Jurassic World Rebirth makes dinosaurs scary again with the best set pieces since Jurassic Park

Three years following what was thought to be the final chapter of the Jurassic saga with Jurassic World Dominion, dinosaurs once again roam in Jurassic World Rebirth. As suggested by its title, this new installment serves as a refreshing restart for the series.

It’s no wonder that we didn’t have to wait too long for another “Jurassic World” film; even though “Dominion” faced decreasing critical and commercial success, it still managed to rake in a billion dollars globally. Contrary to what the “World of Jurassic” trilogy and “Rebirth” might suggest, there’s still a strong public fascination with dinosaurs in reality.

It’s uncertain whether people will choose to watch a new Jurassic movie that isn’t directly connected to the original. However, if viewers opt not to catch Jurassic World Rebirth, they might be missing out on some of the most impressive action sequences since Jurassic Park.

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The upcoming movie titled “Jurassic World Rebirth” could potentially serve as a fresh start for the series, but it maintains a similar narrative. Once again, InGen’s meddling with dinosaur genetics resulted in unforeseen complications, resulting in a horde of mutated dinosaurs they had to leave behind on an isolated island after one managed to break free.

In time, pharmaceutical giant ParkerGenix contemplates utilizing dinosaurs to develop a groundbreaking medication targeting heart disease, not for the common welfare but for substantial profits. Then, experienced undercover operative Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) is dispatched to that island to secure dinosaur DNA. This operation, without a doubt, appears destined to proceed flawlessly.

Given that it’s a movie set in the Jurassic era, naturally there are kids in danger due to a family who found themselves stranded on an island after their boat was overturned by a dinosaur. The island is home to fearsome creatures like the Distortus Rex, a beast reminiscent of a Xenomorph, Predator, and T-Rex hybrid.

To truly enjoy Jurassic World Rebirth, you’ll first need to endure its somewhat slow opening act. While an intriguing, chilly prologue grabs your attention, screenwriter David Koepp must set numerous plot elements in motion. This includes updating the world’s status (five years after Dominion) and introducing a variety of new characters.

In a more fluid rephrasing: Sometimes, the narrative can feel heavy and slow, like when Zora and her team leader Duncan (Mahershala Ali) unexpectedly discuss their past wounds, leaving you yearning for the dinosaur action to unfold. None of the characters seem to have enough development to escape their one-dimensional roles, but Jonathan Bailey shines as the charming science enthusiast Henry Loomis.

When the Mosasaurus encounters Zora’s team and their family in Jurassic World Rebirth, the film significantly improves. Despite some ongoing issues with pacing due to frequent transitions between storylines, director Gareth Edwards skillfully overcomes these lulls with impressive action sequences.

One issue with the Jurassic World trilogy was often a lack of genuine peril, as even children could fend off a Velociraptor using a cattle prod. However, in this case, Edwards manages to rekindle the fear these dinosaurs inspire, making it obvious that the best course of action is to flee in panic.

In the standout scene of Jurassic World Rebirth, a T-Rex and a raft make an appearance, drawing inspiration from Michael Crichton’s original novel, Jurassic Park. This sequence is remarkably intense, fun, and captivating. It skillfully navigates the limits of suspense for a 12A rating, making it a fitting follow-up to the legendary T-Rex scene in the first film.

Among several memorable scenes that stand out, a dramatic confrontation at a late-night convenience store with Mutadons is nearly as captivating as the raft sequence. The characters consistently find themselves in real danger throughout the story.

In a somewhat anticlimactic turn, the last confrontation with Distortus Rex seems less impressive than expected, even by Jurassic-movie standards, due to its over-the-top character survival. The movie concludes on a deflating note, one that might be veiled in smoke to conceal some of its questionable visual effects scenes.

As a devoted viewer, I must say that Edwards and Koepp masterfully blend chills with charm, embodying the timeless essence of Amblin productions. The movie introduces a captivating little creature named Dolores, an Aquilops you’ll surely grow fond of. There’s a breathtaking scene featuring the Titanosaurus, beautifully scored by none other than Jonathan Bailey. The humor is sometimes spot-on but at times misses the mark, creating an engaging mix of laughter and excitement.

The film could have benefited from taking bolder steps, deviating from the overused ‘Big Pharma is evil’ narrative and instead offering a fresh tale for the franchise. However, sticking to well-trodden paths, as Jurassic World Rebirth does, still provides some impressive scenes that justify your investment of time.

Jurassic World Rebirth is released in cinemas on 2 July.

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2025-06-30 19:19