The film was highly acclaimed for its technical mastery and emotional weight:
: The film draws heavy inspiration from classic war cinema, particularly Apocalypse Now . The Colonel’s descent into madness and the graffiti "Ape-pocalypse Now" found in the film make this connection explicit.
: Unlike its title suggests, the most significant "war" is Caesar’s struggle with his own darker instincts. After suffering devastating personal losses, Caesar shifts from a diplomat seeking peace to a vengeful warrior, mirroring the very hatred he once fought against in Koba.