Movies

I Wanted to Love Jurassic World Rebirth, But the Reviews Were Right

BBG News

The original is an enduring classic, cherished by multiple generations; the Steven Spielberg-directed film often passes down through the family tree. However, after numerous sequels and a declining critical reception, the latest installment of Jurassic World attempts to reclaim its glory. The team consisting of Gareth Edwards (Godzilla, Rogue One), writer David Koepp (Spider-Man), Mahershala Ali, and Scarlett Johansson appear well-equipped to accomplish this feat, delivering on their project’s a revitalization of Jurassic Park.

Initially, when the initial wave of unfavorable reviews for a sequel came out, I brushed them off as typical skepticism – critics often showing disdain towards legacy sequels. Ignoring the 52% Rotten Tomatoes rating, I decided to buy my ticket and prove them wrong. However, after watching the movie, I left the theater feeling dejected, realizing why this $180 million production is now part of one of the most criticized chapters in its franchise’s history.

Don’t Worry, Jurassic World is Bored With its Rebirth, Too

To begin, Jurassic World Rebirth makes a bold move by starting with a text scroll, implying a sense of protection towards the audience, as if acknowledging their role in its history. However, the movie itself doesn’t seem to need this protection, as indicated by the narrative that unfolds. Instead, it seems to be grappling with waning audience interest, using this as a narrative device. Whether this is clever world-building for a superior film or simply a reflection of the movie’s own thesis, is open to interpretation. This isn’t a setup; it’s more like David Koepp conceding that dinosaurs may no longer hold the same allure they once did. The film then proceeds to demonstrate this very point.

During the extensive promotional campaign for “Jurassic World Rebirth,” many people might have recognized a well-known New York City traffic scene. This particular scene, similar to the previews, depicts dinosaurs obstructing the Brooklyn Bridge. While this scenario could be intriguing in isolation or as part of concept art, it is this scene that underscores the ordinary nature of “Rebirth’s” premise. A dinosaur causing chaos in New York City may not evoke awe, terror, wonder, or fear—just everyday annoyance. The sense of amazement and menace that Steven Spielberg initially infused his creatures with is what makes “Jurassic Park” successful. Instead of presenting dinosaurs as miraculous and malevolent beings, “Rebirth” starts by portraying them as mere traffic issues.

Jurassic World Rebirth: Got Your Money Already, Now Watch the Dinosaurs

As a passionate cinephile, I’d rephrase that as follows: In the thrilling world of Jurassic Park, it’s not just the dinosaurs we should fear – it’s their blood, which is presented as a potential remedy for a predator even more formidable than they are: heart disease. The idea that scientists would risk everything to harness this power seems far-fetched, but the movie cleverly uses the creatures as a cure for people back home as a justification for such a perilous expedition.

In the original Jurassic Park, the pseudo-science was taken seriously by weaving scenes and dialogues around it, keeping the audience engaged as the story unfolded. However, in Rebirth, the thin premise is quickly introduced but not fully developed, hinting that little substance will follow. For instance, when Zora’s mother’s heart disease is mentioned only once and then forgotten, it suggests that the screenplay is merely going through the motions without much depth.

A Creature Feature Veteran Can’t Pull off Jurassic World Rebirth

Gareth Edwards injected new life into the Star Wars series with Rogue One. He also revitalized the Godzilla franchise in America after many years. With elements reminiscent of a Jurassic movie fixer-upper, he started off with a laboratory sequence that showcased his innovative concept. This scene evoked a chilling Universal monster movie ambiance, replaced John Williams’ iconic score, and paved the way for something genuinely ominous and fresh, offering the original twist the franchise required.

Initially, an ominous title unfolds, transporting viewers back to the same worn-out storyline that the franchise has repeatedly attempted but failed to replicate successfully. Here we are again on a dinosaur-infested island, can you believe it? The abrupt shift from the chilling introduction to the predictable disaster movie was like watching two separate directors at work. Steven Spielberg made a name for himself by crafting thoughtful, suspenseful creature features – even his Darth Vader in ‘Rogue One’ fits this description. However, ‘Rebirth’ discards all that careful pacing for generic action sequences. The Distortus rex, which should be Spielberg’s signature monster, falls short of the terrifying raptors seen in the lab. Rather than a gradual, tense escalation, Distortus is suddenly introduced merely to create a fright. Essentially, ‘Rebirth’ sets the table for a ‘Jurassic Park’ experience with the nutritional value of a ‘Fast and Furious’ film.

As a movie lover, it feels like the studio has brought those script suggestions to life when rescuing the stranded family in Jurassic World: Dominion. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and his daughters aren’t subpar actors, but their storyline seems like an extra appendage on the impressive dinosaur skeleton that is the rest of the film. While Zora’s team is involved in corporate espionage, they are also dealing with a heartfelt family reunion drama.

It’s alright if different elements seem unrelated at first, and it can be beneficial when they ultimately share similarities. However, these specific characters don’t show much enthusiasm for connecting or cooperating. What’s more concerning is that the Delgados didn’t rely on the mercenaries, not in any significant way – a chance to create an engaging narrative was missed here. The film could have explored various themes such as a military unit on a secret mission, a family stranded on a dinosaur-infested island, or the unexpected alliance between these two groups. Instead, Jurassic World Rebirth portrays both parties as simply idle.

The Movie Breaks Its Own Most Important Scene

The Titanosaur scene – a deliberate nod, designed to replicate the first dinosaur encounter experienced by Grant and Ellie in “Jurassic Park”. This could be seen as simple nostalgia or fan service by some, but others may view it as an acknowledgement of what came before. However, Edwards chooses to switch from Zora’s view of the beast at the moment she sees it, instead opting for a wide shot.

This piece criticizes the flaws in today’s big-budget films. Pastiches can’t work when they fundamentally misunderstand their subject matter. The scene between Grant and Ellie was effective because they represented the audience, marveling at dinosaurs with wide-eyed wonder. Spielberg’s Jurassic World offers a picturesque view, but Edwards fails to capture the same sense of awe.

When Your Star Monster Has an Identity Crisis

In an unconventional manner, Distortus rex seems to exhibit shapeshifting abilities. Depending on the scene in the movie you find yourself waking up, it can be so large that it towers over buildings, similar to King Kong, or it can reduce its size for more intimate chase sequences reminiscent of early franchise installments.

In the case of Mutadons, they encounter a similar predicament. Their dimensions can be erratic, yet rest assured, they are portrayed in a distressingly exaggerated manner. Such specifics often elude attention during the meticulous meat-grinder process of property development. This is precisely the kind of detail that Spielberg’s team meticulously preserved for authenticity. In this world, these creatures adapt to whatever size is necessary for the current scene.

Movie Stars Brace Themselves for an Asteroid-Level Failure

In simpler terms, both Zora Bennett and Duncan Kincaid possess remarkable acting skills, but they seem to embody typical action hero stereotypes without any unique features beyond their professional abilities. Scarlett Johansson, on the other hand, has only one distinct trait – her mother passed away from heart disease – which seldom plays a significant role in shaping her character choices. In other words, this characteristic rarely serves as a guiding light for her decisions.

Observing Ali struggle with a stereotypical role – “faithful mercenary concerned for children’s welfare” – is disheartening. The script offers him limited opportunities, mainly reaction scenes and delivering expository dialogue. Duncan’s selfless act of diverting the Distortus Rex to save others; it should be an impactful scene, but it falls flat. It’s just another cliché added to the extensive (or, insignificant) collection of tropes in Jurassic World Rebirth. The fact that he miraculously survives this selfless act feels even more misleading.

Corporate Greed Gets a Little-Needed Victory

Jurassic World Rebirth failed to capitalize on the potential silver lining of declining interest, instead setting up its plot. If dinosaurs are facing a second extinction, it raises intriguing questions such as: What happens when miracles lose their novelty? How does society cope with the loss of amazement in their lives? This scenario presents an opportunity for a rich allegory, but unfortunately, it’s left underdeveloped.

In a similar vein, the idea of “Ile Saint-Hubert serving as a playground for discarded experiments” held almost mesmerizing appeal. It could have been captivating. However, the notion of a location where corporate greed spawned nightmares so grotesque, they were deemed unfit for profit-driven amusement parks, presents an intriguing setting for a narrative delving into capitalism’s ruthless exploitation of everything. Regrettably, it appears neither of these possible narratives received the attention they deserved.

Zora’s Decisions Could Prove Catastrophic

The Jurassic World series now faces an additional challenge: intriguingly hinting at future films. This predicament leaves us puzzled, as any forced, complex system devised to keep the franchise alive seems exasperating.

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, I can’t help but question the heroism in Zora’s decision to make dinosaur DNA open-source for all. After all, we’ve seen time and again in movies like Jurassic World and its predecessors what happens when corporations meddle with nature. For three whole decades, these films have shown us the disastrous consequences of such experiments. So, isn’t it evident that Zora is knowingly inviting a global catastrophe by democratizing this dangerous dinosaur technology? It seems more like a recipe for chaos rather than an act of heroism.

Let’s Address the CGI Elephant in the Room

Among all the disappointments, this failure of Jurassic World: Rebirth stands out as particularly disheartening. A key aspect that excited fans was the reintroduction of the river chase sequence from the original book, which was notably absent in Jurassic Park. This sequence was one of Michael Crichton’s most chilling omissions from his novel. The anticipation was palpable. However, when it finally played out, a single, recurring thought dominated my mind: how much more authentic and impactful Stan Winston’s animatronics felt thirty-two years ago. Just like their Jurassic World counterparts, the digital dinosaurs in Rebirth lack weight, substance, and the ability to truly occupy real space.

In the uniquely designed movie known as “Jurassic World,” and due to the uncooperative script by Koepp, human interactions feel disjointed. The additional challenge – convincing audiences to empathize with dinosaurs – is a step too far for many viewers. Instead of fostering emotional engagement, these scenes only provoke nostalgia for puppets from three decades ago.

Read More

2025-07-06 01:31

Previous post “Unforgettable” serial killer thriller which “keeps the twists coming” gets new UK streaming home
Next post 28 Years Later: The Zombie Sequel That Outshines ‘The Last of Us’!