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By Michael Lomax

I didn’t see “Rise of the Planet of the Apes” when it was released in 2011. I wasn’t the biggest fan of the original franchise and, generally turned off by Hollywood at the time, I didn’t think the reboot was going to be much of a success.

I then promptly forgot all about the series.

“Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” came out in 2014, and while I was vaguely aware of it, I still chose not to see any of the movies. Now, three years later, the third installment — “War of the Planet of the Apes”— has been released.

Finally it was time for me to watch the reboots. And in hindsight I can’t believe I waited this long.

Many years ago, a potential Alzheimer’s cure turned fatal virus wiped out most of humanity, though in apes the same virus accelerated brain function — making them a lot smarter.

Fifteen years before the events of “War,” Caesar (Andy Serkis) was the first ape to show signs of increased intelligence. Eventually he rebelled against humans and tried leading his band of followers deep into the California forests. When a treacherous ape later tried usurping Caesar’s throne, the war between apes and humans started.

Apes today have suffered unimaginable losses and many have even joined forces with the human military out of fear. Only Caesar, who ultimately desires peace, stands up to the soldiers and their eccentric colonel (Woody Harrelson).

“War” is a blockbuster that repeatedly raises variations of the same question: What does it mean to be human? And when framed against the backdrop of a military complex led by a quasi-evangelical, the answer is hardly clear. At the very least, things get muddy and distorted.

Human beings, after all, are often capable of acts of violence that far exceed anything you’ll find in the jungle, and since we’re supposed to be the civilized ones, this is inexcusable.

Who then really are the savages? For that matter, what does it even mean to be a savage? Dig deep enough, you might not like the answers.

As a work of film, “War” is about as technically solid a blockbuster you’ll find. The special effects are realistic and the writing tends to shy away from anything too campy and melodramatic.

Mind you, that doesn’t mean some moments aren’t at least a little forced — if not outright corny — but the film more than makes up for them with fine performances across the board, an epic music score, and a story that has more heart than most of the human characters.

So if you’ve seen the previous two films, there really is no reason to avoid “War of the Planet of the Apes.” You could even say to do so would be just a little inhuman.

Michael Lomax is a writer-filmmaker currently at work on a film script to be set and shot in Albany.