Save the Cat rankings

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES script analysis

DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES script - Save the Cat beat sheet analysis

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes follows Caesar’s efforts to maintain peace between apes and humans amid growing tensions. As both sides collaborate to restore power, a rogue ape leader, Koba, exploits fear to incite war. Betrayal leads Caesar to confront the consequences of his alliance and ultimately fight to preserve his tribe’s future.

75 Save the Cat fit score 77% analysis confidence / 44 parsed scenes

Save the Cat is referenced as a story-analysis framework. SlugDB is not affiliated with Save the Cat or its rights holders.

1

Opening Image

Scene 1 / 1% target

80%

Caesar hunts elk with his troop, establishing the new ape society’s harmony and strength.

2

Theme Stated

Scene 2 / 5% target

85%

Ape elder warns, “You must learn to think before you act,” foreshadowing the cost of impulsive violence.

You must learn to think before you act.
3

Set-Up

Scenes 1-3 / 10% target

75%

We meet Caesar’s community, celebrate his child’s birth, and see his cautious reflections on humanity.

4

Catalyst

Scene 6 / 12% target

80%

Humans shoot River and Ash, shattering the fragile peace and setting conflict in motion.

5

Debate

Scenes 7-10 / 20% target

70%

Caesar debates confronting humans directly as the colony panics and Malcolm argues for cooperation.

6

Break into Two

Scene 11 / 25% target

80%

Caesar breaches the boundary to warn humans, officially entering the “other world” of human negotiation.

Apes...do not... want war.
7

B Story

Scene 25 / 30% target

75%

Ellie and Alexander’s tender exchange introduces the emotional human subplot about family and trust.

I didn’t know you had a daughter...
8

Fun and Games

Scenes 14-17 / 40% target

70%

Malcolm leads humans through the woods to fix the dam, showcasing collaboration and mutual respect.

9

Midpoint

Scene 17 / 50% target

80%

Malcolm explains the dam’s purpose, marking a hopeful victory for both sides.

10

Bad Guys Close In

Scenes 22-23 / 65% target

80%

Koba discovers a gun and infiltrates the weapons storehouse, gathering forces secretly.

11

All Is Lost

Scene 30 / 75% target

85%

Koba openly confronts Caesar, demanding ape supremacy and threatening the fragile alliance.

You make us... serve humans?! They... should serve APES!
12

Dark Night of the Soul

Scenes 31-32 / 80% target

75%

After the ape army stampedes and Caesar is injured, hope seems lost as war looms.

13

Break into Three

Scene 36 / 85% target

80%

Caesar learns of Koba’s betrayal and rallies with Malcolm to devise a final plan.

No. Not humans... Koba.
14

Finale

Scene 39 / 95% target

85%

Caesar and Koba duel atop the skyscraper girders, resolving the central conflict.

You... are not... ape.
15

Final Image

Scene 41 / 99% target

80%

Apes cross the Golden Gate Bridge into a new era, mirroring the hunt’s opening mass but with a hopeful future.

San Francisco, we are responding to your communications and are en route to you now. Please acknowledge...