Dawn of the Planet of the Apes

"Then there’s what Dawn doesn’t do. Refreshingly, no city-wide destruction; no risk of the world’s end (ok, it already happened); and only one line about saving the human race. Who cares? After Dawn, the humans aren’t even that interesting any more."

"This vivid, violent extension of humanoid ape Caesar’s troubled quest for independence bests its predecessor in nearly every technical and conceptual department."

"Powered by the simmering, expertly sustained tension both between and within the two species."

"It may lack its predecessor’s lofty ambitions, but once the bullets, spears and hairy fists start flying you’ll be too wrapped up to care."

"This sequel delivers on its promise and leaves us wanting more – which we'll almost certainly get."

"In the annals of sequels, Dawn is to Rise of the Planet of the Apes what The Empire Strikes Back was to Star Wars — it’s that much better."

"A superbly mounted, powerfully performed, if slightly underfed Apes sequel."