There’s almost nothing better than hanging out in an air-conditioned movie mega-plex watching people run from genetically-sourced prehistoric creatures. “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is the definition of a perfect Summer movie: dinosaurs, Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, action, scares, popcorn, fun, and not a lot of filler. It’s the fifth “Jurassic Park” film and the second in the trilogy started by 2015’s “Jurassic World.” It’s also the first of the series to be directed by J.A. Bayona. Colin Trevorrow, director of the previous film, provides the screenplay with fellow writer Derek Connolly.
Hold on to your butts! This is a new direction and a tonal shift for the “Jurassic” movies. Yes, there are still a lot of people still making horrible decisions, lining themselves up to inevitably be dino-meals, but new ideas are being introduced here. New things that have interesting implications for what happens next.
But first, we reconnect with our heroes from the last film, Claire (Howard), and Owen (Pratt), and, yes, they get talked to going back to the Isla Nublar. You know, the island full of man-eating dinosaurs that everyone escaped from four years prior. Bad decisions, people! Bad decisions.
If the first four “Jurassic” movies have taught us anything, it’s DON’T go back to the island! Thankfully, for us movie fans, everyone does; and, yup, the dinosaurs are still hungry. There’s also a huge active volcano.
What’s the reason behind this madness and apparent lack of historical knowledge? It’s Claire. In the years that passed, she’s headed a viral campaign to let the dinosaurs live, undisturbed, on the Costa Rican island, free from tourists and hunters. Unfortunately, the impending volcanic eruption will most likely wipe them all out. Someone needs to save the dinosaurs. It’s a cause so compelling, even the world’s governments begin fielding arguments from the pro-dino and the pro-volcano sides.
Just when things look bleak for the prehistoric beasts (but glorious for the delicious humans), a mysterious benefactor steps in to help Claire get her wish. However, there are a few caveats. Claire convinces Owen he’s essential to her plan and, next thing you know, they are on a plane to danger island. What could possibly go wrong? Cue dramatic music.
When “Fallen Kingdom” is being old-school “Jurassic Park” and everyone is just trying to survive, it feels perfectly Spielberg-ian and exactly what you expect. But, there’s a chunk of the film, where certain events happen and new ideas are introduced, and the whole thing takes a hard left turn. Not just in the narrative of the film, but for the whole franchise. For fans of the previous movies, there are a few moments of “wait… what?!” There’s some challenging new stuff here.
Pratt and Howard are still a dream-team of charm, heroics, and humor. They should just be in everything together. Yes, they get to deliver some of the corniest of cornball lines, but, seriously, it’s what we all want. It’s what we all need. They’re the best.
Several new characters join the cast, most notably Zia (Daniella Pineda) and Franklin (Justice Smith). Both have just about zero character development, but they are wildly entertaining and let’s hope they come back for next film, at least. They deserve it.
And, be excited for the return of “Jurassic Park” original cast members BD Wong and the beloved Jeff Goldblum and Dr. Ian Malcolm. And, yes, chaos is still finding a way, much to Ian’s chagrin.
Director J.A. Bayona cranks up the Spielberg homages, with cinematic shots looking straight out of the veteran director’s playbook. He lets his own style shine through, especially in the last half of the film, where he playfully recalls monster movies from the golden years of Hollywood.
Now, the important part: the dinosaurs. There are a lot of fan-favorite teeth returning and a lot of new creatures we’ve never seen before. Some are there for terror, some for laughs and some will choke you up. Seriously. This may be the first time you get watery eyes for a computer-generated dinosaur. Well, there was the poor brachiosaurus from “Jurassic World.” The effects are still awesome and you totally forget they’re effects.
Michale Giacchino, possibly the hardest working movie-music composer on Earth right now, returns to update the memorable “Jurassic World” score. The classic familiar themes are there and the new ones are rousing and ominous.
In summary, this is probably the weirdest Jurassic film so far. It’s still crazy enjoyable, but it goes places you won’t expect. For the first time in the entire series, there are questions that aren't’ really answered. There are mysteries that aren’t really solved. It’s the first Jurassic cliffhanger. The previous “Jurassic World” will now make more sense and you will probably be really excited for what’s to come. It’s a new piece of a puzzle you didn’t know existed. Even the title will take on new meaning.
Most importantly, you see a lot of people getting eaten by dinosaurs. And, really, that’s what we all want.
Put on your sensible shoes and run to the biggest theater you can, “Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom” is worth battling the weekend crowds.
4 out of 5 Mosasaurus teeth
