War for the Planet of the Apes Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray presentation of "War for the Planet of the Apes" delivers an AVC encoded 1080p transfer in the 2.40:1 aspect ratio that stands as a visual marvel. The digital film, captured with Arri 65s and finished at a 2K DI, is nothing short of stunning. The snowy winter scenes contrast magnificently with the grim, detailed military compounds. Each snowflake glistens atop the meticulously rendered CGI fur of the apes, and the grayscale, melancholic ambiance enhances the film’s somber mood. The grain and imperfections in scenery, from metal beams to earth-stained elements, are impeccably presented without compression anomalies. A slight blue grading adds an additional layer of emotional depth to the presentation.

Detail precision is particularly laudable in this release. Facial complexions on both human and CG ape characters reveal every minor blemish and hair strand, while environments such as Caesar's hideout or the Colonel's base show clear signs of wear and tear, contributing significantly to the film's immersive atmosphere. The high contrast offers brilliant, eye-popping whites, particularly evident in the unblemished snow landscapes, and deep, inky blacks, which enrich the sense of three-dimensional depth. This is evident even in low-lit and shadow-drenched scenes, where details remain crisp and intact. The color palette, albeit stylistically muted to reflect the often gloomy tone of the film, still manages to inject vibrant primaries and exude warmth during sequences involving fire or sunset skies. Overall, this Blu-ray is a reference-quality encoding that does profound justice to the visual storytelling of "War for the Planet of the Apes."

The DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track on the Blu-ray of "War for the Planet of the Apes" delivers a compelling auditory experience that immerses the listener in the film's intense atmosphere. From the opening scrawl to the final confrontation, the sound design features rich diversity and immersive detail. Deep impactful low-frequency effects (LFE) enhance battle scenes with forceful bass that emphasizes gunshots and explosions. The surround channels are frequently active with nuanced ambient noises such as forest rustling, screeching apes, and atmospheric elements like arrows flying overhead and distant war cries. Dialogue is impeccably clear and precise, positioned firmly in the center, maintaining clarity even amidst the chaos.

The soundstage presents an engaging balance between a sci-fi drama and a war epic. Even in quieter moments, there is a sophisticated attention to environmental sounds that keep the scenes alive. Michael Giacchino's score benefits immensely from the high fidelity and wide dynamic range of the audio track, offering warmth, exceptional separation, and fluid movement across the fronts. The surrounds provide discrete sounds of debris, military charges, and off-screen movements during action sequences. The integration of these elements results in a highly dynamic and highly engaging listening experience.

Additionally, the soundtrack includes meticulous use of environmental atmospherics, such as rustling trees and helicopter assaults. While the movie exhibits predominantly front-heavy action, the occasional employment of overhead effects enriches the soundfield expansively. The precision in dialogue reproduction ensures that even emotionally charged conversations are clearly intelligible. This DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 track stands out for its nuanced sound design, powerful bass, and clean dialogue reproduction, making it a nearly demo-worthy example of high-quality audio presentation in home entertainment.

The extras accompanying the Blu-ray of "War for the Planet of the Apes" deliver a comprehensive and engaging exploration into the film’s creation. Enthusiasts will appreciate the Deleted Scenes featuring optional commentary by Director Matt Reeves, offering insightful glimpses into character development and unused narrative threads. Key features include a detailed making-of documentary, "Waging War for the Planet of the Apes," which includes cast and crew interviews, and various featurettes that dive deep into character focus, particularly Caesar, CGI advancements by WETA, Michael Giacchino's musical contributions, and the historical impact of the Apes series. The conceptual development is also well-represented through an extensive Concept Art Gallery. Everything is presented in high-definition quality, amplifying the viewer's immersive experience.

Extras included in this disc:

• Deleted Scenes with Optional Audio Commentary by Matt Reeves: Various unused sequences.
• Waging War for the Planet of the Apes: Documentary on making the film.
• All About Caesar: Focus on character development and motion capture.
• WETA: Pushing Boundaries: Breakdown of special effects.
• Music for Apes: Recording the score with Michael Giacchino.
• Apes: The Meaning of it All: Overview of the franchise’s impact.
• The Apes Saga: An Homage: Look back at earlier films' influence.
• Concept Art Gallery: Detailed visual development elements.
• Audio Commentary by Matt Reeves

War for the Planet of the Apes masterfully concludes the reboot trilogy with a gritty, character-driven narrative that explores themes of vengeance, redemption, and survival. Set fifteen years after the virus outbreak and five years since Koba's betrayal, the film presents an intense showdown between Caesar (Andy Serkis) and the relentless Colonel (Woody Harrelson). Caesar, who is driven by grief and vengeance after losing his wife and son, embarks on a personal mission to confront the Colonel, despite the overwhelming odds against him. The film's tone is darker and more brutal than its predecessors, with a poignant exploration of the “humanity” within both apes and humans, drawing parallels with historical and biblical narratives.

Visually stunning, the film leverages Weta Digital's cutting-edge CG work to bring the apes to vivid life, with motion-capture performances further enhancing the realism. Key influences such as Apocalypse Now and The Ten Commandments are evident, particularly in the portrayal of The Colonel as a Kurtz-like figure, leading his troops in a desperate, xenophobic war against the apes. The plot also nods to classic Apes canon, intertwining familiar elements while presenting a fresh narrative perspective dominated by the apes' viewpoint. Despite its somewhat lengthy runtime, War manages to maintain momentum with emotionally charged sequences and elaborate action scenes that heighten the sense of desperation and hope.

War's thematic depth is underscored by Michael Giacchino’s evocative score and Michael Seresin’s compelling cinematography, which captures the bleak, wintry landscape reflecting the film’s dark tone. Alongside Serkis's unparalleled performance as Caesar, Harrelson provides a chilling portrayal of The Colonel, while Steve Zahn’s role as Bad Ape adds necessary moments of levity. Although some narrative elements might feel overly familiar or thematic echoes from previous films, War for the Planet of the Apes solidifies itself as a poignant and epic conclusion to Caesar's saga, marking a memorable chapter in sci-fi cinema.

"War for the Planet of the Apes" delivers a gripping finale to the reboot trilogy, encapsulating the emotional depth and technical mastery that define this series. Directed by Matt Reeves, it explores complex themes of vengeance, hate, and the pursuit of meaningful relationships, depicting Caesar’s final chapter with a resonant and impactful narrative. The film boasts first-rate motion capture and visual effects, setting a new industry benchmark for VFX excellence. While it may feel slightly protracted, this does not detract from the enduring emotional resonance that permeates every scene.

The Blu-ray release offers an exquisite viewing experience. Presented in a 2.39:1 AVC aspect ratio, the video is stunningly clear, capturing every intricate detail of the visual effects with impeccable quality. The DTS-HD MA 7.1 audio track provides an immersive sound experience, pulling viewers into the heart of the cinematic battle. The supplementary package is robust and engaging, offering fans in-depth insights into the making of the film and the broader series.

"War for the Planet of the Apes" makes for a thrilling conclusion to the trilogy started six years ago. While it certainly leaves the series open for advancement into further tales, this wraps up Caesar’s arc in the Ape-verse in a satisfying, and tear-jerking way. It’s dark, brutal, and completely engrossing—a complete blast to watch. The audio and video specs for 20th Century Fox are nothing short of stunning, and the extras are well worth digging into, surpassing expectations for a modern release. Well worth watching.

Technical Specifications:

• Starring: Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, Steve Zahn
• Directed by: Matt Reeves
• Written by: Mark Bomback, Matt Reeves
• Aspect Ratio: 2.39.1 AVC
• Audio: English: DTS-HD MA 7.1, French, Spanish, English DVS DD 5.1
• Studio: 20th Century Fox
• Rated: PG-13
• Runtime: 139 Minutes
• Blu-ray Release Date: October 24th, 2017