After a stellar reboot with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, I thought that swapping directors out and going with a lighter cast meant this was just going to be a cash-grab. I’m so glad I was wrong because this is one of the most complete action pictures of the year. Most will cite the stunning CGI – it is amazing – but it was the tight plot and forward momentum that got me. Jason Clarke anchors the film from the human point-of-view, and he does a great job (slowly becoming one of my favorite working actors), but this film belongs to Andy Serkis and his beautiful creation, Caesar. Everything is on point in a sequel that straight-up bested its predecessor on every conceivable level.