Jurassic World Dominion is the best film in the franchise since the original Jurassic Park.
A decently crafted film about dinosaurs is always worth the watch. Dinosaurs are a major staple of fasicination and intrigue of children, and often times still the ultimte source of nostalgia for many. Aside from single-cell organisms, dinosaurs are as nostalgic as you can get. while many would agree that no dinosaur film matches the incredible story and artistry of the original Jurassic Park, the Jurassic World franchise does a serviceable job of continuing the legacy, albeit to mixed reception, especially with Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. However, I feel a majority of fans enjoy Jurassic World Dominion and find that it brings the franchise full circle.
Jurassic World Dominion Brings it Back to the Beginning
Jurassic World Dominion is the 6th installment of the franchise, and takes place years after the events of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Dinosaurs have been let loose into the world and have begun trying to live in the modern world. While some have been able to find a place for themselves, many do not fit in to the present ecosystems and have been rounded up and sanctuaried in a preserve run by the genetics company Biosyn. Biosyn is actively rescuing dinosaurs and providing them with a habitat to live away from humanity, to be protected and studied in an isolate environemnt.
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Despite the altruistic efforts to save the world from dinosaurs, Biosyn is attempting to control the world through genetic maipulation and manufacturing, which very much a super villain plot. To do so, they require Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon) and the offspring of the famed raptor Blue, as these perfect clones hold the key into total DNA/genetic manipulation. The kidnapping of Maisie and Baby Blue, who are both under the watch and care of Own Grady Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) and (Chris Pratt), bring them into the fold. While their shady genetic practices bring in Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and Dr. Ian Malcom (Jeff Goldblum).
Biosyn inevitably acts as the driving force that unites the cast and characters of Jurassica Park and Jurassic World into the grand adventure of Jurassic World Dominion.
A Surprising Direction
While dinosaurs are undoubtedly a major part or draw of the franchise, and this film, they aren’t the the inciting incident in Jurassic World Dominion. The sitaution from Fallen Kingdom is largely handled, as the dinosaurs who could not fit into the world’s ecostystems have been given sanctuary at Biosyn’s facilities, and the rest seem to be doing okay, only causing minor inconveniences and provide photo ops like any other animal out in the wild. Instead, the major villainous presence this time around, aren’t really the dinosuars, but genetically altered locusts that threaten the world’s food supply.
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Dinosaurs are still very much a part of Jurassic World Dominion, however they seem to be a part of this world and no longer the inciting incident. They still present real and pressing danger, and provides great horror and danger to the film’s characters. But despite their presence, Jurassic World Dominion feels like a an action-spy movie. There are rescue operations, stealth infiltration, corporate espionage, it feels like a spy movie, but there aren’t any actual spies, or assassins. Instead, dinosaurs tend to be the ones who do the dirtry work of the villains. It’s different, but I think it works very well for the world of the franchise.
The Dinosaurs are Still The Draw
(from left) A Giganotosaurus and a T.rex in Jurassic World Dominion, co-written and directed by Colin Trevorrow. (from left) A Pyroraptor, Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise) and Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) in Jurassic World Dominion, co-written and directed by Colin Trevorrow. Bryce Dallas Howard as Claire Dearing in Jurassic World Dominion, co-written and directed by Colin Trevorrow.
While the characters play out a rather unlikely spy film, the dinosaurs are still very much the draw of the movie. Not since the original Jurassic Park has the wonder and genuine magnificence of these prehistoric creatures been captured. The heavy use of practical effects enhanced by CGI is breath-taking. Something I feel all of the other films, since the original, have kind of glossed over. Jurassic World Dominion reminds us that, seeing these creatures living and breathing is miraculous. These non longer existing creatures are brought to life for our amusement and is far mor than worthy of our attention.
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Then on top of just their best renderings and presentation since Jurassic Park, Jurassic World Dominion also capitalizes on what Jurassic World did, and bring us epic dinosaur fights. Giant creatures having it out are always great entertainment. Especially creatures with so much history and association. Dominion does not create new dinosaurs this tiem around, but it does introduce us to the Theriznosauras and the newly discovered largest carniverous dinosaur, the Giganotosaurus. Without giving specifics, Dominion does decide who is king of the dinosaurs.
The Therizinosauras was easily the most fascinating of all the dinosaurs. It is desiged on modern understandings of dinosaurs and their extinction/evolution. The Therizinosauras is extremely bird-like, down to its beak and feathers, but still felt like a beast from another world. The scene teased with it and Bryce Dallas Howard’s Clair is one of the best scenes in the film. Perfectly shot, no dialogue, just pure wonder and terror. Moments like this, are found throughout the film and really highlight the incredible effects, sound, and cinematogrophy behind the film. Regardless on how some feel about the story, these factors cannot be denied.
The Humans Are Pretty Cool Too
(from left) Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon) and Kayla Watts (DeWanda Wise) in Jurassic World Dominion, co-written and directed by Colin Trevorrow. (from left) A baby Nasutoceratops, Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) and Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) in Jurassic World Dominion, co-written and directed by Colin Trevorrow.
Not to be eaten up by their dinosuar counterparts, the humans of the films are also pretty cool. Though they are definitely both high and low points. Performance wise, I would say they all played their parts splendidly. DeWanda Wise as Kayla Watts, Dichen Lachman as Soyona Santos, and Mamoudou Athie as Ramsay Cole, absolute killed it in their roles, bringing new and dynamic characters to the franchise. Then of course there’s Jeff Goldbloom, Laura Dern, Sam Neill, Isabella Sermon, Chris Pratt, and Bryce Dallas Howard reprising their characters. It was a great work all around.
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While all the performers delivered great performances, the characters haven’t really developed. As incredible as it is to reunite Goldblum, Neill, and Dern, their characters haven’t seemed to change much despite their new situations. While Sermon’s Maisie Lockwood gets a lot more to do this film, Pratt and Howard’s characters haven’t seem to have changed at all despite their new responsibility. The characters feel more like archetypes than people. Which works for the film, but also probbably why some people will harp on it.
From High-Art to Gimmicky Dinosaur Movie to Returning to the Art
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom did leave many fans wanting. The film kind of gets into the silly area and, to many, undercuts the prestige of the franchise. The original Jurassic Park is essentially seen as high-art that has mass appeal, while the other films are largely regardes as popcorn flicks. Jurassic World did seem to ride the line, but Fallen Kingdom in comparison is full on popcorn. It largely relied on the gimmick of dinosaurs rather than utilizing them for story. Jurassic World Dominion, I feel brings it back to where it was at World with a lean more into the high art of the original.
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Jurassic World had a tongue in cheek awareness to it, one that knew it was a corporate play to exploit a franchisea and nostalgia. It manifested that corporate greed into the Indominus Rex. But, eventually conquered it with the tried and true Tyranosaurus Rex. Jurassic World Dominion once again has the subte genius tongue-in-cheek awareness and achieves another symbolic victory of art over the evil of corporate greed. it’s done in a number of ways, but by far my favorite way is by the overuse of the Owen Grady Raptor Hand Gesture. This subtle, but biting, awareness has to be attributed to Trevorrow because it was sorelely missed in Fallen Kingdom.
The End of the Jurassic Era
The only weak aspects of the movie, are the lack of depth and follow through of the characters. Which, in a broad sense, doesn’t directly hurt the story. However, it does prevent it from really being a great film. The franchise’s longevity is a hindrance that will have audiences expecting a bit more from these characters that many have quite literally grown up with. While I feel the film services them well enough, it is hard not to be greedy and want more. Especially from characters like BD Wong’s Dr. Henry Wu.
Without giving much away, Dr. Henry Wu has been there since the beginning. His throughline throughout the six films and his potential are never capitalized on. He is serviced well enough in the film, but his potential is clearly wasted. Perhaps there will be a Cretaceous Era to follow this where Dr. Wu and the others can reach their potential.
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Jurassic World Dominion is the best film of the franchise since the original Jurassic Park. It reignites the wonder and awe of these prehistoric creatures, showcasing the magic and possiblities of special effects to brings things to life. It takes the franchise in a new direction, somehow pulling off a spy movie in world that has a sizeable dinosaur population. It perfectly rides the nostalgia line to pay homage and recapture the awe and wonder of the original and follow all the storylines from all of the films into one epic and final conclusion. end of the Jurassic Era.
For being a fun film, masterful filmmaking, and because itreignites the wonder not since felt since Jurassic Park, I give Jurassic World Dominion a 3.5/5.
Jurassic World Dominion releases in theaters on June 10, 2022. Tickets are availble now.
ABOUT JURASSIC WORLD DOMINION
Release Date: June 10, 2022
Directed by: Colin Trevorrow
Written by: Colin Trevorrow, Emily Carmichael, Derek Connolly
Cast: Mamoudou Athie, Chris Pratt, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Scott Haze, Bryce Dallas Howard, Dichen Lachman, Sam Neill, Daniella Pineda, Isabella Sermon, Justice Smith, Omar Sy, DeWanda Wise, BD Wong
Synopsis:
From Jurassic World architect and director Colin Trevorrow, Dominion takes place four years after Isla Nublar has been destroyed. Dinosaurs now live—and hunt—alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with history’s most fearsome creatures.
Do you already have your tickets to watch Jurassic World Dominion? Which film so far is your favorite? What is your favorite dinosaurs? Let us know what you think in the comments below and share your favorite scenes and moments from the franchise with us on Twitter.
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