Monkey magic

Simian series starts again

Photos courtesy of Twentieth Century Fox

In the new science fiction film Rise of the Planet of the Apes, the classic Planet of the Apes series gets a new beginning for the third time in cinema history.

Will Rodman (James Franco) is a scientist committed to finding a cure for Alzheimer's disease. He creates a promising new drug known as ALZ-112, however his tests of the drug on apes are considered a failure by the company funding the research.

With the termination of his research, Will finds himself having to look after a baby chimpanzee named Caesar, recently born to one of his test subjects.

Due to exposure to ALZ-112 while in the womb, Caesar displays intelligence and behaviour unusual for an ape. Will acquires more of the drug and starts to administer it to the young chimp, who soon develops incredible cognitive skills and intellect.

Caesar eventually develops the skill and intelligence to escape. He then begins to rally support from other apes, leading to a war with humans and a revolution that could drastically change the world forever.

Catch the drama and suspense when Rise of the Planet of the Apes hits cinemas on August 4.