Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

This prequel to the Planet of the Apes franchise follows Will Rodman, a scientist working on a cure for Alzheimer's disease. His experiments on chimpanzees lead to the birth of Caesar, a highly intelligent ape with enhanced cognitive abilities. As Caesar grows, he begins to question his place in the world, eventually leading an uprising of apes against human oppression. The film explores themes of ethics, animal rights, and the consequences of scientific experimentation, setting the stage for the apes' eventual dominance.