"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" is a 2011 science fiction film directed by Rupert Wyatt. It serves as a reboot of the "Planet of the Apes" film series and is a prequel to the original 1968 film. The movie explores the origins of how intelligent apes came to dominate the Earth.
The film stars James Franco as Dr. Will Rodman, a scientist working on a cure for Alzheimer's disease. The primary focus of his research is a chimpanzee named Caesar, played through motion-capture by Andy Serkis. Through a series of events, Caesar becomes highly intelligent and leads a revolution of genetically enhanced apes against their human oppressors.
"Rise of the Planet of the Apes" received critical acclaim for its compelling storytelling, visual effects, and Andy Serkis's performance as Caesar. The film successfully revitalized the "Planet of the Apes" franchise, leading to two successful sequels: "Dawn of the Planet of the Apes" (2014) and "War for the Planet of the Apes" (2017). The trilogy is praised for its emotional depth, character development, and its exploration of themes such as intelligence, ethics, and the consequences of scientific experimentation.