Review: Jurassic World (2015)

Twenty-two years ago, Steven Spielberg broke new ground in the Sci-Fi genre with the release of Jurassic Park. Not only was the film a visual-effects game-changer but it’s likable characters, thrilling and suspenseful action sequences and that Spielbergian sense of adventure made it a time-less classic. Twenty-two years later, rookie director Colin Trevorrow has been entrusted with the immensely difficult job of breathing new life into the hit franchise. As someone who pretty much grew up on Jurassic Park, I have been, like many others waiting for this sequel for ages. Needless to say that the mediocre Lost World and dreadful Jurassic Park III were not adequate. So after much anticipation, Jurassic World is finally here, does it live up to it’s overblown hype? It most definitely does.

Jurassic World ignores the two sequels that came after Jurassic Park and picks up twenty-two years after the events of the first film. John Hammond’s (Richard Attenborough) vision of a fully functioning dino theme park has finally come into fruition. But when visitor rates start declining park administration decides to add a new attraction, the Indominus Rex, a vicious and highly intelligent dinosaur made possible through years of genetic engineering. However, all hell breaks loose with the dinosaur breaks out of captivity to wreak havoc on the fully populated park. Jurassic World is a worthy sequel to its iconic predecessor, one that manages to stay reminiscent to the first one while standing on its own. The premise is undoubtedly intriguing and director Colin Trevorrow – who only has only the small-budgeted indie hit, Safety Not Guaranteed to his name before this film – does an impressive job of delivering some of the film’s most exciting set-pieces, some of which left me at the edge of my seat. The script is kind of hit and miss really, while I think it does a good job of creating strong, interesting characters and finding that perfect combination of comedy and terror, it feels quite heavy-handed at many times and somewhat loses that keen sense of adventure we came to love in the original through it’s various sub-plots.

Since the success of Guardians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt has become one of the hottest stars in Hollywood and here he is great as dino expert and military man, Owen Grady. Pratt has both the charismatic charm and the on-screen physicality to make for a worthy protagonist, his character seems to have elements from all three of the first films leads; which includes the wit of Sam Neill, the charisma of Jeff Goldblum and humbleness of Laura Dern. Bryce Dallas Howard’s Beth starts off as a typical corporate executive concerned only with profits, but gradually through the course of the movie molds herself into the mantel of a badass heroine, she is also very good. Vincent D’Onofrio, Jake Johnson Irrfan Khan, Ty Simpkins and Nick Robinson round-up the supporting cast. D’Onofrio puts up a good performance but his motivations as the antagonist were not completely clear to me, the rest of the cast are not too bad either.

Jurassic World also does a splendid job of staying reminiscent to the original, as I mentioned before. The throwbacks are cute and never overstay their welcome. As soon as the iconic John Williams theme played I felt a wave of nostalgia wash over me and Jurassic Park for the most part is an exciting, entertaining and immensely thrilling ride that’s both good popcorn entertainment and a great way to retreat from the hot summer sun. I know it’s impossible to fulfill everyone’s expectations but if Jurassic World doesn’t fulfill yours, you’re expecting too much.

8.0/10

-Khalid