JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH: A Classic Summer Blockbuster Adventure

A covert mission to retrieve dino DNA goes horribly wrong when humans come face-to-face with monstrous, mutated dinosaurs. Serving as the seventh installment in the beloved Jurassic Park franchise, Jurassic World Rebirth feels like a much-needed reset for the series and a fun throwback to classic Jurassic adventures.

It’s been 32 years since InGen brought dinosaurs back, and while they once roamed freely, they are facing re-extinction due to the new global climate. Now, only a small population remains on islands near the equator, with humans banned from venturing to their location.

But when a pharmaceutical company looks to capture DNA from some of the largest dinosaur species, mission specialist Zora (Scarlett Johansson) is recruited alongside paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) and others to secure the samples.

What they don’t realize is they’re about to set foot on a remote island inhabited by some of science’s most cruel and vicious experiments.

Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp, Jurassic World Rebirth regains that adventurous tone of the original Jurassic Park trilogy, scaling back the bloated action and narratives that I felt the Jurassic World trilogy suffered through. As someone who did not fully enjoy the Prattaceous era, this film feels more like a mix of The Lost World: Jurassic Park and Jurassic Park III.

One thing I do find exhaustive of this Jurassic World series is the concept that humans have lost interest in dinosaurs. They’ve tried to push this narrative since the first film while showcasing a packed themed park with excited onlookers. And it certainly didn’t need to be brought up again in this film—mostly isolated to the beginning—as it doesn’t pertain to much of the film’s overall story.

But this film doesn’t harp on that for too long and quickly jumps into those old-school explorer thrills that are perfect for a summer blockbuster. And going back to the jungle allows for some fun, suspenseful moments entangled in the lush surroundings.

While not overly original, I did like the continuation of exploring what monstrosities scientists would conjure up when in the hands of powerful genetics. Leave it to humans to make the most ferocious beings even bigger and badder. Our protagonists end up on an island filled with hybrid dinosaurs, including the big bad of the film, the colossal D-rex.

The cast is undoubtedly a highlight for the film. Led by Johansson, Bailey, and Mahershala Ali, the trio portrays somewhat differing personalities, but there’s a thread that ties their affinity for exploration together. They are essentially our new Alan, Ellie, and Ian. Their backstories and personas are introduced without heavy exposition, just enough for you to connect with them. And as they journey further into their mission, you grow to care for each of them individually.

A former student of the famed Alan Grant, Bailey’s Dr. Loomis is the perfect quirky scientist with a deep-rooted love for these animals. For the muscle, we have both Johansson and Ali, who have a history with one another, again, not overly explained, but just enough for you to care for their friendship. Though Ali is perhaps the standout of the bunch, as he exudes that action star aura, commanding every scene.

But there are a few new characters that didn’t quite land as well for me. Early on in the film, we’re introduced to Reuben (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), a father sailing with his two daughters (played by Luna Blaise and Audrina Miranda) and his eldest’s unlikable boyfriend (David Iacono). When their boat capsizes due to the aquatic dinosaurs, they’re rescued by the aforementioned explorers, eventually landing ashore on the dino-infested island, separated from the others.

This is by no means a testament to the actors’ portrayals; their performances are fine. But every conflict that arises around them feels so silly, and they are frustratingly incompetent. And this is nothing completely new for the franchise, I mean Jurassic Park III has some ill-equipped folks, but this family just wasn’t super entertaining to watch, so I could have done without them being a large focus.

Jurassic World Rebirth is as the title says. It’s a rebirth for the franchise. It feels like an exciting quest that’s only elevated by an endearing cast of characters. A summer blockbuster adventure it is, and when that iconic John Williams’ score wells up, you can’t help but feel welcomed back to Jurassic Park.

Jurassic World Rebirth is in theaters July 2