DOUBLE FEATURE REC: TEXAS VS. CGI

"War for the Planet of the Apes" (2017) & "Reign of Fire" (2002)

By Nate Lemann

Matthew McConaughey in "Reign of Fire" & Woody Harrelson in "War for the Planet of the Apes"

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Real life best friends McConaughey and Harrelson in these two films each respectively play crazed army commanders of a cult-like military outfit in a decimated future wasteland that must do battle against an army of CGI creatures (Dragons and Apes, respectively) for the fate of mankind.

"Apes" is a far more accomplished and celebrated film but don't sleep on "Reign of Fire": Aside for an ahead of its time McConaughey performance (you can see the early seeds of Rust Cole in this role), the cast also includes pre-fame Christian Bale and Gerard Butler, both showing why they will eventually become stars in their own right. Its a tactile and gritty fantasy/sci-fi thriller that is well worth a watch.