Jurassic World Rebirth Is "Engineered Entertainment" Enough to Save the Franchise?

Jurassic World Rebirth: Scarlett Johansson in New Chapter - A Thrilling but Familiar Roar

The Jurassic Park franchise, a cornerstone of blockbuster cinema for over three decades, roars back to life with Jurassic World Rebirth. But does Gareth Edwards' new installment offer a fresh perspective, or is it simply treading familiar ground? The film, starring Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, attempts to recapture the magic of the original while introducing new threats and characters.

As Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), the film's paleontologist, aptly observes, the public's appetite for the same old dinosaurs has waned. This drives the fictional InGen corporation to create "engineered entertainment" through crossbreeding new species. Ironically, this sentiment mirrors the film itself – a blend of nostalgia and new elements.

While Jurassic World Rebirth undeniably delivers on action, excitement, and thrilling encounters with colossal creatures, much of the narrative feels like a rehash of past installments. Think of it as a well-executed cover song – enjoyable, but lacking the spark of originality.

However, it's hard not to feel a pang of sympathy for the monstrous creations, particularly the Distortus Rex (D. Rex), a hulking hybrid with a beluga whale-like head. The film subtly explores the ethical implications of playing God, showcasing the consequences of manipulating nature.

Key Highlights:

• Release Date: Wednesday, July 2
• Director: Gareth Edwards
• Screenwriter: David Koepp (based on characters created by Michael Crichton)
• Cast: Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Ed Skrein, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, Audrina Miranda, Philippine Velge, Bechir Sylvain
• Rating: PG-13
• Runtime: 2 hours 14 minutes

David Koepp, who co-wrote the original Jurassic Park (1993) and its sequel, The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997), returns to pen this new chapter. The film draws heavily from the first and third installments, resulting in a strong sense of déjà vu. But whatever it lacks in originality, it attempts to compensate through narrative drive and appealing characters.

A Shift in Direction:

• Jurassic World (2015): A strong start to the second trilogy.
• Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom: Praised for its inventive haunted-house elements.
• Jurassic World Dominion: Criticized for lacking creative spark and shifting towards generic action-adventure.

Rebirth attempts to course-correct by returning to the franchise's core strengths.

The premise picks up after Jurassic World Dominion, where humans and dinosaurs are attempting to coexist. However, Earth's atmosphere proves hostile to the resurrected creatures, forcing many to migrate to a tropical zone mirroring their native Mesozoic Era climate, an area now off-limits to tourism.

The film's plot revolves around an illegal expedition led by Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend), a Big Pharma executive seeking DNA from the largest dinosaurs to develop revolutionary heart disease medication. He enlists Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), a former special forces operative turned mercenary, and Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali), a resourceful boat captain, for the dangerous mission.

Adding to the mix is a family sailing trip gone awry, featuring Reuben Delgado (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) and his daughters, Teresa (Luna Blaise) and Isabella (Audrina Miranda). Their encounter with a mosasaurus sets off a chain of events that intertwines their fate with the expedition team.

Visually, Jurassic World Rebirth is stunning. Shot on 35mm film with Panavision cameras and anamorphic lenses, the jungles of Thailand, standing in for the fictional Isle Saint-Hubert, are breathtaking. Dynamic cinematography amplifies the tension as the characters navigate the perilous environment.

Director Edwards pays homage to Steven Spielberg's original, particularly in the open water sequences reminiscent of Jaws. The film seamlessly blends practical locations, sets, and CGI, resulting in impressive visual effects, especially when showcasing the dinosaurs.

One of the standout sequences involves the characters' encounter with a valley full of grazing titanosauruses. This scene evokes the sense of wonder and awe that defined the original Jurassic Park. Alexandre Desplat's score effectively enhances both the action and the tender moments.

Ultimately, Jurassic World Rebirth may not revolutionize the franchise, but it delivers a thrilling and visually spectacular experience. It's a nostalgic trip back to the world of cloned dinosaurs, filled with enough action and suspense to satisfy longtime fans. While the film may echo familiar themes, it succeeds in reigniting the primal excitement that made Jurassic Park a cinematic phenomenon. It's a roar, perhaps not entirely new, but undeniably captivating.

Tags: Jurassic World, Jonathan Bailey, Paleontologist, Dinosaurs, Biotech, Monsters, Action, Entertainment, Cloned, Movie, Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Gareth Edwards, David Koepp

Source: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/jurassic-world-rebirth-review-scarlett-johansson-1236302373/