the-top, something that many modern films struggle to do. Andy Serkis once again shows off his mastery of the craft in his movements and speech patterns as Caesar.

A big element of War for the Planet of the Apes that, from conversations had post film, is bound to be controversial is the manner of story-telling. I personally love the fact that director Matt Reeves managed to tell a completely comprehendible story with very little dialogue. The vast majority of the movie is either subtitled or just grunts from the various characters. Even then, there really weren’t that many subtitles. Caesar, the colonel, and a few other humans regularly talk (as well as a few barely-English lines from the various apes) but that’s it.

I personally didn’t think there even needed to be that much dialogue due to how good the cinematography was. Most of what you needed to know was shown to you rather than told to you. The way the camera focused on certain objects, the way the actors emoted to each other, etc. all accomplished this and still managed to be believable and understandable. This is very surprising considering how dialogue-heavy the last two Planet of the Apes films were, but considering this was a war film, it made sense.

*Spoilers start here*

There were several scenes of exposition dumps that completely countered the wonderful visual story-telling. Granted, they helped to explain some of the more confusing plot points, but I’m sure they could have found more visual ways to explain some of it. There’s one scene in particular between Caesar and the colonel that is literally 10 minutes of exposition dumping. It cleared up quite a bit about why certain humans were losing their ability to speak, why the Colonel is the way he is, and so on. However, there’s a scene later in the movie that further visually explains the colonel’s backstory and they could’ve easily done the same for the non-speaking humans. It made this particular exposition scene a lot worse in hindsight and hindered the otherwise fantastic world-building of the film.

One other major issue with the story-telling is that it relies way too heavily on Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Yes, War is a direct sequel to Dawn, but it didn’t follow the story-telling precedent that this trilogy seemed to want to set. That precedent being that each individual film stands on its own, thus not relying too much on the story of the past. Of course, sequels need to reference past events otherwise, why even bother keeping them in the same story universe? However, every time Koba showed up in one of Caesar’s fever dreams, it just took me out of the movie. War for the Planet of the Apes also seems to struggle to decide whether it wants to be a sequel or its own thing. We consistently have scenes like this, and exposition scenes about the past, but, like with the last two films, the majority of characters are new ones with no relation to the previous cast.

Overall, War for the Planet of the Apes was a great movie. It told an excellent story and, for the most part, managed to tell it well. It didn’t manage to detach itself very well from Rise or Dawn of the Planet of the Apes and, as such, it isn’t as good as those two films. That being said, I still highly recommend you go see it because it is still a good time at the movies.

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I spend most of my days working towards my Writing and Rhetoric degree at the University of Central Florida, but I spend a lot of my down time keeping up to date on the best TV, movies, and video games the industry has to offer. Here I put all of that extended time to use discussing each of them in-depth.

Gaming

The cast of the Sonic the Hedgehog 3 film has added an exciting new addition with the inclusion of Shadow, who will be voiced by the talented Keanu Reeves

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After a long wait, it appears that the search for a capable Hollywood actor to bring the brooding Shadow the Hedgehog to life has come to an end. Keanu Reeves, a renowned actor known for his iconic roles in film franchises such as The Matrix and John Wick, as well as his involvement in the highly anticipated game Cyberpunk 2077, has officially been cast for the role.

Speculation has been running wild lately, but The Hollywood Reporter has officially confirmed the casting, citing reliable sources in the know. News of Sonic the Hedgehog 3 being showcased at Cinemacon has quickly spread. Reeves is sure to bring his own special touch to the role, but it’s uncertain how well he will mesh with the mustachioed Dr. Robotnik, as Jim Carrey is set to reprise the character.

What are your thoughts on Keanu Reeves being cast as Shadow the Hedgehog in Sonic the Hedgehog 3? Please avoid sharing fan art in the comments section below.

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Gaming

Fallout – RPG Series Continues to Impress on the Small Screen

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Television series that draw inspiration from video games have now reached a commendable level of quality. As a result, the anticipation surrounding Fallout’s adaptation is greater than it would have been in the past. HBO and PlayStation Productions demonstrated the potential for success when adapting a game into a film with The Last of Us. They then continued their winning streak with a more lighthearted Twisted Metal adaptation.

In the ever-expanding realm of TV and film adaptations, Amazon Prime is now bringing us Fallout, a brand new story set in the post-apocalyptic universe of Bethesda’s beloved RPG series. This film transports the audience to Los Angeles, where the wasteland proves to be a tragic setting, both underground and on the irradiated surface. It successfully captures the action, story-telling, deep cast of characters, and twisted humor that the games are known for. Amazon Prime breathes new life into the beloved Fallout franchise with a series that will surely make fans proud.

The inaugural season consists of eight episodes, each running between 45 minutes and one hour. The story unfolds through the eyes of three distinct characters who swiftly find themselves entangled in each other’s endeavors. Lucy, the undeniable focal point of the story, embarks on a relentless quest through the desolate wasteland in pursuit of her abducted father, who was snatched away from their sanctuary in Vault 33. Maximus is a member of the Brotherhood of Steel, while The Ghoul is a resurrected bounty hunter with a captivating and enigmatic history.

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The connection between the three characters revolves around a reward offered for capturing an escaped Enclave scientist. However, this is just the beginning of a captivating and suspenseful story. Lucy’s choice to venture out of the secure Vault 33 is just one piece of a larger narrative that stretches back to the time before the devastating bombings. At this point, Fallout truly showcases its potential and fearlessly pushes the boundaries of the franchise, surpassing any of Bethesda’s previous games. The results are absolutely captivating.

What’s truly remarkable is that even after Lucy leaves the vault, the captivating narrative beneath the surface continues to unfold. The events that unfold in Vault 33 after her departure are truly captivating, adding a layer of intrigue to the entire series. The aftermath of these events brings about shocking revelations that have a profound impact on the lives of its residents. With the inclusion of frequent flashback scenes, viewers are provided with a comprehensive understanding of how the passage of time has influenced the transformation of Los Angeles from a thriving city to a desolate wasteland.

They are arguably the weakest aspect of the show. The abundance of dialogue in each scene can become tedious at times. However, these scenes play a crucial role in providing a comprehensive understanding of Vault-Tec and its nefarious intentions for the City of Angels and beyond.

Lucy starts off with a relatively modest plot. Stepping out of Vault 33, she brings her cheerful demeanor into the unforgiving world of the Los Angeles wasteland, maintaining an optimistic perspective in every circumstance. Maximus, however, is well acquainted with the harsh realities of the desert-like badlands. Constantly tormented within the ranks of the Brotherhood of Steel, his once unwavering devotion and loyalty to the clan have been severely shaken. The Ghoul truly brings the Bloody Mess perk to life during shootouts, creating a captivating spectacle. Additionally, his character arc is truly fascinating, especially when his guns remain untouched in their holsters. We won’t reveal too much about his story to avoid spoiling it, allowing the show to speak for itself.

The ensemble of supporting characters, combined with the performances of the three leads, effectively portray the post-apocalyptic world from various angles. Lucy, as the newcomer, brings a fresh perspective, while The Ghoul, a seasoned veteran, adds a gritty and experienced presence. The audience is granted a brief glimpse into the characters’ challenges and hardships before the main mission takes center stage, cleverly establishing the setting through well-crafted vignettes.

The Los Angeles wasteland is portrayed as a character in its own right, with a focus on the conversational aspects of the Fallout IP rather than the action-packed elements. This adaptation places a strong emphasis on its characters, delighting in its skillful portrayal of the games’ multiple-choice dialogue system in a non-interactive format. Lucy and Maximus, in their own unique ways, choose to resolve conflicts through dialogue rather than violence. However, The Ghoul takes a different approach, favoring a more aggressive resolution. When he’s unleashed upon a gang of raiders, the pace intensifies, resulting in gripping and enjoyable confrontations.

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This product truly captures the essence of the Fallout universe while also forging its own unique path instead of relying on Fallout 4. Mentions of the games are few and far between, with in-world items such as stimpaks and radaways being some of the most common nostalgic nods. It succeeds admirably as a self-contained story that almost everyone can enjoy despite the absence of recognizable actors or settings. Those who stumble upon the show while browsing through Amazon Prime may find themselves facing some challenges, especially if they are new to the series. The TV series is enjoyable on its own, but it assumes that viewers have a basic understanding of the Fallout universe, including the vaults and the wasteland. If Mom and Dad decide to give the show a chance with their Saturday night takeaway, they might find themselves a bit overwhelmed.

Fallout is yet another standout addition to the ever-growing list of exceptional video game adaptations in recent times. The game successfully captures the essence of the series, paving the way for new possibilities beyond traditional gameplay. It manages to recreate the familiar atmosphere and even revive the nostalgic tunes that have been long forgotten. If Fallout is the aftermath, then perhaps the LA wasteland isn’t as dreadful as it seems. This adaptation of Bethesda’s RPG series, Fallout, is truly exceptional. It presents a captivating story that easily rivals the plots of its video game counterparts. This is a must-see for all fans of the series.

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Geek Culture

The video teaser for Fallout Prime showcases a vault dweller who undergoes wasteland justice

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Recently, we had the opportunity to witness Amazon’s remarkable rendition of the renowned WRPG series Fallout. Assuming that the initial observation failed to sufficiently stimulate your atomic curiosity,. Therefore, we have an additional video showcasing our main characters in action: Lucy, who resides in a vault (Ella Purnell), The Ghoul (Walton Goggins), and Maximus, a squire from the Brotherhood of Steel (Aaron Clifton Moten).

The group interaction is briefly observed in the two-minute film. Fortunately, for those who appreciate the trajectory of the television series, there is not a significant delay until the complete season becomes available. Commencing on April 11th, all episodes will be accessible on Prime Video, and we will be eagerly anticipating the arrival of the days.

Another noteworthy development in Fallout is the resurgence of a highly absurd modification in Fallout: New Vegas, which enables players to enlist Limp Bizkit frontman Fred Durst as a buddy. In light of recent developments, it is evident that the future prospects of the ongoing multiplayer experiment Fallout 76 are promising, given the substantial participation of over 17 million players since its first release.
What is your opinion on Amazon’s approach to Fallout? Do you plan to examine it in April? Please provide your feedback in the comments area here.

 

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