Jurassic World: Rebirth

Jurassic World: Rebirth takes place several years after the events of “Jurassic World: Dominion.” Most of the Jurassic wildlife have been contained to one or two of the islands (Isla Sorma or Isla Nebular) and people, including paleontologists and archaeologists are strongly discouraged from visiting the islands. In fact, governments of several countries have placed guards and barriers around the waters that surround the two islands. But there are always those who really like to stick it to the man.

Case in point, a covert operations expert, Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), has been recruited by a pharmaceutical company to head to an island where only the dinosaurs that were far too dangerous for the original park exist—dubbed Ile Saint-Hubert. As it turns out, 17 years prior, InGen cloned and recreated many of these deformed and monstrous dinosaurs in a secret lab. But, of course, things never go according to plan; the dinosaurs escaped and now roam across Ile Saint-Hubert. Along with a paleontologist and personal friend of Zora’s, the group must acquire DNA samples from 3 different species in order to create medical cures for many human ailments and diseases.

What could possibly go wrong? Well… everything…

Monster movies have been in existence since King Kong made his massive way through the heart of NYC, climbing up skyscrapers and tearing down planes. Why do people enjoy monster movies? Is it due to all of the chaos that ensues on screen? Is it suspense? Is it the desire to look at the impossible and get a good laugh or a good cheer (especially since in many of these movies, some almost always root for the monster to win). Maybe it’s a little bit of everything.

Monster movies have always had this generic and standard progression that can be found in pretty much every one: 1) gigantic monster is discovered, 2), giant monster escapes or is found in a largely populated area, 3) giant monster destroys buildings, cars, people, etc. 4) giant monster either loses or is forced to retreat. The formula works, or pretty much almost always works, and that’s simply because people don’t go in for a complicated plot, huge backstories, etc. They go for the thrill and in some cases the absolute terror.

The original “Jurassic Park,” when it released in 1993, did one of two things: either people were amazed by the absolute incredible use of practical effects and use of animatronics that made them feel like these dinos were real, or people thought it was okay in comparison to films Spielberg had produced beforehand (“Jaws,” “E.T.”). Most viewers, though, felt that Spielberg had truly outdone himself. As the sequels came, there were many who thought that the move away from the dinos being the main focus was a potential waste of Steven Spielberg’s talent

After nearly 6 films, we have “Jurassic Park: Rebirth.” Taking the sequels out of the discussion, “Rebirth” doesn’t necessarily have the same sense of terror or danger that the original did. Nothing can replace the absolute fear you felt (and still feel) when you see the ripples in the cup of water, signaling the impending danger of the T-Rex in the first film. Sometimes the magic of an original just can’t be recreated, and sometimes, as is often the case, as filmmakers attempt to build upon or recreate an original, they do the exact opposite of what they intended.

What we have with “Rebirth,” just as the title implies, is a film that tries to reinvent itself, but in the process it loses some credibility as a true “monster movie.” There is so much dialog and side conversation in “Rebirth” that, as one critic stated, “The movie forgot that it’s not about the people, it’s about the dinos!” Don’t just take my word for it though!

Critics responses to “Jurassic World: Rebirth”

Now granted, I try to find the good in any film (when I can) and some of the scenery on this new island is just breathtaking. When the film takes a moment to stop and breathe, its nice to be able to have a few moments to just take in the mountains, the green land, and occasionally the dinosaurs themselves. And yes, even some of the performances are in line with what to expect in a monster movie.

Lastly, to the films credit, there ew moments that are just “good old Spielberg” and you just knew Spielberg, while he may not have directed the film, his hand was in this film in many ways (including in some of the “easter eggs” you will spot in “Rebirth” if you’re sharp-eyed).

Content of Concern

VIOLENCE: Very Heavy to Extreme. This film contains strong blood and gore. Characters are frequently in mortal peril, with many extremely close calls. Someone gets crushed into pieces by a terrifying mutant dinosaur. Children are put in consistent and real danger. There are also intense sequences of sustained threat. We witness a disemboweled Parasaurolophus (graphic). Person swallowed whole and alive. One person is bitten in half, and we see his hand fall to the ground. A dinosaur is seen eating the lower body of man. A helicopter is violently attacked and explodes, killing all on board. A person on a boat is grabbed in jaws and dragged away screaming, then eaten amidst circling creatures.

There are screams of pain and fear. A Spinosaur’s teeth are seen biting into a woman’s body. We witness blood mixing with the water. There is a near drowning in the sea during attack. A man trapped behind a door, begs for his life as a mutated dinosaur seizes him and drags him away to his death. Woman on beach is ambushed by a dinosaur and dragged into the ocean and killed. People are swallowed whole, dragged away; one is dismembered. People are attacked by Raptors and flying reptiles (mutated Pterosaur hybrids, dubbed Mutadons—a combination of a pterosaur and Velociraptor). Some people in a river are chased by a Tyrannosaurus Rex (intense), and it goes after a little girl. A man falls from a great height. A helicopter arrives and is taken down by a terrifying, deformed, alien-like, six-limbed tyrannosaur with gorilla-like arms—Distortus rex. Its design was inspired by the xenomorphs in the “Alien” franchise and the rancors in the “Star Wars” franchise.

PROFANITY: “J*sus,” “G*d,” “G*d damn,” “D*mnit,” “H*ll”

VULGAR LANGUAGE: “Sh*t” (5), “Son of a b*tch” (2), “P*ss” (2), “A**h*le,” an almost complete “F**k” heard before a man is brutally mauled by the Distortus rex

SEX: None, but according to the MPA rating there are “some suggestive references.” Teresa Delgado makes a remark about her boyfriend saying, “You don’t see the side of him I see.” Bella, her younger sister, replies, “The naked side.” / Two Titanosaurus mating (wrapping tails, nuzzling, but not graphic)

NUDITY: Cleavage; Teen girl (Teresa) exits stream in wet, tight fitting t-shirt; Johansson wears a tight-fitting tank top; Shirtless teenage boy; Shirtless men

Alcohol/Drugs: Young man (Xavier Dobbs) mentions he has “weed;” men drinking beer while gambling; woman joins them

Other: There are references to Evolutionary dates, stating humans have been on Earth for 200,000 years. A man is seen urinating in the jungle (not graphic).

There are no genuine redeeming morals to draw from “Jurassic World: Rebirth.”

Closing Thoughts

If “Rebirth” is to actually be a rebirth, or restart, for the “Jurassic Park” franchise, it doesn’t feel like it. If anything “Rebirth” feels like its trying to draw upon the notion that those who love “Jurassic Park” will just flock to “Rebirth” and love it no matter what. But, that isn’t necessarily the case.

“Rebirth” does have its moments where one can appreciate the homage it pays to the original, and that’s all fine and good. Some of the characters are more developed than the first film. Still, most viewers won’t leave the theater feeling the franchise is going in a new direction or any direction for that matter. If anything, I sat and pondering what kind of carnage I just witnessed on screen, no matter how fictitious in nature.

I personally don’t recommend “Rebirth.” Even “The Lost World” and “Jurassic World” understood what made these movies as beloved as they had been in the past. “Rebirth” only ups the ante and brings plenty more disgusting displays of violence with some profanity thrown in on the side. This movie is definitely not for kids or teens. My advice? Skip it.

• Violence: Extreme
• Profane language: Moderate
• Vulgar/Crude language: Mild
• Nudity: Mild
• Sex: Mild
• Drugs/Alcohol: Mild
• Occult: Mild
• Wokeism: Minor

FILM VIOLENCE—How does viewing violence in movies affect families?

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