Jurassic Park is one of those perfect Steven
Spielberg movies. The visuals, the score, the performances and its playful mix
of terror and wonder make it an all-time summer blockbuster classic. The
sequels, however, for the most part, have lacked the “Dino DNA” that made that
first walk in the park so special. I would even be so bold as to say that Jurassic
World Dominion is one of the worst major franchise sequels we’ve gotten
in the last decade … and that’s saying a lot!
Three years later, the bar was set low for Jurassic World
Rebirth, Gareth Edwards’ follow-up that serves as a soft reboot for the
32-year-old franchise. But thanks to some intense action scenes, creepy new
creatures and a solid cast, this film ably clears that bar like a Titanosaurus
stepping over a Compy. So yeah, it’s pretty good.
But let’s get the negatives out of the way first. The
opening few minutes are rough. The inciting incident during the prologue
is silly in a bad way, and the opening scenes setting the plot in motion (to
create a new heart disease treatment, our heroes must collect DNA from three
massive dinosaurs which just so happen to be located on and around InGen’s
abandoned R&D island) feel like a bad video game intro that doesn’t let us hold
X to skip.
Once things get going, though, Rebirth grabs hold of
you and doesn’t let go, combining elements of Spielberg classics like Jaws
and Raiders of the Lost Ark – plus a smattering of Park
throwbacks – with new thrills and creatures. I wasn’t sold on the idea of
mutant dinosaurs initially (flying raptors?! And what the heck is a Distortus
rex?), but it all works here. And even when the film slows down to show us a
majestic herd of titanosaurs or a cute and marketable baby dinosaur named
Dolores, it’s still a joy to look at. Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story,
Godzilla) has a knack for combining human beings with digital creations,
and shooting everything on location really helps make us feel like we’re right
there with these characters, narrowly avoiding the jaws of a massive Mosasaurus
or hiding beneath a raft to evade the gaze of a hungry Tyrannosaur.
Speaking of which, the fact that we get the raft sequence
from the original Michael Crichton book translated to the screen in this film
is such a joy. If you thought a T. rex was scary before, just wait until you
see what they can do in the water!
Humans are typically a side dish in Jurassic sequels
(mostly literally in the eyes of its true stars), but I’m happy to say that
leads Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Mahershala Ali do more than just
gawk at dinosaurs and run for their lives. Joining them are a shipwrecked
family (plus a boyfriend) played by Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, David
Iacono and Audrina Miranda, who add some interesting dynamics and heart – yes, heart
– to the perilous proceedings.
No Jurassic sequel comes close to the original, but in terms of scale, intensity and sheer summer blockbuster joy, Rebirth roars. Check out my updated franchise rankings below:
- Jurassic Park
- Jurassic World
- Jurassic World Rebirth
- The Lost World: Jurassic Park
- Jurassic Park III
- Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
- Jurassic World Dominion