There's a moment very early on in Jurassic World in which the classic theme from the first film roars into play as the camera zooms over the island of Isla Nublar, but unfortunately fails to live up to that same sensation that graced the audiences of the 1993 classic either way back when or in more recent showings of it in variable dimensions. That sort of sums up how the latest instalment in the Jurassic Park franchise (the last instalment was in 2001 with the aptly titled Jurassic Park III) fits in by comparison of its spearhead, and with only one actor returning to the franchise this time and Steven Spielberg relocated to the producer credit as with the previous film, it's time to see whether the re-opening of the park gates was worth all the time it took for the fourth film to materialise.
22 years from the unfortunate events which conspired against Dr Grant, Ian Malcolm et al, the park is now and truly open and has been for a good number of years. Unfortunately, the exciting aspect of animals being brought back from extinction no longer appeals to audiences, with tourist numbers spiking when a new species is added to the roster. This time however, park operations manager Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) has opted towards creating a new breed of dinosaur to appeal to the masses, with Dr. Wu (B.D. Wong, the only returning actor) inevitably creating something bigger, better and "with more teeth" than the Tyrannosaurus Rex - the Indominus Rex ("it needed to be something a four year old could say"). But it turns out to be smarter than anyone had imagined and tricks its way out of confinement and begins to kill for sport. As such, the populated island must be protected - including Zach and Gary Mitchell (Nick Robinson and Ty Simpkins), Claire's nephews - and Chris Pratt's velociraptor trainer/expert must lead the action to take down the mammoth beast. All whilst also having to face Vincent D'Onofrio's security officer, who wishes to take the dinosaurs onto the battlefield.
The film is a monster of a movie, in which it plays less into the adventurous aspects that many may expect from a modern blockbuster and instead tackles the frights and scares of a tame horror film - there are plenty of scary moments, but nothing which outright frightens you. But what it makes up for in that aspect is through those moments of pure excitement, including a grand setpiece revolving around the pterosaurs and a certain aquatic creature which just screams Jaws homage. Those moments aren't often - they certainly take a while to appear after a somewhat slow first act but burst onto the scene once the second comes to play and the action returns to the park itself - but do tend to be joyous on every occasion. But with the big bad of the story often hidden in the shadows for the first two acts (although not to the same extent as last year's Godzilla) comes instead a story focusing on a band of human characters which sadly aren't as interesting as the first film.
As expected, you can have a lot of fun with Chris Pratt as Owen, as his star continues to shine through his otherwise one-note character. He has the occasional quip and plays as the smart one in the grand schemes of things, and his hunter act is done well thanks to the actor's experience in the field. He's a better version of the hunter from the first film, but perhaps isn't as interesting enough a character to lead the film. He is great, and Pratt nails it, but the character and his dialogue does sometimes dip in quality. By his side is Bryce Dallas Howard, whose transformation from businesswoman to dino-facer is within the space of one scene where she practically breaks away her formalwear and bears her chest to Pratt, and she's likable to an extent. She's initially one-note as the person too busy to spend time with family or potential partners, but once she's knee-deep in the action she instantly changes to a mother figure/plausible bad-ass. It comes out of nowhere, and the mother instinct is especially off-putting because of how forced it is. As for her nephews, you have the smart kid (Simpkins) and the standard angsty teenager (Robinson) - no other alias - who are good enough and act well. They're there to be the kids from the first movie, and do a fine enough job at repeating them.
Outside the core four is a team of moderators on the main site, with Jake Johnson being a surprise MVP with his comedic timing and slight nostalgic tendencies and co-worker Lauren Lapkus bouncing off him well. Irrfan Khan, who plays the new head of the park and who often follows the ideals of predecessor John Hammond (the late Richard Attenborough, who is honoured with a statue and building in his character's name), is straight-faced but likable enough despite the somewhat predictable play with his helicopter 'skills', and Claire's PA Zara (Katie McGrath) has so little impact on the story that It's a good thing she gets her just deserts. Omar Sy as Owen's friend is charming enough, whilst the villainous D'Onofrio is cheesy enough to be dislikeable.
When the first trailer for Jurassic World premiered, there was an outcry over the lack of practical effects being used on the dinosaurs, as they were a huge play on why the first film was such a classic. And whilst there are plenty of models being used on the dinosaurs, there never seems to be one used for when the dinosaurs actually move, bar a dying diplodocus, as the rest are pure CGI. And sadly not as great CGI as the first time around. They do look good, just not as good. They serve their purpose during those big scenes, but there is plenty of room for practical stuff. Even the acclaimed T-Rex - applauded by most - fails to appear in physical form and instead takes shape of a computer-generated image that doesn't look much like the original. But Colin Trevorrow's direction is good at both those sweeping establishing shots and the high-octane flesh-destroying sequences with the Indominus Rex, so his visuals do help against the unusually cheaper feel to the sequel. But Colin Trevorrow's direction is good at both those sweeping establishing shots and the high-octane flesh-destroying sequences with the Indominus Rex, so his visuals do help against the unusually cheaper feel to the sequel.
When a certain sequence between the Indominus and Tyrannosaurs appears, it does come across as the screenplay bringing out an 'Old vs New' battle against the two mighty beasts. In one corner, you have a classic beast that audiences love enjoy seeing. In the other, a new creation which is an amalgamation of the old and the new, and is made to be better than the fan-favourite. Alas, in the case of Jurassic World, it has to settle on a second place trophy as it’s outshone by the original. But what it does have to show for it is a slow opening act followed by two stronger segments. The characters are enjoyable but lacking in personality, and as per usual Chris Pratt is one of the best things about the film, and the dinosaurs are explored further but are punished by the special effects to give them a cheaper feel. A truly nostalgic and occasionally funny trip back to Isla Nublar which suceeds in its sole purpose of keeping the franchise alive. 7/10.
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