Movie Review: Jurassic World

The Dinos are back, with Steven Spielberg returning to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of “The Jurassic Park” film series. J.P. has his take on the new film, which stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Vincent D’Onofrio.

JURASSIC WORLD
Universal Pictures

Release Date: Friday, June 12, 2015 (Wide)

Rated: PG-13 (Parents Strongly Cautioned – Some Material May Be Inappropriate for Children Under 13) for intense sequences of science-fiction violence and peril.

Cast: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simkins, Nick Robinson, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, BD Wong, Judy Greer

Directed by: Colin Trevorrow

Studio Synopsis:
Steven Spielberg returns to executive produce the long-awaited next installment of his groundbreaking Jurassic Park series, Jurassic World. Colin Trevorrow directs the epic action-adventure based on characters created by Michael Crichton. The screenplay is by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver and Trevorrow & Derek Connolly, and the story is by Rick Jaffa & Amanda Silver. Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley join the team as producers.

J.P.’s Take:

Maybe it’s a good thing the geneticists at Jurassic Park didn’t learn their lesson. After all, we wouldn’t have this highly advanced, gleaming new theme park – um – film some 22 years later. If this is what John Hammond (the late Richard Attenborough, who appeared in 1993’s “Jurassic Park” and sequel 1997’s “The Lost World: Jurassic Park”) had envisioned, it surely beats out Disney World all to pieces. I could hear him now, “spare no expense.”

Interestingly enough, I find history repeating itself with “Jurassic World,” as it finds its footing with Steven Spielberg’s original creature feature “Jurassic Park.” The film is teaming with the same wondrous spirit and top shelf effects, with the focus on a new megalo-beast Indominus Rex, rather than the human characters. Judging by director Colin Trevorrow’s shot compositions, you can tell he’s worked closely with Spielberg. He understands how to highlight the right moments with the right camera move. He pulls objects in the foreground into focus and obscures the gorier scenes. He uses more suggestive camera motions to allow the shots to tell the story. Rather than a shower of blood and guts, he allows the blood splatters on the wall to do the talking. On the other hand, Trevorrow doesn’t shy away from the gruesomeness of the dino attacks. When the Indominus Rex goes on a rampage, you’re viewing its ferociousness dead on. As it sinks its teeth into its opponents or chomps down on some poor human prey, the camera doesn’t pull away.

Some of the more enjoyable moments involve those quick witted and deadly Velociraptors. You get a sense of how intelligent they are once again. Other fun scenes come from the pterodactyls flying over park goers like fighter planes. They swoop down on park patrons and carry them off into the wild blue yonder. Your hair will stand on end when brothers Zach and Gary Mitchell (Nick Robinson, Ty Simpkins) travel out into the dinos habitats in a human sized hamster ball and are stalked by the ominous Indominus. These classic touches make for an effective if hair raising adventure.

Another way “JW” mirrors its predecessor is in its plot design. Pleasing the consumers is at the heart of park owner Simon Masrani’s (Irrfan Khan) plan. Bigger, louder, more ferocious, even more violent beasts are what they crave, which he gives them. Masrani funds the hybridization of the Indominus Rex with Dr. Henry Wu (B.D. Wong) at the helm of the monster’s inception. Honestly, the story feels like its carved right out of the speech Dr. Ian Malcolm (played by Jeff Goldblum) gave his constituents about similar incidents that took place in “Jurassic Park.” We’re met with the same moral and ethical dilemma Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Malcolm faced then. We’ve learned that playing God is never a good thing.

What’s intriguing about “Jurassic World” is that it seems to shake off those events of the forerunner. Even though we’re presented with scenes of the old park facility, which lay in ruins as if it were a lost temple of sorts. On the other hand, it could be part of the attraction. I’m not sure. All in all the characters go along for the ride and so do the viewers. The interventions of InGen’s chief security officer Vic Hoskins (Vincent D’Onofrio) add to the dangers. He sees an opportunity to weaponize these prehistoric creatures. You’ll find many symbolisms here as you view onward.

I’m afraid character development doesn’t carry the same weight as that in “Jurassic Park.” Bryce Dallas Howard plays operations manager Claire Dearing, who would fall into the damsel in distress category. She is attractive to watch for sure, yet, she redeems herself in the last moments of the film. In fact, she goes through a harrowing adventure through dinosaur territory and rough terrain, where she manages to pull off some heroic deeds. Moreover, she does them all in heels through out the movie. Chris Pratt does manage to conjure Indiana Jones to some degree as Velociraptor aficionado Owen Grady. Although I found him slightly annoying with his know it all attitude, his character grew on me over time. Through out the film he manages to hit the right notes. I give kudos to the rest of the cast, which all have their duties to keep the story alive. I felt they did well.

It’s not until the end where we’re treated to a show down of the ages. Like King Kong vs. Godzilla, Indominus Rex faces off against a familiar brute. Ole T-Rex comes out of retirement with a little help from the Velociraptors. It’s something you’ll have to witness for yourselves. Despite some flimsy parts and roles, “Jurassic World” is far more enjoyable than “Jurassic Park III.” In fact had they not made part three, “Jurassic World” would be the perfect summation of the series.