Twice end times and a comeback
The most important cinema highlights in May
In “Planet of the Apes 4” (l.) and “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga” things aren’t going too well for human civilization.
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In May, Hollywood will let humanity suffer a double downfall. But there is also a Rome comeback after almost ten years of absence from the cinema.
In May, civilization collapses twice over. In the fourth part of the “Planet of the Apes” new edition, humanity’s primates have finally lost their place as the dominant species. In “Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga”, the prequel to “Mad Max: Fury Road”, everything is once again dominated by George Miller’s horsepower anarchy. If you’re more interested in heartfelt cinema than apocalypse cinema, you can watch “What Happens Later”. Celebrate a comeback: Meg Ryan’s (62) first film in almost ten years.
“Planet of the Apes 4: New Kingdom,” May 8
Many decades have passed since Caesar’s reign. The monkeys are now the dominant, harmonious species on earth, while humans now only lead a shadowy existence. As a new, tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, a young ape embarks on a harrowing journey that causes him to question everything he knew about the past and make decisions that affect more than just the apes’ future , but also that of people.
Assessment:
The reinterpretation of the sci-fi classic with Charlton Heston (1923-2008) began in 2011 with “Prevolution” and has now reached its fourth part. Combined with its two sequels, the film managed to cleverly illustrate how the apes were able to achieve dominance, which was already presented as the established world order in the 1968 film. In “Planet of the Apes 4: New Kingdom” this status quo has now also been achieved – and humanity has finally been replaced as the ruling race on earth. This makes it the first part of the series that is dramaturgically very similar to the original – too similar?
“What Happens Later,” May 16
“What would have been if?” This variant comes into play just at a time when Willa (Meg Ryan) and Bill (David Duchovny, 63) are faced with difficult personal decisions. When nothing works at the airport and the former college sweethearts can do nothing in the waiting area except talk, harmless banter turns into an evening full of accusations, confessions and the realization that the passion that once brought them together has never really died out. The previously impenetrable walls between Bill and Willa begin to crumble, and it almost seems as if not only the stars but even the public address system are trying to bring them together again.
Assessment:
For three decades, one name was indispensable in Hollywood: Meg Ryan. Romantic cinema in particular couldn’t do without them – from rom-coms like “Harry and Sally” and “Sleepless in Seattle” to the tragically beautiful “City of Angels”. Ryan has hardly been around for 15 years now – her last film, which she also directed for the first time, was in 2015. Now the comeback: She also acts as the leading actress and director in “What Happens Later”. and also co-wrote the script. In the intimate comedy with a mini-cast, she was joined by David “Agent Mulder” Duchovny. The former “X-Files” star has recently appeared more often in the dream factory, but the film could also represent a new beginning for him.
“Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga,” May 23
When the world ends, the young Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy, 28) is kidnapped from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a large biker horde led by the warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth, 40). As they wander through the wasteland, they come across the citadel, which is ruled by Immortan Joe. As the two tyrants battle for dominance, Furiosa must endure many trials as she marshals the means to find her way home.
Assessment:
“Mad Max: Fury Road” was the winner at the 2016 Academy Awards – the brutal tour de force won six Oscars. However, the show was stolen from the title character, played by the mostly growling Tom Hardy (46). Charlize Theron (48) played the one-armed PS Amazon Furiosa so befitting the name that her own spin-off became virtually unavoidable. It is a prequel and instead of Theron, “Damengambit” star Anya Taylor-Joy now embodies the character. Even in the short trailers it becomes clear that she does it with the same intensity as her older colleague. Also new is Marvel hero Chris Hemsworth, who can exceptionally show his diabolical side as the villain Dementus.