There is plenty of talk these days that people have grown
tired of remakes and sequels. For the most part it’s hard to disagree with the
complaint that many of these movies are being made with the sole intent of trying
to capitalize on something great while providing a shoddy film that bears
little resemblance to the original or previous films. But on rare occasion a
good movie is the result. Such is the case with JURASSIC WORLD.
The movie takes place years after the first film on a new
island where scientists have been genetically bringing back dinosaurs found
encased in amber. Having failed in the past they, of course, feel certain that
they’ve prepared themselves for the worst case scenarios possible. Pterodactyls
are kept in an enclosed building, the predators are kept in their own secluded
areas and the tamer ones are kept close to the viewing public.
That’s the first major difference. This time around the
island has succeeded where the previous effort failed, making Jurassic World a
viable tourist destination where people come to play with the tiny or baby
dinosaurs and look on in wonder at the full grown creatures. What could go
wrong?
Well of course it’s inevitable that something will indeed
happen. Even more so when a young head executive for the company that owns the
island has her nephews come to spend a weekend. Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) is
centered on all things Jurassic World. So much so that when her nephews arrive
she passes them off to her assistant to take care of while she handles a few
minor problems as well as a major investor in the resort.
This is coupled with two other threads in the story. The
first is Owen (Christopher Pratt), a soldier of fortune of sorts who has been
working with the worst predators of the first film the raptors. Owen has
several of these raptors trained to a clicker command system. While they still
aren’t ready to roam free or be controlled completely with these commands his
work is coming closer to that reality. Unfortunately an unscrupulous military
type named Hoskins (Vincent D’Onofrio) views this as a potential weapon to be
used against any enemy, something Owen disagrees with.
The last thread of import involves a new creation the
scientists of the island have come up with, a hybrid of several dinosaurs.
While they won’t share just which dinosaurs it becomes apparent that their
choices may not have been the best thought out. But their goal was to make
something dangerous that will draw in more vacationers. The problem is this one
is the most dangerous of all, smart and able to conceal himself. When Owen is
called in to check over his enclosure the new creation escapes and is let loose
on the island.
At first unwilling to shut down the island and get everyone
off before something happens, Claire finds herself in the midst of a reign of
terror as the new killing machine not only takes out after anything in its path
but sets loose many other creatures. Whether or not Owen can find a way to save
the day, whether Claire can find her nephews and get them to safety, whether or
not the military will be able to weaponize the dinosaurs and whether or not the
thousands of tourists will survive is something you’ll have to watch the film
to find out.
The movie works on all levels. The acting is such that a
single performance doesn’t stand out. Everyone involved has brought on their A
game and does a great job. Pratt is showing why his status as a new leading man
is taking hold and Howard stands as his equal here.
The special effects are as amazing as they were when the
first film was released. Each moment where we see a dinosaur walking the planet
again seems real and breathtaking. Keep in mind it’s been 22 years since the
original film was released. There is an entire generation that has never been
exposed to this tale on the big screen that could now take it in. That they can
watch it at home now makes it even more special. It will also boost the
interest of youngsters in the original films.
While the age
old story of man messing with things he shouldn’t has been done time and time
again, it remains in a film like this as something that feels fresh. Yes, if
you saw the original film and its two sequels this isn’t new but it is still
quite entertaining. That it offers youngsters a chance to be exposed to
something this amazing story wise and effects wise is a big bonus. The fact
that it is the fourth film (with more sure to follow) and that it can still be
fun to watch speaks volumes about how good it is.
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