Let us get one thing straight, one does not head into a Jurassic Park movie looking for a screenplay that is vying for an Academy Award. But if you can let some things go that either just don’t make sense or are simple exposition lazily inserted to move the plot along, this summer popcorn flick truly and utterly pops.
First, it is gutsy to have the premise of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, the sequel to the 2015 smash hit, surround having Isla Nublar completely wiped off the map by a volcano. The entire series—for the most part—has taken place on that island and to erase it from being is bold and firmly sets this part of the franchise heading in a new direction. As the tagline says, “the park is gone.”
There is a volcano and it is going to destroy Isla Nublar and our heroes from Jurassic World are recruited by the Lockwood Corporation to head out to the locale and save as many species as possible. Their new home, a desolate island free of barriers, walls and cages, awaits.
Chris Pratt returns as the Raptor whisperer Owen and Bryce Dallas Howard continues her charming turn as the formidable heart of this franchise reset, Claire. It is established early that the two are no longer a couple and that means we find Claire working a “Save the Dinosaurs” organization and Pratt is living in a camper, building a home in the mountains. When Lockwood calls, Claire leaps at the chance and only because of his attachment to the raptor Blue, Owen is not far behind.
After a decent first half of the first act, the film drifts into some convenient plot tropes that honestly delay our getting to the meat of the story. Sure, things need to be laid out and a landscape must be built in this evolving world, but there had to be a better way to accomplish that than what was delivered by the script by Derek Connolly and Jurassic World writer-director Colin Trevorrow. After those hiccups, this thing is completely locked and loaded.
By the second act, all characters are firmly in place in terms of who they are and what their motivations are, and we are repeatedly reminded why these movies are so adored.
When dinosaurs attack is inherently suspenseful and completely and utterly pulse-pounding. There is a barrage of scenes that will drop your jaw and may even produce some vocal outbursts (as I did with several whispered, “Oh my Goodness!”). New director J.A. Bayona (A Monster Calls, The Impossible) has a firm command of the material yes, but more importantly, the helmer knows this world—dating back to when it was created by Steven Spielberg from Michael Crichton’s iconic novel. He forges fresh territory in a manner that is wildly thrilling and entertaining, largely helped by taking the action off the island and… yes, to the mainland.
Credit to the writers for throwing us that welcomed curve ball and no, it does not recall in the slightest Jurassic Park: The Lost World where dinos wreaked havoc on San Diego. In fact, once we exit the island Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom feels much like a haunted house film where our protagonists are trapped inside said home with an army of Jurassic beasts all capable of ending everyone’s previously blissful lives. It would not be a Jurassic Park universe movie it there wasn’t a little kid to charm us and provide some seismic story arcs. This time out the character of Maisy Lockwood (Isabella Sermon) is our eyes and ears into this world that is fascinating to see through the point of view of someone who has never seen a dinosaur before, but who possess a passion for the long ago extinct but brought back to life animals. Claire and Owen get to play parental influences on the girl and that aspect is quite touching and illustrates another reason why these dino-mite movies have such a following. They have heart. Sure, it speeds up your heart—but is self-aware enough to know exactly when to pull back and massage that ticker with affection and inflection.
That’s not the only thing that Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom shares with its predecessors. Bayona routinely plays tribute to iconic moments from the Jurassic Park canon and they all sneak up on you that will produce an insightful smile from all who find the connections. It is stunning and there were many moments, particularly in the third act that impeccably and beautiful borrowed from all previous installments—particularly Spielberg’s instant classic.
Pratt is his usual awesome self. Besides being born to be Star Lord in Guardians of the Galaxy, he was put on this earth to portray Owen. The only reason we believe this human-raptor connection that is the key to the last two films is because of the actor’s performance opposite something that will completely be added later in post. He is also one heck of a stunning lead actor and recalls a lot of the traits that made the Golden Era of Hollywood stars shine so bright.
Howard is divine. She is out of those heels (a running joke-commentary from the last film) and firmly placed in some boots ready to keep some butt—literally and figuratively. There is a screen presence to the actress that permeates this entire film. It is her passion that drives the initial effort to save these creatures. There is an entire discussion in that first act, that could have been minimized, that explored the expositional debate about whether these dinosaurs were worthy of saving. After all, nature has already knocked them off the planet once. Through the strength of Howard’s performance, all that perceived overplayed worldwide discussion over what to do with the dinosaurs in the first act, actually becomes the heart of the film in hindsight. She sells it through her characterization and through her character’s action. We want these souls saved.
That entire film is completely framed by a too brief—but explosive—turn from a returning favorite. Jeff Goldblum’s Ian Malcolm, the chaos theory espouser, gets to see his favorite philosophy come to life in an uncannily real manner.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is a summer movie joyride that will please longtime fans of the series and likely capture some new ones. It is an experience that is enhanced by witnessing the thrills collectively with others, i.e. in the theater. Fallen Kingdom reminds us why the summer movie institution (began by Jurassic Park creator Spielberg with his iconic Jaws) is so beloved.
Grade: B