<P> War for the Planet of the Apes is a 2017 American science fiction film directed by Matt Reeves and written by Mark Bomback and Reeves . A sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011) and Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014), it is the third installment in the Planet of the Apes reboot series . The film stars Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson and Steve Zahn, and follows a confrontation between the apes, led by Caesar, and the humans for control of Earth . Like its predecessor, its premise shares several similarities to the fifth film in the original series, Battle for the Planet of the Apes, but it is not a direct remake . </P> <P> Principal photography began on October 14, 2015, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada . War for the Planet of the Apes premiered in New York City on July 10, 2017, and was theatrically released in the United States on July 14, 2017, by 20th Century Fox . The film has grossed over $490 million and received critical praise, with many reviewers highlighting the performances (particularly Serkis), visual effects, story, direction, and musical score . The film received a nomination for Best Special Visual Effects at the 71st British Academy Film Awards, and was also nominated for Best Visual Effects at the 90th Academy Awards . It was also nominated for four Saturn Awards, including Best Director for Reeves and Best Actor for Serkis . </P> <P> Two years have passed since the human - hating bonobo Koba attacked the human survivors in San Francisco . Since then, Caesar and his tribe of intelligent apes have been forced against a rogue U.S. military faction known as Alpha - Omega . Led by a ruthless Colonel, Alpha - Omega employs many apes formerly loyal to Koba, derogatorily called "donkeys". </P> <P> An Alpha - Omega platoon launches an attack on an ape outpost, but it fails and four soldiers, including one named Preacher, and a "donkey" gorilla named Red are captured . Caesar releases the soldiers, hoping the display of mercy will show the Colonel that the apes are not savages; Red escapes by injuring the albino gorilla Winter . Later, Caesar's eldest son Blue Eyes and lieutenant Rocket return from a long journey . Blue Eyes reports that they found a place across the desert that is ideal for the apes . Despite an uneasy Winter asserting that the apes should leave immediately, Caesar decides they need to prepare first . That night, the Colonel leads a team of soldiers in infiltrating the apes' home, where he kills Blue Eyes and Caesar's wife Cornelia . Upon discovering this, Caesar attempts to prevent the Colonel's escape but fails . Afterwards, the apes are unable to find Winter, who they believe betrayed them out of fear . </P>

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