Rise of the Planet of the Apes

"Thanks to stunning advances in performance capture technology, director Rupert Wyatt successfully ditches the cumbersome makeup appliances of past chapters, building the story around a cast of photoreal CG simians convincing enough to identify with as characters, rather than just special effects."

"With simulated simians authentic enough to make Project Nim look almost phoney, allied to an involving, evolving story, Rise is the Planet we’ve been waiting for."

"It's good, canny-dumb fun."

"The movie has its pleasures, although human intelligence is not one of them. Caesar, to begin with, is a wonderfully executed character, a product of special effects and a motion-capture performance by Andy Serkis, who earlier gave us Gollum in "Lord of the Rings.""

"Smart, fun and thoroughly enjoyable, it's a diversion that entertains without insulting your intelligence."

"Surprisingly smart sixth sequel."

"Smart, fun and thoroughly enjoyable, it's a model summer diversion that entertains without insulting your intelligence."

"Strong action, special effects and by far the most credible ape "performances" yet seen will spell box office to inspire chest-thumping in all markets."

"A worthy, exciting, emotional addition to the venerable monkey movie marathon. Apes will rise. Sequels are likely."

"But after its commendably brief 105 minutes, I was impressed. The performances are committed, the special effects - especially Andy Serkis' work in the suit - are terrific, and the big money set-pieces are spectacular."

"Wyatt brings a light touch to the potentially grim material - too light when it drops in some groan-inducing references to the original film - but he keeps the action compelling whether focusing on apes as they run amok or as they quietly contemplate their next move."