Director: Colin Trevorrow
Stars: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Sam Neil, Jeff Goldblum
There are things to like about Jurassic World Dominion. There is also quite a bit not to like about it. Let’s start with the positive. The films release fits in well with the summer blockbuster season. This IMAX film, which takes full advantage of the IMAX canvass, has moments in it that are very visually appealing.
It’s hard to believe how much time has passed since the first Jurassic Park movie and you can really appreciate the cinematic technological advances from the first film to this one. Humans and dinosaurs sharing a screen and as I watch it, I’m not thinking about green screens or special effects as the experience, at times, feels very immersive.
This film also does a great job of bringing the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World characters together. You have the old school with Laura Dern, Sam Neil and Jeff Goldblum meeting up with the new, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard.
While I am sure some criticism of this film will be directed toward the acting that wasn’t my biggest gripe. In addition to the main cast, we have Campbell Scott, a fine actor in his own right, playing Lewis Dodgson, more on him in a moment.
We are told this is the last film in the series, that’s unfortunate. Many feel that The Rise of Skywalker wasn’t a great way to end the Star Wars series. It’s as if the people behind Jurassic World heard that and said, ‘hold my beer’.
First of all, this is a movie that we think is going to be about dinosaurs but those creatures don’t feature heavily in the majority of the film. Instead, we are focusing on character dynamics. It was somewhat reminiscent of Transformer: Revenge of the Fallen. Remember that movie? Instead of focussing on the Transformers the main point of the film was who was going to say ‘I love you’ first between the two main characters and by the end you were left thinking, who cares?
Very much the same here. Jeff Goldblum, who has been a rockstar in this series, is utterly wasted in this film. The sarcasm and wit that his character, Ian Malcolm, usually displays is gone and we get an extremely watered-down version of his character.
I like Chris Pratt. I think he’s a good actor who has star appeal but, speaking of Star Wars, when did Pratt become a Jedi? For a large part of the film, he is trying to control dinosaurs by holding his hand up and commanding them. That may work with my pet Bernadoodle but I doubt it would work with a Lion let alone multiple dinosaurs.
Also, we are expected to believe these dinosaurs are intelligent and Apex Predators, but they can’t track a single human who crashes in the middle of their jungle?
Campbell Scott, I said we would get back to him. Good actor. Liked him in Rodger Dodger, and One Week but how did he end up in this film? Another actor whose talents were wasted. He was essentially brought on to play a not-so-subtle version of Apple CEO Tim Cook. From the haircut, the idiosyncrasies to copying what Apples campus looks like. Scott plays the villain in the film. Wait, is Tim Cook a villain? I must have missed that memo, or should I say iMessage.
The film seems to be more of a scolding of how we are treating the planet as opposed to trying to be an entertaining film and as a result it falls short. Don’t get me wrong, you can do both, but this comes off as way to preachy and thus loses its effect.
Did I find aspects of this film entertaining? Absolutely. DeWanda Wise, Isabella Sermon are entertaining and good in their roles. I always silently cheer when I see Omar Sy, Les Intouchables, on screen and there are some good action scenes but overall, this is a miss for me.
I went in with medium expectations and those expectations weren’t met. I didn’t leave the theatre full of excitement but disappointment of what could have been.
As we approach the end of the school year and report cards are being handed out my comment to the director would be.
Colin has the ability; he just didn’t apply himself.
Grade: D+
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