The acclaimed finale to the (first) Planet of the Apes reboot trilogy is out now on digital download, however 20th Century FOX provided us with an advanced copy of the 4K/Blu-Ray combo set, our review for the theatrical cut of the film can be read here. In the epic end game to FOX’s new Planet of the Apes trilogy, Caesar faces off against the mad man known only as the Colonial in a war for Apes against humans that he doesn’t want. Caesar must find a way to keep his kind and his own soul safe from the brink of extinction.

War For the Planet of the Apes is a 2017 drama, science fiction film, it is produced by Chernin Entertainment, and distributed by 20th Century FOX. It is currently available on Digital HD and releases on 4K, Blu-Ray, and DVD October 24, 2017.

Editor’s Note: An advanced copy of War For the Planet of the Apes on 4K combo was provided by 20th Century FOX. 

Caesar stares death in the eye with no fear for the sake of his fellow Apes.

Considering this is a home media release of a film I’ve already seen, I won’t dive too deep into its contents as far as the actual film goes as that’s all been taken care of in our review of the original cut. However, for those who were holding out on the home release, I can honestly say that this is by far one of the greatest conclusions to a set of films you’ll ever bear witness to.

Nova (upper left) is the light that keeps the dark tunnel surrounding Caesar’s soul at bay.

THE GOOD: War For the Planet of the Apes, though not the big war themed blockbuster it was marketed as, is instead an epic tale of humanity and mercy throughout the horrors of a clash of species. As the film progresses Caesar truly struggles to keep his soul intact with the teachings he learned from his adoptive father William Rodman so many years ago. However, this becomes increasingly difficult as an unmovable Colonial continually forces Caesar’s hand with threat to his species and bringing about a fight he’s done all he can to avoid. A human child character known as Nova who was affected by the Simian flu is used as a brilliant plot device to keep Caesar in check after she’s adopted by one of his most trusted followers Maurice. Things are further complicated for Caesar once it’s learned that a follower of former comrade Koba has been aiding the Colonial and his men in Caesar’s defeat.

An aged yet experience Caesar begins to feel the tolls of an unwanted war through visions and breaks of sanity.

THE BAD: There’s a secondary faction involved within Colonial’s war introduced much later in the film as enemies, but they aren’t really fleshed out, it would have been appreciated more if they got added development, but for the most part they kind of just feel there.

Treachery of the worst kind is present in ‘War’.

OVERALL THOUGHTS: Whether in theaters or on disc, War For the Planet of the Apes is an epic conclusion to an even more epic trilogy to a beloved franchise. A film full of heart, drama, and development though the war being presented is mostly an after thought once you get into the meat of it all. Otaku Dome gives War For the Planet of the Apes 4K Combo a 97 out of 100.