REVIEW: JURASSIC WORLD - DOMINION

 

3/5

At World's End.

146 Mins. Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum, Sam Neill, DeWanda Wise, Mamoudou Athie, Isabella Sermon, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda, Dichen Lachman, Campbell Scott, Omar Sy & BD Wong. Director: Colin Trevorrow. 

"In 'Jurassic Park'. Scary in the dark." I'm so scared that I will hate this. But alas, I don't. Hahahrawrrahaha. It's not "one big pile of s###" like everybody says now the park is open here in Japan. Or even a meta Jeff Goldblum in this movie saying, "Jurassic World...not a fan." The end of the 'World' is still a summer sequel smash for your blockbuster bucks and not an 'Independence Day: Resurgence' regurgitation. Even if it doesn't have the same 'Dominion' over the box-office this season like a 'Maverick' Tom Cruise's long-awaited, soaring 'Top Gun' sequel. Or those dominating 'Minions' and gentle ones I finally got to see in the wild tonight...but was too scared to approach. It's not a bad movie, by any shot. Just a little too long-shot ambitious, but also motorcycle steering away from its even grander ambition set up in the last movie ('Fallen Kingdom' and a sweet 'Battle At Big Rock' short) that it actually bests. And it's also not the epic end fans wanted. More of a solid entry to the canon, which budgets and box-office revenue breaking-even be damned will probably have more left in the tank to fire. After his 'Guardians Of The Galaxy' career breakout, Chris Pratt's 'Jurassic World' star turn, co-starring Bryce Dallas Howard and directed by trilogy helmer Colin Trevorrow (all on fine form here) was the tomorrow, monster hit that was set to spawn sequels. But these days, for some strange and cruel reason, Pratt has gone from the most popular person on the planet to people calling him by his last name. And it's such a shame. He still has the star power on full wattage like his 'Guardians' cameo in the other superhero summer scorcher, 'Thor-Love and Thunder'. Whilst Dallas Howard like her proud pops is becoming an even better director than she is a Jessica Chastain twin. Directing THE best episodes of Star Wars' 'The Mandalorian' and 'The Book Of Boba Fett' (even if that was a Mando episode) on Disney +. Sometimes monster movie, like cape fatigue can leave fans with too many blocks to bust and they can feel fed up. But that doesn't mean they have to dig their heels in. They can always stay at home and wait to get flayed by Vecna. 

World's apart from the park. This franchise always felt like an offshoot. As movie life imitates art. Always trying to go bigger and bolder, this hybrid of executive producer Steven Spielberg's directed trilogy's spiel made-up brand new dinosaurs, cooked in the lab. And that just doesn't work so well for us Ross Geller's. Don't they know the T-Rex will always be King of this jungle as he walks into a signature shot like Bond for your Easter Egg? All in a movie full of them, from beloved references to 'The Shining', 'Apocalypse Now' and many, many more including its own meta moments, climbing or buttoning up. Adorned in a costume department that adores nostalgia and this years Halloween dress-up. You've got to love it like Trevorrow's hilarious human moments like the man saving his margarita's despite an aerial assault in 'Jurassic World' ("scary in the...") and what that scooter segues into here. Hilarious like those cooked up Gordon Ramsay "raw" trailers. Still, the taming of the raptors with one hand doesn't seem like fair game. You know he'd be Edward Scissorhands right now. Although it is cool to see Star Lord ride around with them on a chopper like they were sidecars with teeth like he was auditioning to be the new 'Indiana Jones' (more of that here and maybe to come). And we all know in reality, raptors were actually only the size of dogs. But now they're chasing laser pen points like cats. You can throw everything you like at the big screen, but you'll never sink that kitchen scene for taught tension and toe-tapping fear, clawing down your spine. Sure, Blue and the even Beta baby Blue find a way in this life. As mother has become THE dinosaur of this series, whilst the cute child is snapping at that Baby Yoda Christmas present money (they brought Tamagotchi's back in Japan, how cool is that?). But I get what fans have been disappointed. What I don't understand is why it descends into outright hate for a movie that is still enjoyable. It seems like the same torch carrying angry mob from 'The Simpsons' that runs rampant in cancelling these days also wants to spoil everyone's enjoyment when it comes to entertainment. I even dread the day I post reviews now, as if I like something that the 'I hate it too' crowd don't, it'll be met with exactly that sliding into my DM's. Like showing love is my problem and not theirs in this don't @ me world. I know what you're trying to do, but this franchise means the world (no pun intended) to me too. Even if it isn't in the same ballpark (intended). 

Christmas, 1993. I've probably already told this story, but at this point, I don't care. It's lovely and I need too. I wake up and my eight-year-old self is still so excited to see what Santa brought with the milk half gone and the cookies and carrot baring teeth marks I thought would be a little bigger. Little did I know (like I should of) who really put in all that extra effort. 'Jurassic Park' was the summer and stocking filler smash that 'Toy Story' and a certain Lightyear (another nice nostalgia trip this summer) toy would be years later. And there they all were. Raptors, dinosaurs, Dr. Alan Grant and a late, great Bob Peck figure looking as big as a bear, oh my. And of course the legendary Jurassic Park car, rivalling the Ghostbusters Ectomobile. Although it was probably just your run of the mill station wagon. Something kids genuinely believed they would drive one day as their dream car. I couldn't be happier, until the middle of the day when my lovely grandparents came 'round for Christmas dinner. "Why don't you put their coats on your bed", Mum asked me beautifully. As I got up there a T-Rex was waiting for me, like I was sitting on a toilet. This was everything to a kid who boasted he saw 'Jurassic Park' twice...without a bathroom break (big boy). 'Jurassic World' always seemed like a tribute act imitating the original like a Bootleg Beatles, but now they've got the band back together, it's beautiful. And a game Laura Dern and Sam Neill, revisiting old themes and friends, along with 'Fallen Kingdom's' Goldblum, no longer stuck on desk duty mouthing off on Capitol Hill don't disappoint as old cast meets new in an Avenging moment. "I know you" too to a returning BD Wong, looking for 'Fallen' redemption. Even if the dinos running rampant in the city like in 'The Lost World' in this similar 'One Of Our Dinosaurs Is Missing' story does somewhat. Replaced by a swarm of handbag sized locusts that will make your skin crawl. Especially if you live in the cicada ravaged summer of Japan. I couldn't even get into my house late last night as there were three playing dead outside my door. Buzzing around and messing with Biblical, end of the world themes, subtlety in damnation. BINGO! Dino DNA also gives us a cloning strand of story and all of this manages to be tied-together quite nicely. Despite fans spitting at it like the welcome return of one of our favourite Park predators. There's also a fast and furious, 'Mission: Impossible' heist like motorcade of action in postcard settings that allows 'Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D'. star Dichen Lachman to shine with some stock lazy henchmen tattooed up to parody and reunites us with the Bishop of 'X-Men' and 'Lupin' himself Omar Sy. The kids are more that alright too, as Isabella Sermon's significant role introduces herself to familiar faces Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda and 'Uncorked' Mamoudou Athie in a great year. And talking about familiar faces we've got Campbell Scott (who was so good as Andrew Garfield's Peter Parker's pop in 'The Amazing Spider-Man 2') owning a recognisable name here too, as Biosyn replaces Ingen like Legion, Skynet in another great reunion sequel they hated ('Dark Fate'). It's all connected. But 'She's Got To Have It', it's DeWanda Wise who steals the show. Piloting this thing and navigating the best lines. Still, if you can't get with this then maybe you should watch this movie with my girlfriend. Binging all of the previous movies like they were seasons prior and still getting her teeth into this popcorn picture. Clutching your hand at all the callbacks with no cynicism. All for what makes the shared experience of cinema so satisfying. Now it's back on the big-screen, it means the world. TIM DAVID HARVEY. 

Further Filming: 'Jurassic World', 'Jurassic Park', 'The Lost World: Jurassic Park.'