Jurassic World Rebirth
Jurassic World Rebirth
Stars: Scarlett Johanson, Maharshala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo and Ed Skerin
Director: Gareth Edwards
Scriptwriter: David Koepp
Composer: Alexandre Desplat
Cinematography: John Mathieson
Amblin Entertainment/Universal Pictures
Rating: PG 13
Running Length: 135 Minutes
Anyone who first saw the 1993 “Jurassic Park” that originated from Michael Crichton’s novel, knows how your bones can literally turn cold stone as you see a gentle but gigantic dinosaur calmly munching tree leaves over your head. The height of an office building was putting it mildly, and then there was the Tyrannosaurus Rex, all tonnage with fangs and claws that froze you in your theater seat and your popcorn ended up on the theater floor. Now, several “Jurassic Park” films later, we have a new version of the story, this time by David Koepp. Humans needing dinosaur help? Well, it is not for circus rides, it is for medicinal purposes. Hmm.
It seems as though, years ago (here we go again) a secret laboratory was set up on a distant island by the Eastern Coast of the United States. Its purpose was to clone dinosaurs, for whatever reason. Of course, it went awry and years later, the prehistoric animals that still live are in danger. The earth’s atmosphere is becoming hostile to them and mankind isn’t doing so well, either. What to do? Enter Scarlett Johansson, here as Zora Bennett, an expect in getting in and out of tight places. Jonathan Bailey ("Bridgerton") is also here. The monetary source is ParkerGenix. Zora’s team wants to track down and get dinosaur samples. Good luck there. The base is De Saint-Hubert and the team must work from there. They do manage to get some samples and the first one is Mosasaurus, but not before finding a shipwrecked family on the island (wrong turn?) that includes father (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), daughters Teresa (Luna Blaise) and EIsabella (Audrina Miranda), plus the boyfriend, Xavier (David Iacono)
If you like chase scenes, this is for you. There are escapes that are handled well including a bird nest, but we still remember the first film and the children trying to hide in kitchen cabinets from fanged and clawed creatures. The action sequences here are very good as is the cinematography by John Mathieson bringing it all to life before your eyes. Alexandre Desplat puts a chill on you when you match music with action and suspense.
So, in the final count this is a good-enough prehistoric-meets-modern day to keep the box office happy and acting is fine. Just have a weapon, know how to run, and eyes in the back of your head. Athletic Scarlett Johannson from “Black Widow” is quite the action figure. I was satisfied, but it does make one wonder if and how or when, another Jurassic Park could be done? What would be the premise then? With healthy humans and prehistoric animals, it could end up like “How To Train Your Dragon” in which everyone has a pet dragon and life goes on. How about a T-Rex in the back pasture and instead of a rooster, have the “Rex” roar at dawn?”
Just thinking.
Three Tocks
Copyright 2025 Marie Asner
