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News & Current Events Mar 25, 2026 at 6:18 AM

Finally got around to watching Planet of the Apes reboot with Andy Serkis, and I am in shock

Posted by Nataliza

**NO SPOILERS PLEASE!** I just finished *Dawn of the Planet of the Apes* (2014), the second one. I can't believe I waited this long to watch these incredible films. I am a die hard for the LOTR movies and this is the only series that has come close. Like in LOTR, the passion and care taken in these movies is so incredibly evident. The motion capture is absolutely unbelievable. I couldn't understand that I *wasn't* looking at a real live-ass orangutan! My mind was BLOWN BY THIS MOVIE YOU GUYS! I can't wait to watch the remaining two!! Edit to clarify that I did watch both the first ones in order.
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Spddracer Mar 25, 2026 +248
Enjoy the trilogy. He just gets better and better. Also credit to the CGI artist.
248
CheckYourStats Mar 25, 2026 +58
100%. A phenomenal trilogy worthy of its review scores. It gets the respect it deserves, but it isn’t talked about much. So, I don’t think that qualifies it as being underrated, but it certainly deserves more social discussion than it gets.
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jickdam Mar 25, 2026 +27
The fourth is worth a watch, too. I know it’s not quite as venerated as the Reeves trilogy but I loved it for being a new generation continuation of the saga and thought it went to some interesting places.
27
Nattekat Mar 25, 2026 +8
The fourth one is more a reboot, so it shouldn't be seen as just the next chapter, but the one to set the tone for next instalments.  I'm genuinely looking forward to where they take it. The story itself wasn't as strong as the preceding trilogy, but it does build a world with potential. 
8
jickdam Mar 25, 2026 +9
I mean, it opens by bridging the gap directly from Caesar era so it’s in the same continuity. But, yes, it’s a reset with new arcs you don’t need the original trilogy to understand so I see what you’re saying.
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SettingVegetable9090 Mar 25, 2026 +3
The 4th one is actually my favorite. I like how barren things feel, humanity really is hanging on.
3
frahmer86 Mar 25, 2026 +2
Basically a "requel" as coined by Scream (idk if that's true, but where I heard it).
2
SpinJitsu259 Mar 25, 2026 +3
Forget the trilogy for a moment, Dawn as a standalone film can compete with many other greats.
3
JeiAra Mar 25, 2026 +6
Andy Serkis just kills it with animated characters of any kind. Man has been doing it for about two decades now.
6
LuinAelin Mar 25, 2026 +300
I watched the first at the cinema People went absolutely silent when Ceaser said no
300
sidhucs97 Mar 25, 2026 +97
got goosebumps thinking about that moment after all these years. it shows how well it was done
97
RCuber Mar 25, 2026 +39
I went to the theater thinking it would be a meh movie.. was totally blown away and surprised how good it was.
39
cire1184 Mar 25, 2026 +14
The campy 70s movies and terrible mark whalberg movie did not prepare me.
14
stinkingyeti Mar 25, 2026 +66
The Caeser "NO" moment is one of the best scenes in recent cinema.
66
Inevitable_Exam_2177 Mar 25, 2026 +17
…recent? :-)
17
stinkingyeti Mar 26, 2026 +3
Anything post 2000 is still recent to me.
3
Nataliza Mar 25, 2026 +24
I audibly gasped at that moment and many others. Such amazing depth in these characters.
24
MasterDefibrillator Mar 25, 2026 +30
Were they chatting before hand? 
30
LuinAelin Mar 25, 2026 +49
No. They used sign language but didn't talk
49
mentho-lyptus Mar 25, 2026 +27
I think he meant the people at the cinema.
27
LuinAelin Mar 25, 2026 +23
Dam. Just woke up and need caffeine
23
tapoplata Mar 25, 2026 +10
So did he
10
SpirOhNoLactone Mar 25, 2026 +5
Just ooh ooh and ahh ahh before
5
KesMonkey Mar 25, 2026 +9
People were reacting to Tom Felton's character saying "Take your stinking paw off me you damn dirty ape" right before Caeser said "No!" (which is immediately followed by the movie going completely silent).
9
gordogg24p Mar 25, 2026 +6
Yeah, there were a few groans and/or laughs in my theater with Draco Malfoy getting the callback line, but that all went dead quiet with Caesar's response.
6
jerrrrremy Mar 25, 2026
Underrated comment. 
0
Secksualinnuendo Mar 25, 2026 +5
I remember seeing in theaters. There was an audible gasp from the audience. Such a great cinematic moment
5
LuinAelin Mar 25, 2026 +5
Kinda great as well that they made it shocking in a planet of the apes movie. If there's one movie the apes talking shouldn't be shocking it's planet of the apes
5
uberpirate Mar 25, 2026 +3
It's a good thing we were at home because my wife and I cheered lmao
3
ScheduledYeti284 Mar 25, 2026 +7
I'm more worried that people were noisy enough in a cinema before that scene that them going silent was noticeable.
7
KesMonkey Mar 25, 2026 +9
People were reacting to Tom Felton's character saying "Take your stinking paw off me you damn dirty ape" right before Caeser said "No!" and the movie suddenly goes completely silent.
9
LuinAelin Mar 25, 2026 +4
Ehh people make noises. It was only noticeable when those noises stop.
4
geek_of_nature Mar 25, 2026 +16
Especially when the immediate line before it is a callback to the most iconic line in the franchise, and one thst been parodied so many times before. When I saw it people started laughing at Malfoy dropping the damn dirty ape line, only to be shocked into silence by Caesar a second later.
16
ToneBalone25 Mar 25, 2026 +1
I still remember watching it in theaters and then watching it on red box with the orangutan's sign language not being subtitled and being so confused. Such a dope movie. Also miss red box even though I own like 4 of them. 🫶🫶🫶
1
KnownNormie Mar 25, 2026 +3
You own four Red Boxes?
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Draoken Mar 25, 2026 +2
If there's ever been a post made by a bot it feels like the one you just replied lol
2
Neil_Salmon Mar 25, 2026
They almost bungled the scene by crowbarring in that "damn dirty ape" line. It's a needless reference, delivered very awkwardly and they put it in the most important moment of the movie (the whole series really). But thankfully the moment still lands.
0
geek_of_nature Mar 25, 2026 +20
Oh no its what makes it work. When I saw it everyone started giggling at the line, only for Caesar to shock them into silence a second letter. I think that was purely intentional to help the moment land even more.
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Wonderpants_uk Mar 25, 2026 +9
Yeah, when I saw it, there were laughs and groans at the “damn dirty ape” line, and then gasps or silence when Caesar replied. 
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Neil_Salmon Mar 25, 2026 -8
I've seen that argument but I disagree. I genuinely believe it would have been a better scene with other dialogue. It would have been more meaningful for that character to have real dialogue rather than having him repeatedly and awkwardly quote the original movie.
-8
AugustusCaesar00 Mar 25, 2026
People weren't silent before? Must have been a terrible theatre experience.
0
LuinAelin Mar 25, 2026
People in general make noise when existing. It was the kind of noise you notice when it stops
0
AugustusCaesar00 Mar 25, 2026 -4
Next time you should go to good theatres that use good speakers
-4
qtx Mar 25, 2026
Hey, not all of us can visit the senior citizens matinee.
0
JiminyJilickers-79 Mar 25, 2026 +252
That trilogy is incredible. And Kingdom is a worthy 4th.
252
Theory89 Mar 25, 2026 +95
I was really pleasantly surprised by Kingdom. Definitely worth checking out. "What a wonderful day!"
95
DocSmizzle Mar 25, 2026 +26
What a wonderful day!
26
Partner-Elijah Mar 25, 2026 +12
I'll die on this hill, Kingdom is better than War
12
Theory89 Mar 25, 2026 +10
Agreed. I think the first one was the best of the trilogy, though admittedly that could be, in part, because it blew me away when it came out.
10
Beautiful-Mission-31 Mar 25, 2026 +8
War is a very messy film from a structural POV, but that’s kind of what happens when you let Reeves write a film. He’s good at writing individual scenes and big ideas, but how he fits them all together is often lacking. He’s better at the texture of story than he is at actually creating a story. Not to say that his films are bad, but this is a weakness that has shown up across several of his productions.
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jerrrrremy Mar 25, 2026 -1
Hmm, yes. Shallow and pedantic. 
-1
Beautiful-Mission-31 Mar 25, 2026
Are you saying my comment is or Reeves’ writing?
0
MonkeyBred Mar 25, 2026 +2
"Apes together... strong"
2
NamelessGamer_1 Mar 25, 2026 +5
I disagree. Kingdom was just ok for me. Definitely doesn't come close to the Caesar trilogy
5
borntc02 Mar 25, 2026 -12
The fourth movie is a monumental step down from the first 3. Complete cash grab. Ass
-12
JiminyJilickers-79 Mar 25, 2026 +1
Nah
1
Optix_au Mar 25, 2026 +39
Take your stinking paws off me you damn dirty ape. NO!
39
iwishihadnobones Mar 25, 2026 +16
Can I play the piano anymore?
16
Optix_au Mar 25, 2026 +9
Of course you can.
9
AutoRedialer Mar 25, 2026 +13
Well I couldn’t before!
13
Silly-Power Mar 25, 2026 +8
I hate every ape I see, from chimpan-A to chimpan-Zee. That line is too clever for its own good. I hope whoever thought of it got a raise. 
8
DJ1066 Mar 25, 2026 +2
That would be Alf Clausen and Jack Barth. Think of any music in The Simpsons from s3 up to almost today and Clausen composed it. Jack Barth is the writer who wrote a freelance script that became the episode with it in. He does freely say that in the script he wrote there is no Planet of the Apes musical, and that was added later by other writers, so the song is credited as a collaborative effort between that pair.
2
overthemountain Mar 26, 2026 +1
Makes me think of one of the old [bash.org](http://bash.org) quotes "My d*** is so long if I laid it on the keyboard it would go from a to z".
1
Optix_au Mar 25, 2026 +5
Oh, I love legitimate the-a-ter.
5
EmergencyNatural9550 Mar 25, 2026 +94
Dude Caesar's character development throughout that trilogy is absolutely insane. The way they managed to make you feel more invested in the apes than most of the human characters is wild. War for the Planet of the Apes is gonna mess you up emotionally just warning you now Andy Serkis deserved way more recognition for his mocap work in these films. The fact that he can convey that much emotion and personality through CGI is honestly mind blowing. My Great Pyrenees has more facial expressions than some human actors but even she cant compete with what Serkis pulled off as Caesar You picked the perfect comparison with LOTR too because both trilogies just have that epic scope while still keeping the character moments really grounded and personal
94
Axel_Wolf91 Mar 25, 2026 +30
One of my personal favorite little things is how Caesar's vocabulary expands through each movie until he's speaking proper by the end.
30
EatPrayCliche Mar 25, 2026 +11
Credit to the artists who brought Caesar to life, the modelers, texture artists, animators and tech artists, Serkis is a good mo cap performer but that was very much a group effort.
11
yayayathecreator Mar 25, 2026 +5
i saw him at comic con and every question was about LOTR and one question about 13 going on 30 and it took Serkis himself to finally bring up this trilogy. The question was other than gollum what was his favorite character he played and he said Caesar because it's so uncommon to play a character from birth until death and he really loved how he was able to evolve his character over the trilogy
5
lankymjc Mar 25, 2026 +3
Also some recognition needed for the animators. They didn’t just record his movements and slapped them on a man ape digital model; they used it as reference but had to figure out how to make the monkey head and muscle system make sense.
3
Nataliza Mar 26, 2026 +1
As with LOTR, I also love how tender all the male characters are (and it's almost all male characters -- perhaps my only gripe with the series). So much affection and vulnerability shown between men/male apes, and the relationships are so much more impactful for it.
1
Weekly-Batman Mar 25, 2026 +23
I’m glad i lived in a time where i grew up with the original series, witnessed the Burton movie, and then got this absolutely perfect reboot series
23
anothercynic2112 Mar 25, 2026 +4
I mean is anyone actually "happy" they witnessed the Burton thing?
4
dandelion_bob Mar 25, 2026 +5
I saw it at the cinema. Terrible movie!
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vwfil Mar 25, 2026 +10
Apes together strong!
10
Numerous_Chain_9713 Mar 25, 2026 +16
It is genuinely one of the most consistently perfect trilogies of the modern era tbh. the fact that andy serkis was never even nominated for an oscar for playing caesar is still one of the biggest crimes in cinematic history ngl.
16
dabhard Mar 25, 2026 +9
Probably my favorite trilogy of the century (didn't say best, just my favorite). Incredible explorations of humanity through non-human characters, and absolutely epic action especially in the first two movies.
9
alucardu Mar 25, 2026 +8
I was expecting the Rise of the planet of the Apes to be terrible so i put it on as a joke with a friend and we made a deal to do a shot whenever a ape did something crazy. Turned out to be one of the best movie watching experiences ever. A great movie, even the silverback jumped the helicopter we did multiple shots.
8
PopsicleIncorporated Mar 25, 2026 +3
To be fair, an ape frequently does something crazy. They're great films but the apes very much do things that are crazy
3
BMCarbaugh Mar 25, 2026 +6
I liked Rise and War well enough, but Dawn of the Planet of the Apes is f****** spectacular. It nails the perfect balance between epic setting and well-scoped main story, the characters are phenomenal, the structure is basically perfect. It's a monster of a film.
6
Nataliza Mar 25, 2026 +3
I absolutely is. I was in awe. Such a rich movie and so many heart wrenching developments. I got so angry at the stupid violent apes (and humans) who kept f****** things up when they were in perfect balance.
3
BMCarbaugh Mar 25, 2026 +1
I was so impressed with Koba. I don't know what ratio of credit goes to Toby Kebbell, other mo-cap performers, or the animators, but they knocked it out of the park. I was all the way in on that character. That was an absolutely masterful performance.
1
Nataliza Mar 25, 2026 +1
You're not kidding. Andy Serkis is the mocap king, but honestly, the actors who portrayed Koba and Caesar's son Blue Eyes were unbelievably good. Koba was INTENSE.
1
CrashTestKing Mar 25, 2026 +4
Just wait till you watch the third one. I won't spoil anything, but i thought it was fantastic. Maybe my favorite of the trilogy.
4
Responsible_Map_1951 Mar 25, 2026 +8
I remember going into 'rise' years ago expecting just a dumb, fun action movie about monkeys running around the golden gate bridge, and by the end of 'war' i was literally sobbing over a cgi ape. the emotional arc they gave caesar across those three films is basically a shakespearean tragedy dude.
8
Fortestingporpoises Mar 25, 2026 +3
Yeah it's such a fantastic trilogy. Another series of films where Serkis was deserving of an Oscar.
3
Honest_Aerie_6933 Mar 25, 2026 +3
Bad Ape fan club reporting for duty!
3
WorthPlease Mar 25, 2026 +3
This was the last movie I ever saw in a Drive-In. This and Purge 2 back to back. Had such a great time with a cooler full of grey goose, sprite, and some nachos from the concession stand. Gorilla's riding horses with Tommy Guns, what's not to love? Man I miss them, I couldn't believe when I moved to Florida and they just....didn't exist. I thought for sure since they could stay open all year round there would be some down south.
3
redajet Mar 25, 2026 +3
i've never approached this latest reboot series (my POTA 'watched' list currently includes the original one- only the first, not the sequels- and the infamous Wahlberg one), but i must admit that seeing all the raving comments here made me want to watch it. So, since i kinda don't want to inadvertently spoil myself something by searching online, i have a question for you good reddit folks: is this series done and completed or is it currently still open? I would hate to be left on some sort of final cliffhanger and a "coming to theaters in 2028" or so... If you have further advice of any kind about this, maybe a different watching order, or something like "stop with the X film, the rest is not good/not tied/leaves open stuff"- feel free to add! TIA!
3
sendhelp Mar 25, 2026 +6
Watch them in the order they are released. The 4th one, Kingdom of the Planet of the apes is the start of a new trilogy I think. So technically it's still open. I don't think it ends on a cliffhanger, I saw it when it first came out so it's been a little while, I'd like to rewatch it some time. Trust me you won't be disappointed with this series. As a human, you'd think you'd be rooting for the humans, but you'll find yourself rooting for the apes.
6
redajet Mar 25, 2026 +2
Thanks for the info, much appreciated! I will for sure watch the trilogy then... and the fact that the fourth doesn't leave the viewer hanging is also very good news, maybe i will watch that one too!
2
[deleted] Mar 25, 2026 +2
[removed]
2
Nataliza Mar 25, 2026 +1
Absolutely. The clarity of the facial expressions is jaw dropping. How he achieves so much, even when he's just standing there! The use of musical beats is also done so well for creating tension and presence.
1
travisreavesbutt Mar 25, 2026 +2
I think this entry is one of the best science fiction movies in recent vintage
2
Mr_YUP Mar 25, 2026 +2
That second movie I think stands on its own as an incredible film. It’s better than the first and I think does its main story better than 3 does. Incredibly underrated trilogy. 
2
Expensive-Sentence66 Mar 25, 2026 +2
The Matt Reeves films are just damn good story telling, period. I don't think Kingdom is nearly as strong as the first 3 films which were marvelous, but I still like the characters. I'm a huge fan of the 68' film even though it's themes and approach are radically different. Most people don't get the main points the 68' film, but if you sift for it it's there and pretty profound. I would love for Reeves to thematically 'bridge' the recent apes films with the 68' film in another entry.
2
DeeGayJator Mar 25, 2026 +2
Your LotR comparison will continue to hold true! These films are f****** *great*!
2
umlcat Mar 25, 2026 +2
They were good movies but dropped the time travel part. And, there's a conspiracy theory around the time travel part, similar to the time travel in H.G. Time Machine book and movie ...
2
Desertbro Mar 25, 2026 +3
...well...we don't know that a spaceship WASN'T swallowed by a wormhole during the events of the first film... who knows
3
F0tNMC Mar 25, 2026 +2
On of the best modern sci-fi trilogies. Enjoy the ride!
2
IW1911 Mar 25, 2026 +1
I had lower than low expectations after that turd of a movie with Marky Mark in it. But holy shit the trilogy just kept getting better and better l, easily one upping each time.
1
animeman59 Mar 25, 2026 +1
One of the most underrated movie series out there
1
fragmental Mar 25, 2026 +1
After I watched the first one I got super hyped to continue watching. I had a chant that sounded like "monk-key moo-vie!" that I involuntarily started saying before I watched the next one. Idk why. It just came over me. I wouldn't go as far as to compare it to the LOTR trilogy, but I also don't remember ever getting so excited to watch the next movie in a series. They're really good, and only seem to get better in each iteration.
1
Nataliza Mar 25, 2026 +2
They are so good. One of my absolute favorite parts of LOTR, and the thing I still get so hyped about, is the groundbreaking CGI and set design. In that arena the Apes movies are on par or, in motion capture specifically, even better. Makes sense it was also done by Weta -- they knocked it out of the park!
2
bdgamercookwriterguy Mar 25, 2026 +1
Not sure if anyone remembers . Everyone was expecting a huge dud and it shocked everyone
1
HAL9100 Mar 25, 2026 +1
Second-best trilogy released in my life
1
popculturella Mar 25, 2026 +1
What's number one?
1
HAL9100 Mar 26, 2026 +2
> "The world is changed. I feel it in the water. I feel it in the earth. I smell it in the air."
2
Legohead1977 Mar 25, 2026 +1
All three are really good films, enjoy 👍
1
darkholemind Mar 25, 2026 +1
Right?! Andy Serkis is a motion-capture god.
1
jerrrrremy Mar 25, 2026 +1
You're worried about spoilers, but you watched the second movie before the first? 
1
Nataliza Mar 25, 2026 -1
Lol no, I watched them both ya clown
-1
Dixie_Normuus Mar 25, 2026 +1
Apes together, strong
1
Empty_Truck4574 Mar 25, 2026 +1
The War is the best, and even more emotional tale.
1
CupcakeCloudy Mar 25, 2026 +1
No spoilers, but you’re 100% right about the passion.
1
Cristobolon Mar 25, 2026 +1
NOOOOOOO!!!!
1
EveryGoodNameIsGone Mar 25, 2026 +1
Don’t sleep on Kingdom just because Serkis isn’t in it anymore (there’s a time skip of several generations). It’s still excellent and the ape performances are just as good. Bummed it didn’t do super well at the box office since a fifth film is very much up in the air at this point.
1
jcbluebird47 Mar 25, 2026 +1
For a franchise nobody asked for they keep making very entertaining movies
1
twinsfan94 Mar 25, 2026 +1
May I ask why you started with Dawn and not Rise? Why ruin the experience by watching them out of order?
1
Nataliza Mar 25, 2026 +2
I didn't watch them out of order. I watched them both. Probably didn't make that super clear.
2
twinsfan94 Mar 25, 2026 +1
Ah gotcha
1
TheGunslingerRechena Mar 25, 2026 +1
The third is even better. An amazing trilogy, among the best.
1
UnknownFiddler Mar 25, 2026 +1
Great trilogy but the names of the movies make more sense in this order: Dawn, War, Rise. Kingdom is also great and hopefully we will get a sequel eventually.
1
peteyshabby Mar 25, 2026 +1
the dawn of the apes trilogy is one of the most consistently well-made trilogies in recent memory, the motion capture work especially holds up remarkably well. caesar's arc across all three is genuinely something
1
nailbunny2000 Mar 25, 2026 +1
Funny, I've still not watched any. On my list though..... my very long list.
1
Nataliza Mar 25, 2026 +1
Honestly, this one deserves to be moved up and short-listed IMO. An absolute treat.
1
Key_Relative_2414 Mar 25, 2026 +1
I'm so jealous cause you get to experience the trilogy for the first time 🙆‍♂️🙆‍♂️🙆‍♂️
1
NCC75567 Mar 25, 2026 +1
*Dawn* is my favorite but all 4 are really good. Have you seen the original movies? They are silly at times, but still pretty good. I kind of went on a binge and watched everything before watching *Kingdom* a few years ago.
1
Ehrre Mar 25, 2026 +1
I didnt like the one with Woody
1
astoria_marco91 Mar 25, 2026 +1
Wait until you watch War. Serkis in that third one is genuinely one of the best performances of the decade and he didn't even show his face. The fact he never got an Oscar nomination for any of these is criminal. Enjoy the ride.
1
marijuanam0nk Mar 25, 2026 +1
You're in for a treat. I think it's the most underrated trilogy of these modern times.
1
sweetwatertooth Mar 25, 2026 +1
Agreed. Love those films.
1
Jdog2225858 Mar 26, 2026 +1
This trilogy amazed me
1
Pm-me-ur-happysauce Mar 26, 2026 +1
Watch the original planet of the apes movie please. Like the old one
1
MagnusAuslander Mar 26, 2026 +1
This trilogy got better and better from 1 to 3. 3 was a gut punch and had a phenomenal ending.
1
NotSoNinjaTurtles Mar 26, 2026 +1
Andy Serkis was on Colbert to promote War of the Planet of the Apes and shared this clip to demonstrate the performance capture process. [https://youtu.be/64mWOoj68qo?si=5tyupgoeMH9J93eF&t=103](https://youtu.be/64mWOoj68qo?si=5tyupgoeMH9J93eF&t=103)
1
RufusKingCounty Mar 25, 2026 +1
Such a good trilogy. Once Matt Reeves gets involved, it goes top tier. Gotta you can the meticulous attention to detail in the CGI in the graphic sex (mating?) scene in the third one. It comes out of nowhere!
1
Justforargumesnts Mar 25, 2026
Underrated trilogy. One of the best of all time.
0
cheftonine Mar 25, 2026
Being 60+, I've watched them all as they've came out Never given a shit about timelines and continuity, its just a great form of escapism. Loved all the films and caesar's death was a pivotal moment for me but still loved it all.
0
Pal_Saradise_ Mar 25, 2026
I can’t get into these movies, something about the monkeys not hanging dong just completely takes me out of it.
0
Ancient-Dust3077 Mar 25, 2026
did you watch the first one?
0
Woodit Mar 26, 2026
Do you now hate every chimp you see..?
0
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