• Release year: 2025
• Director: Gareth Edwards.
• Producers: Patrick Crowley and Frank Marshall.
• Screenplay by: David Koepp.
• Cinematography by: John Mathieson.
• Music by: Alexandre Desplat.

Shotgun Commentary: Jurassic World sequels find a way.

Review

Jurassic World: Rebirth is proof that, with enough tries, you can actually get a solid sequel out of a masterpiece. You’ll never achieve greatness of the original piece, so why try? Why not just have fun with it? And fun they’ve had. Luckily for you, the amusement is contagious, and you’ll have a blast if you want just that: a fun dinosaur movie.

A likely story

The film begins with mercenary Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) getting recruited to go to the very dangerous land of the dinosaurs. After some push and pull with corporate demon Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) about morality and principles, Zora rolls over the second she gets told her salary, which… kinda makes the prior conversation completely pointless, to be honest.

Straight after, mercenary Zora and evil Martin go recruit a palaeontologist. Dr. Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) –no, not that one–, the palaeontologist, goes through exactly the same process. Only at least he bothers to add an emotional value to his quest.

Once the band of misfits is born, they rescue a family (because what’s Jurassic World without a few kids whining in the background), and begin their mission. The operation consists in getting three samples: water dino, earth dino, and air dino. No fire dino, this ain’t Pokémon.

Simple as it seems, this errand provides the perfect opportunity for the water and air dinos to truly shine. No more being backup dancers for the T. rex or the lovable Raptors. The stage is theirs now. Thanks to that, you’ll learn that dinosaurs have a weird fixation with capsizing boats. Much like cats throwing cups off any surface they’re on, dinos can’t see a boat and not capsize it.

Not to mention that anyone who knows the least bit about dinosaurs knows that the aquatic ones are the truly terrifying. Could they have had more protagonism? Yes. Could they have made a whole blood-curling movie merely with them? Yes. Do they do it? No. Is it still worth watching on a big screen? Hell yes!

The bait

Let’s be real, the dinosaurs are an attraction for sure, but this instalment wouldn’t have had the same level of success without its cast. Scarlett Johansson is a name that attracts the masses, especially when she’s playing a badass. So get ready for more of what you know and love. Bennett is essentially all the vulnerable moments of the Black Widow (MCU, 2008–) compiled. Same personality, same attitude. Nevertheless, different hairstyle, so clearly a completely different character.

Her counterpart, Dr Loomis is played by Jonathan Bailey. He who attracts the portion of audience that was missing. After his rise to fame as the grumpy but lovable Anthony Bridgerton (Bridgerton, 2020–), Bailey has done nothing but become more and more popular with every project. As such, he has developed a significant following that might not otherwise go to a dino movie. Well played, Jurassic World: Rebirth, well played.

All in all, Jurassic World: Rebirth is a fun adventure movie, much like the original Jurassic Park (1993) was, only not as iconic. Nevertheless, it is still the most decent sequel of all, which is saying something considering how many there are. The cast is great, the special effects will surely be nominated in one awards gala or other in a few months, and the story is quite entertaining. Overall, no notes for this fun action flick.

Advice to take from this movie:

• Always bring the in-laws to sketchy trips, worst case scenario, you got bait.
• Don’t worry, if some dinos break loose and kill a bunch of people, you just need to wait 30 years and you’ll have pigmy versions. The perfect pet!
• Tired of the same ol’ Raptors? The blue isn’t doing it for you any more? How about Raptors with a double chin, then?

What’s your take? Have you watched Jurassic World: Rebirth? Don’t hesitate to let me know your thoughts in the comments section below, or leave a message in my contact page! For more reviews and cinema-related articles, check out the rest of my blog! 😀