Colin Trevorrow directs the latest installment in the sci-fi movie franchise. 20 years after the events that led to the demise of Jurassic Park, a new park has been opened on the same island. Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) runs the theme-park and is ultimately in charge of giving the consumers what they want. Claire describes in the film that every 2 years or so a new dinosaur needs to be introduced because of waning public interest. The newest addition to the park happens to be a genetically modified hybrid named Indominus Rex. The creature was created to satisfy the need for something “bigger and scarier,” as instructed by their focus groups (if you haven’t already guessed, this was not a good idea).
Claire’s nephews visit the park, as their parents begin working on their impending divorce. The children are “chaperoned” by one of Claire’s assistants for the day because their aunt is too busy managing the park. On the other side of the park Owen (Chris Pratt), the Velociraptor trainer, is asked for his expertise in accessing the infrastructure containing the Indominus Rex. Things go haywire when the infra-red scanners do not detect the beast in the containment.
Jurassic World pays tribute to the original film in many ways throughout the film. The nostalgic motif is evident from the beginning of the film to the very last scene. Another theme to the movie is greed. The theme park has essentially been created into a version of Disney World (wristbands, a Starbucks and IMAX theater and more) but with dinosaurs. The different attractions oddly seem believable. It does not seem that far-fetched to believe that in this insatiable society that even a theme park with dinosaurs might get boring to the masses.
Given that, there are many times throughout the film I found myself shaking my head because I was left dumbfounded by the stupidity of some. It’s like these characters have never watched a movie in their lives. For example, it’s not a good idea to continue roaming in the gyro sphere when main control tells you to come back to base. Furthermore, it’s an even worse decision to drive that vehicle into the restricted area. But then again, as my biology teacher used to say: “common sense is most uncommon.”
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I recently watched the original trilogy before watching this film. While viewing the first film, Jurassic Park (1993), I was still captivated by the then-cutting edge technology over 20 years after its theatrical release. After watching this film I can firmly say that the original is still the best movie of the franchise. I couldn’t help leaving the theater but with a general feeling of wanting more. Of thinking is that it? Did I miss an extra scene after the credits (there is no such scene)? Which in some ways mirrors the dilemma presented in the movie? I asked myself: Is a movie filled with dinosaurs not enough? I guess it’s not. Not when there are several holes in the plot. While somewhat disappointed by this film on some levels (including cliche plot-lines) I still think it’s worth watching in theaters.
The acting was adequate. The CGI was great. The real stars of this movie are the dinosaurs. They and the nostalgic scenes ultimately prove to be the saving grace to the blockbuster film. Overall, this is a good summer-type movie to get some popcorn and get lost for 2 hours. I think you will enjoy it. Just temper your expectations.
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (intense sequences of sci-fi violence and peril) *I would add some language and a sexual innuendo as well. This is not a film for young kids.
Running Time: 124 minutes
My Grade: B-
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