In the new film Jurassic World, we are transported to Isla Nublar, the infamous island off Costa Rica that is home to the Jurassic World theme park. The park is a realization of former InGen head John Hammond’s dream of bringing dinosaurs to life. Now that the park has been open for 10 years, attendance is starting to wane. Parkgoers are demanding a bigger bang for their buck. Corporate sponsors want to put their name on the newest, biggest and best attractions at the park, and the scientists melding together dino DNA have created such a phenomenal creature that they just may have taken things a bit too far.
Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) heads up park operations. Whether it is handling the new investors or just making sure the park is running smoothly on a daily basis, she appears composed at every turn. Her two nephews from Wisconsin come to the park for a weekend trip and she is determined to show them a good time. However, her job forces her to pass the boys off to her assistant, and the boys start exploring without her.
The park’s new benefactor, Masrani (Irrfan Khan), is there to see his newest dinosaur, the Indominus rex, a genetically modified hybrid. The main component in this massive creature is the size and massive body of a Tyrannosaurus rex. The DNA has been combined with that of other animals to create unique characteristics and something that hasn’t been seen before. With the proposed opening of the exhibit for the new Rex, Masrani wants one more vote of confidence from Owen (Chris Pratt), a naval security expert on the island.
Owen and Claire seem to have a history, albeit a brief one. When Claire arrives to ask for his help on the project, you can see that they are not necessarily two peas in a pod, though they may have tried to be. Together they take a look at the new exhibit, but something is wrong. The Rex seems to be gone from the enclosure. Chaos ensues as the staff frantically tries to locate the massive creature. None of them realizes just how dangerous and frenetic things are about to become for the visitors on Isla Nublar.
If you journey to Jurassic World, there are things you need to know, and I’m here to help you learn them.
The dinosaurs are still pretty darn cool. The visuals that have held up in all of the films in the series are pretty impressive here. The dinosaurs in all their iterations are stunning to look at. No question in my mind — the dinosaurs don’t disappoint.
I enjoyed the characters brought to the screen by Pratt and Howard. They had their own personality quirks that enhanced the onscreen dynamic. Even though the dialogue they were forced to recite often lent a feeling of cheesiness to the entire project, Pratt’s coolness and Howard’s aloofness were always present.
The real problem with the film is the reliance on a crazy set of circumstances and that sometimes laughable dialogue. Sure, I expect plot holes in a movie of this magnitude. Sure, I expect dialogue that’s painful to hear. But in the years since we journeyed to Jurassic Park for the first time, we have come to expect more out of a movie of this size and scope.
But let’s face it: Get a large bucket of popcorn, the biggest vat of soda and go to the biggest screen you can find to see the film. It will be a good time at the movies. The dinosaurs still rock! Just don’t think too hard and don’t expect the magic of the original and you’ll be just fine.
Jurassic World
Rated: PG-13
Stars: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard,
Ty Simpkins
Director: Colin Trevorrow
Grade: BIn