It’s been 13 years since we were first introduced to Ceasar and seven years since his third and final film in the modern Planet of the Apes franchise. Now, we’re getting a return to the universe, albeit it in a new time period and with a completely new set of characters. So, is it a welcome return?

This new film picks up with the funeral for Ceasar, the Ape leader who sacrificed himself for his people. Quickly, we’re transported several generations into the future. Humans are nearly extinct and Apes, in factions, dominate the planet. But they aren’t united as had been the dream of Ceasar. In fact, some have traded on and weaponized that dream, while others seek to keep his legacy alive.

We meet Noa (Owen Teague), who is part of a clan that lives in peace, connecting with Eagles. Quickly, they’re attacked by a warring tribe that has some new technology. Noa survives, but his clan is taken. He decides to hit the road to win them back.

Along the way he meets Raka (Peter Macon), who is a true follower of Ceasar. He teaches Noa some of the lost history of the world and helps him to better understand humans. That comes in handy as they cross paths with Mae (Freya Allen), a human who is alone and being hunted by the same tribe that took Noa’s friends and family.

As both Noa and Mae are taken, they cross paths with Proximus Ceasar (Kevin Durand), a brutal leader who believes a secret human vault contains the keys to him dominating the planet. Can Noa and Mae come together and turn the tide, possibly saving both their people.

I haven’t loved the modern Planet of the Apes franchise. I was somewhat taken with Rise of the Planet of the Apes, but the lack of continuity among characters often made the first three films feel disconnected. I appreciated Andy Serkis and his work as Ceasar, but I didn’t feel connected to the larger world.

From that standpoint, the new film succeeds by clearing the table. It also does a nice job of building characters in Noa and Mae, among others, that you can connect with and invest in. I liked the visual flourishes as well, including the nods to the original franchise in some of the sets surrounding Proximus Ceasar’s kingdom.

The story works well here and sets the stage, possibly, for a series of new films that could widen the world. I hope if that’s the case we see a return to these characters and the story threads beginning in this film.

The visuals here are strong and director Wes Ball puts together a nice and engaging film. It’s the longest of the Apes films, and it feels long at some points, but mostly it’s satisfying and keeps the action moving. During the summer season we’re looking for engaging blockbusters, and this one mostly delivers. It’s worth seeing on the big screen.

Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes is now playing nationwide.

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.