Trailer Reaction – Jurassic World Rebirth
Why do they keep making these.
No really. Why. The original Jurassic Park is a masterpiece. Perfect blend of practical effects and CGI. Perfect Spielberg tension. Perfect Ian Malcolm. The sequels have ranged from “okay I guess” to “actively bad” and yet every few years they make another one and we all go see it because dinosaurs.
Jurassic World Rebirth is the seventh movie in this franchise. SEVENTH. And the trailer suggests it’s doing that thing where they soft-reboot by making everything smaller scale. New cast. New location. Back to basics. “This time it’s different.” It’s never different.
Scarlett Johansson is in this one. She’s playing some kind of scientist or adventurer or whatever, it doesn’t matter, she’s there to be competent and run from dinosaurs. Mahershala Ali is also here which feels like a waste of Mahershala Ali. Jonathan Bailey from Bridgerton shows up for some reason.
The plot from what I can gather: the dinosaurs are dying. Some kind of extinction event is happening. There’s a compound in the ocean or on an island or somewhere remote that has dinosaurs people need for. Research? Medicine? The trailer is vague. People go to the place. Dinosaurs attack. Running. Screaming. Someone says something ominous about nature.
Look. It’s going to make money. It always makes money. Dinosaurs sell. Kids love dinosaurs. Adults who grew up on the original love dinosaurs. The formula works.
But I’m tired, you know? I’m tired of competent blockbusters that hit their marks and deliver their thrills and leave me feeling nothing. The original Jurassic Park made me feel wonder. When the brachiosaurus first appeared and John Williams’ score swelled I felt something close to awe. When has a Jurassic World movie made anyone feel awe?
The director is Gareth Edwards who made Godzilla and Rogue One. He knows scale. He knows how to make big things feel big. That’s probably why they hired him. Maybe he can bring something.
I’ll see it. Of course I’ll see it. But I’m already preparing to be disappointed.
Maybe I should just rewatch the original instead.