“Jurassic World Rebirth”
In 1993, Steven Spielberg released yet another movie based on a bestselling slice of beach read Americana, this time by Michael Crichton instead of Peter Benchley. The result was a crowning achievement that was a marvel of movie making, special effects and reinforced why legions the world over are always better served when they see a spectacle on a very big screen.
Thirty-years after “Jurassic Park’s” transformative release, the franchise has come to make another return, with a new cast, new director and yes new dinosaurs.
I am not anti-franchise. You like what you like. Casts should Change, perspectives should change and every go should be given a chance. Each generation has the right to make their mark, give their take.
So I welcome “Jurassic World” to the Canon.
The director and cast are both top shelf. Gareth Edwards made “Godzilla,” “Rogue One,” “the Creator” and one of my favorites “Monsters.” The cast you have Scarlet Johannson, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend and Ed Skrein. Not a bad cast at all.
The setup works well. A hidden lab doing shady things. There is a security incident, a breach, cue up present day. Fast and Efficient, off to a good start.
Enter Scarlet Johannson, franchise hunting now after her Marvel reign is over. She is basically Black Widow without suit. We can forgive her for this because it’s well Scarlet Johannson. She is asked to lead a secret mission to the island with that security breach.
There is a needy scientist which is always required on a mission like this. He is likeable, smart and conscientious enough without getting too far out for all the anti-woke folks. And of course there are children in danger! Would it really be a Jurassic Park movie without children being in danger?
And if you like children being in Danger, as a plot device, not in real life, you are going to love “Jurassic World Rebirth.” This movie does a great job of keeping children in danger at all times.
I actually turned to my wife in the movie and said “So many CPS Reports.” She laughed because she knew I was right. Because let me be honest, why the team is going to that island really doesn’t matter. How the kids get dragged to that island doesn’t matter and what they’re doing when they get there just doesn’t matter. And that’s okay.
Let me back up. The setup is really beautiful. No one likes dinosaurs anymore. No one cares. The dinosaurs who escaped in the previous movies are dying because of climate change. They are thriving near the equator.
So why do we care? Why should we care?
Danger baby! Despite a slower pacing Gareth Edwards remembers this is an amusement park ride and he uses shadow, silence and noises to great effect. The result is a nerve jangling experience where every foot forward, every ocean wave could mean death. And the visuals are spectacular.
There is enough fleshing out of characters to keep you involved and in the action. Are there serious flaws? Sure. Huge plot holes, at times lazy writing, dropped thoughts, relationships that don’t always make sense.
For all of that there dimly lit boats in coves, slimy slithery things snaking through water and enough dinosaur on dinosaur and dinosaur on human violence it will keep your attention and make you want to watch it some more.
Should you ever trust anyone who works with dinosaurs to watch your kids? Absolutely not. But you can take your kids to get them acclimated to how much fun jump scares on a big screen can be in a safe environment.
For all of its Flaws, “Jurassic World:Rebirth” is a fun ride. CPS or no CPS Reports.