The Jurassic Park film franchise, now in its seventh installment with Jurassic World Rebirth, appears to be showing signs of fatigue. Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp, this latest entry struggles to inject fresh energy into a series that has captivated audiences for over three decades. Released with a runtime of 134 minutes and a PG-13 rating, the film is laden with intense sequences of violence and action but fails to deliver the excitement fans have come to expect.
Picking up several years after Jurassic World Dominion, the film attempts to navigate a new narrative direction but ends up mired in predictability. The plot centers on Martin Krebs, a big pharma executive played by Rupert Friend, who seeks to harness dinosaur DNA to develop a cure for heart disease. He enlists the help of Zora Bennett, portrayed by Scarlett Johansson, to lead an expedition to an abandoned island once home to an InGen research facility. However, the storyline, which includes a subplot involving the Delgado family, lacks cohesion and depth, leaving audiences wanting more.
A Struggle for Originality
The announcement of Jurassic World Rebirth was met with anticipation, yet the film fails to deliver on its promise of revitalizing the franchise. Gareth Edwards, known for his visual storytelling, stages impressive action sequences, but the lack of a compelling narrative undermines these efforts. The film’s script, penned by Koepp, suffers from diverging plot lines that fail to converge in a meaningful way.
The film’s central conflict involves the survival of dinosaurs in tropical climates, a premise that could have explored new ecological themes. Instead, it rehashes familiar tropes, with dinosaurs once again becoming extinct due to environmental incompatibility. This narrative choice feels like a missed opportunity to delve into more innovative storytelling.
Character Development: A Missed Opportunity
One of the film’s most significant shortcomings is its lack of character development. The ensemble cast, including Jonathan Bailey as Dr. Henry Loomis and Mahershala Ali as Duncan Kincaid, is given little to work with. Their characters are underdeveloped, resembling archetypes from earlier films without the depth needed to make them memorable.
The Delgado family, caught in the crossfire of the dinosaur chaos, is similarly nondescript. Teresa Delgado, played by Luna Blaise, and her family members are introduced but not sufficiently fleshed out. The film hints at a romantic subplot between Bennett and Dr. Loomis, but it ultimately goes nowhere, leaving viewers with unresolved tension.
Visuals and Action: A Saving Grace
Despite its narrative flaws, Jurassic World Rebirth excels in its visual presentation. The film’s cinematography, led by John Mathieson, captures the grandeur of the prehistoric creatures with sharp precision. The visual effects team deserves credit for bringing the dinosaurs to life, particularly in a standout sequence involving a Tyrannosaurus Rex chasing a river raft, a nod to Michael Crichton’s original novel.
However, while the action sequences are visually stunning, they lack the emotional weight needed to engage the audience fully. The characters involved in these scenes are often introduced moments before, leaving little room for audience investment in their fates.
The Future of the Franchise
Jurassic World Rebirth raises questions about the future direction of the franchise. With a budget of $180 million, the film feels like a high-stakes gamble that doesn’t fully pay off. The decision to focus on mutant dinosaur hybrids over traditional dinosaurs may alienate long-time fans, as it shifts the series away from its roots.
Critics and audiences alike have noted the film’s inability to answer critical plot questions, such as the existence of an undiscovered island and the origins of the mutant dinosaurs. These unresolved threads contribute to a sense of narrative disarray that leaves viewers unsatisfied.
As the franchise moves forward, it faces the challenge of reinvigorating its storytelling while honoring its legacy. Whether future installments can achieve this balance remains to be seen, but Jurassic World Rebirth serves as a cautionary tale of the risks of prioritizing spectacle over substance.
About The Author
