"Change is like Death. You never know what it looks like, until you're standing at the Gates." Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Review

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

3.5/5

Directed by: J.A. Bayona

Rated: PG-13

          Dinosaurs live. Genetically modified and created from DNA strands recovered from ancient mosquitos, dinosaurs were brought back by humans and for humans' amusement. They were bread for the purpose of entertaining at the theme park Jurassic World, but they were unleashed by unprepared hands. After the fall of Jurassic World, dinosaurs have been left to grow and multiply on the island of Isla Nublar. However, Isla Nublar's inaccurately classified dormant volcano is about to rain fire down on the island and wipe away humanity's most unnatural creations. Across the world the debate rages on; since these dinosaurs can't be put back in the box, should they be rescued or perish?
           From J.A. Bayona, director of A Monster Calls, comes the next exciting adventure in the Jurassic Park saga, and the second installment in the Jurassic World series. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is a thrilling tale full of danger, action, laughs and shock and awe. The main standout aspects from this film are its leading reptiles from many years ago, the dinosaurs. Pat Crowley (producer) claims, this film's audiences "will see more dinosaurs than [they've] ever seen in all the other Jurassic movies combined." While most audiences who have seen the previous Jurassic Park movies will except this film's large collection of dinosaurs to be amazing as usual, these dinosaurs have a few new features and surprises. Each dinosaur has its own unique personality, making them feel like something more than just monsters or animals. This allows some audience members to make personal beautiful connections with some dinosaurs more than others. The various unique dinosaurs showcased in this film range from being ferocious, timid, clever, dopey, divine, destructive, magnificent and malicious. These dinosaurs also feel lifelike, because they were not only created through well designed CGI but also stunning practical effects.
           Aside from Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom's characterized collection of dinosaurs, this film also features an interesting cast of human characters. Chris Pratt stars as the intrepid dinosaur trainer, Owen. His performance is full of charm and genuine heart, which is something most audiences have come to expect from MTV's 2018 Generation Award winner. Accompanying Pratt is Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire, the former naïve workaholic operations manager of Jurassic World turned courageous rights advocate for the park's dinosaurs. Howard's sentimentality is a good match for Pratt's earnestness and it sufficiently justifies their characters' love interests. Joining these two are Justice Smith as the typographic nerdy hacker character Franklin Webb, and Daniella Pineda as the typographic animal rights girl, Zia Rodriguez. Though both are typical portrayals of certain character types, these two personas add worthwhile humor and thrills that Pratt and Howard could not supply on their own. There are also three antagonistic human characters, which make up more than enough of a challenge for this film's contrasting heroes. Rafe Spall is the wealthy and insipid Eli Mills, Ted Levine is the no nonsense mercenary captain Ken Wheatley and the indomitable Toby Jones is the malicious merchant Mr. Eversol.
           While this abundance of characters can make the screenplay seem a little too overabundant, the film surprisingly rarely drags. This is primarily due to this film's fast paced directing and pacing, moving as quickly as it can to its next thrilling adventurous moment. While this can put some audiences in a daze and make them wish the film went slower and let them catch up, most audiences may not mind this film's charging speed. What most audiences will mind is this film's somewhat imprecise editing, often jumping from one location to the next, without sufficient time or enough expositional shots. While it is difficult telling where this film is going next, from its untouched jungles to its gothic human abodes, once audiences arrive at these locations most will not mind the bumpy ride. This film's bumpy pacing can also be overlooked, as this film's scenes are humorous, adventurous and downright scary when they need to be. These moments are also paralleled well by an exceptional orchestral score from composer Michael Giacchino. It all adds up to Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom being a well directed film that propels the Jurassic Park series forward into the future.
           Far more important than this film's depiction of its dinosaurs, balancing of its characters and handling of its technical aspects is this film's ability to inspire wonder in and of itself. The Jurassic Park franchise is famous for combing bone rattling terror with wide eyed spectacle, and Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom carries on this proud legacy. Not only does this film stand up tall alongside its predecessors, it also stands on its own two clawed feet. Thanks to a noteworthy young character, played exceptionally well by newcomer Isabella Sermon, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom gives its younger audiences a character with whom they can identify, someone who is seeing dinosaurs for their first time. This film acknowledges its fans of the series' first four movies and its first time park attendees, making Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom rise above most of the sequels currently playing in theatres.

Verdict: J.A. Bayona's Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is an adventurous experience full of unnatural spectacle, unique charm and genuine scares making it a thrilling experience for long time fans and newcomers alike.