Rise of the Planet of the Apes (2011)

In present-day San Francisco, pharmaceutical chemist William Rodman is testing the viral-based drug ALZ-112 on chimpanzees at the biotech company Gen-Sys to find a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. ALZ-112 is given to a chimp named Bright Eyes, greatly increasing her intelligence. However, during Will’s presentation for the drug, Bright Eyes is forced from her cage, goes on a rampage and is shot to death. Will’s boss Steven Jacobs terminates the project and has the chimps euthanized. However, Will’s assistant Robert Franklin discovers that the reason for Bright Eyes’ rampage was that she had recently given birth to an infant chimp.

Will reluctantly takes in the chimp, eventually giving him the name “Caesar”. Discovering that Caesar has inherited his mother’s intelligence through being exposed to ALZ-112 in her womb, Will decides to raise him. Three years later, Caesar has become a highly intelligent animal and can play games, draw pictures, and communicate with Will through sign language. Will introduces Caesar to the redwood forest at Muir Woods National Monument so he can roam. Meanwhile, Will treats his dementia-suffering father Charles with ALZ-112, which seems to restore his cognitive ability.