I enjoyed a lot of things about this film. There were lots of films made since the original Planet of the Apes ('68, directed by Franklin J Schaffner, before he won the Oscar for Patton). I never saw any of the others. "Rise of the Planet of the Apes" has little to do with the others, though it could be considered a prequel. James Franco is likeable, always, and the rest of the cast is in tune with the proceedings. John Lithgow is especially endearing, and Andy Serkis proves, once again, that he's the best "artificial" actor around. A commendable performance.I admire the film for outstanding visual effects, and some brilliant photography featuring vistas of San Francisco (and Redwood NP) that are breathtaking. Muted colors and close-ups are stunning.Worth a look, but it's hard to say that it would be appreciated as much without seeing Schaffner's original, a true ground-breaker in American film.