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‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ Review: Dir. J.A. Bayona (2018)

Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom review: The 25th anniversary of Jurassic Park is here. 25 years, 5 films, and a billion-dollar empire jump-started by 2015’s soft reboot that became immensely popular. 

Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom review by Luke Ryan Baldock.

Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom review

Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom review

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, carries on that tale, with a lot more focus on cloning, genetic enhancement, and the acquisition of dinosaurs as weapons of war. Having survived all 5 films in the cinema, however, it’s strange just how confined this latest entry feels.

Returning as Owen Grady, Chris Pratt must return to Isla Nubar in order to help a rescue team save as many species as possible from a previously thought dormant volcano. Grady is the same as before, but fewer wisecracks, as he barely has time to develop nor utter a word, with plenty of action scenes to keep him busy. His on-again-off-again relationship with Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) is once again off-again, putting us back to the start of the previous film. The real emotional crutch is the bond between Grady and Blue, the incredibly intelligent raptor he trained from a baby. Some of the most impactful sequences are video clip flashbacks of the training process. It adds a little bit of heart that is sorely needed in a film more focused on mayhem than survival.

The major theme here is whether or not these animals deserve the same rights as other endangered species. Does something we created that poses a threat to our existence have a right to life? It’s something that remains at the film’s core throughout, and although doesn’t spend enough time with the humans, does at least make you angry at both pro and anti dinosaur activists. The dinosaurs are brought brilliantly to life, and we both feel for them and fear them.

Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom review

Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom review

There are two major issues that plague this installment, the first being that everything is in the trailer. There are a few last minute twists dropped in towards the end, but trailers have even revealed some of the very last shots of the film, along with the resolution to every scene of suspense. The second problem, and one that has been present since the second film is the use of moustache twirling villains. The original film had a few suspect characters but mostly focused on a likable bunch avoiding death. The modus operandi of Fallen Kingdom is to have the audience cheer and laugh at every severed limb and devoured foe. There is no point in a cast of characters being killed off if we don’t care for them, and with our heroes being immune to munching thanks to deus ex dinosaurier, and thankfully placed obstacles, it becomes a checklist of ways to off the bad men.

Related: Jurassic World review

That’s not to say Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom doesn’t have its moments. In fact, there are a number of well-executed set pieces and memorable shots, even if most of them have been shown in the promotional material. The opening is chilling and brought back memories of the original’s “Shoot her,” sequence. The volcano eruption is exciting, though some needless comedy interrupts the urgency, and the final third becomes a haunted house with dinosaurs, being more reminiscent of locked down zombie films than it is a Jurassic Park film.

As a bone-crunching B-movie, Director J.A. Bayona checks all the boxes for a fun and gruesome time. He crafts some wonderful moments but does occasionally get bogged down in fan service. I’m not sure exactly how many last minute T-Rex saves we need, but Rexy’s agent must have negotiated for a larger role. There is threat – if only aimed at the most deplorable of people – and moments that will satisfy those craving action or horror. It may be missing the majesty and execution of the first, but the promising sequel bait suggests this franchise will find a way.

Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom review by Luke Ryan Baldock, June 2017.

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is released in UK cinemas on 6th June 2018.

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