Will Rodman (James Franco) is working on a cure for Alzheimer's by performing tests on apes. The first test subject is Caesar; it genetically modifies his way of thinking to create a new breed of ape with human-like intelligence. Caesar learns well, but human authority continues to test him and contain him. He eventually proves smart enough to break free from his cage and release the cure among other apes, affecting other apes like Caesar. Millions of apes begin to rally up a revolution. Soon, war breaks out between humans and apes. Rodman may be the only one able to stop them before the ape revolution succeeds in them becoming the dominant species on the planet.
