Rise of the Planet of the Apes

The 2011 American science fiction action film directed by Rupert Wyatt, with a screenplay by Rick Jaffa and Amanda Silver, serves as a reboot of the "Planet of the Apes" franchise and the first installment in the new trilogy. Set in San Francisco, the story follows scientist Will Rodman (James Franco), who develops an experimental drug, ALZ-112, aimed at curing Alzheimer's disease, testing it on chimpanzees. One test subject, Bright Eyes, exhibits increased intelligence but is euthanized after an incident, leaving behind a newborn chimp. Will adopts the orphaned chimp, naming him Caesar (Andy Serkis), who quickly demonstrates advanced cognitive abilities. Raised in Will's home alongside his father Charles (John Lithgow), who suffers from dementia, and Will's girlfriend, veterinarian Caroline (Freida Pinto), Caesar experiences a nurturing environment. However, after an altercation with a neighbor, Caesar is placed in a primate shelter run by the cruel John Landon (Brian Cox) and his son Dodge (Tom Felton). Within the facility, Caesar endures mistreatment but forms bonds with fellow apes, including the orangutan Maurice and the gorilla Buck. Utilizing the stolen ALZ-113 drug, Caesar enhances the intelligence of his fellow apes and orchestrates a breakout, leading to a large-scale uprising in San Francisco. The film delves into themes of scientific ethics, intelligence, and freedom, receiving critical acclaim for its visual effects, direction, and particularly Andy Serkis's performance as Caesar. It grossed over $481 million worldwide and initiated a successful trilogy.​