“Jurassic World: Rebirth” Finds Dino Smash Fun In Thin Characterization
When the original Jurassic Park debuted in 1993, the world was stunned by incredibly realistic depictions of historically accurate dinosaurs. Based on the novel by Michael Crichton, Steven Spielberg’s impressive film is the perfect blend of adventure and science traversed by a well-rounded cast of complex yet relatable characters. Thirty-two years, five sequels, and two spinoff series later, we’re left to wonder if dinosaurs still have the power to capture our imagination. Does the giant T-Rex or raptor still feel like a deadly threat or do we genuinely long for more powerful teeth? Each sequel grapples with this question, concocting a string of increasingly menacing carnivores to terrorize a ragtag crew of scientists, capitalists, and civilians. Set in a world that’s grown weary of dinosaurs, Gareth Edwards’ Jurassic World: Rebirth eschews pitting human characters against a big bad dino antagonist and instead delivers a thrilling series of monster movie vignettes.
We begin with a world no longer enamored with dinosaurs. The legendary “terrible lizards” have slowly succumbed to our modern world and the reptilian survivors now cluster near the equator. But despite waning interest and a looming second extinction, there’s still money to be made from these miraculous beasts. Representing a faceless pharmaceutical company, Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) contracts a team of highly specialized mercenaries to gather samples from the three largest known species in hopes of creating a revolutionary treatment for heart disease. Zora (Scarlett Johansson) and Duncan (Mahershala Ali) embark on the mission with dollar signs in their eyes while paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) questions Kreb’s motivation. Along the way, they’re sidetracked by a family stranded in the open ocean when their sailboat is attacked by a rogue Mosasaurus. Forced ashore, the unlikely team must try to stay alive on an island overrun with—you guessed it—dinosaurs.
Any Jurassic Park movie lives and dies by its reptilian stars and Rebirth does not disappoint. An opening scene introduces us to lab workers generating hybrid monsters intended to dazzle with danger and recapture imagination. But chaos inevitably rears its ugly head and one of their more powerful creations decimates the facility. Seventeen years later, the island has been overrun by hordes of various dinosaurs, some from the park’s original lineup and some concocted through experimentation. From flying raptors and slinking snakes to a six-armed humanoid colossus, these hybrids bear little resemblance to traditional dinosaurs, moving the story further into fantasy horror territory.
In addition to these new man-eating monsters, several legacy dinosaurs do make an appearance. Our human team is first targeted by a massive Mosasaurus hunting alongside a team of Spinosauruses capable of killing in and out of the surf. This aquatic chase is perhaps the film’s most exciting scene filled with rushing water and gnashing teeth. The T-Rex also gets an extended sequence as we follow this fearsome hunter from a lazy midday nap to terrorizing prey down a rushing river. Though the circumstances that kick off this chase are slightly ridiculous, it’s fun to see our favorite predator back in action again. Rather than a showdown with the island’s final boss, Rebirth plays the hits, reuniting us with creatures from previous films while throwing in new nightmares along the way.
Unfortunately the human characters are far less thrilling. Johansson, Ali, and Bailey wring life out of archetypal roles, but they essentially exist to guide us through each dino vignette while presenting the film’s ethical theme. Friend is a compelling villain though he’s not doing anything particularly new. Running alongside this mercenary team is a family led by Reuben Delgado (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo). While battling deadly dinosaurs, this single father must contend with his older daughter’s lazy boyfriend who seems specifically written as cannon fodder. While mildly charming and occasionally funny, this treacly subplot grates the nerves and seems entirely contrived to put a child on the island.
Like any JP film, there are shocking and abrupt casualties, but Edwards seems to pull his punches and it’s glaringly obvious who will live and die. This safety is perhaps to be expected from an established franchise promising family fun. But Edwards misses an opportunity to do anything truly unique or say something of lasting value. Despite its flaws, Jurassic Park: Rebirth is a crowd-pleasing adventure with plenty of scares and enough dino smash fun to satisfy until the next sequel rolls around.
Jenn Adams is a writer, podcaster, and film critic from Nashville, TN. Find her social media nonsense @jennferatu.