JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH (2025)

No. It is not as good as the original. But it is the second best in the franchise. And…to quote Jennifer Aniston from Picture Perfect (1997), “…that ain’t bad”. It’s great actually, once you get past it not being the first and best. Director Gareth Edwards has fashioned a fun adventure shot in actual real locations with characters who are all subtle and sometimes mildly surprising. It’s predictable and somewhat corny to anyone who has seen even just a few Steven Spielberg films, but for younger generations being introduced to the franchise and/or the safe space that is the PG-13 summer blockbuster, it’s a great time. Motivations are simple with heroics and greed aplenty; and stars/missionaries Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey step out of the way and let the simplicity shine amongst the world-class action, near death and death experiences. Of course it wouldn’t be a Jurassic Park or World movie without a few kids in the mix and this is where my praise lapses and relegates Jurassic World Rebirth to the second best film in the franchise. Coupled with the aforementioned covert operation party is a family in peril, and, save the eldest daughter’s boyfriend (David Iacono, bringing the comic relief), they all eventually cancel each other out. Also, their risks and heroics involving a T-Rex are ludicrous and momentarily beneath what is otherwise a genuine horror film for all ages.

WATCH OR NOT: WATCH

Additional musings: Any Jurassic anything with Chris Pratt attached is garbage, hot garbage.