JURASSIC WORLD FALLEN KINGDOM REVIEW: A sequel too many?

The fallen franchise?

The Jurassic Park franchise tore onto our screens and into our hearts way back in 1993. The Spielberg crafted masterpiece became a colossal classic and now, twenty-five years later, the dinosaurs are back! (Cue the theme tune… (Doo do doo doo DO Doo do doo doo DO)

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is ready to rule the cinematic food chain once again, following from the 2015 super-hit Jurassic World… but five movies in: should we just let sleeping dinosaurs lie?

With the hefty weight of the original Jurassic Park looming over any future forays into the world of dinosaurs, many critics and neigh-sayers alike will find fault with Fallen Kingdom. True: it is not on par with the original with its fractured story telling, comical characterization and genre jumping. But it is an exceptionally good time that captures the essence of the first time you saw a dinosaur back in ’93.

Jurassic newbie, J. A Bayona pays homage to the original perfectly with fan-boy favorites of yellow-jacketed geeks scrambling in the rain, creeping creatures flashed by lightning and of course the almighty roar of the Dino-King himself, or Queen rather as its actually a female, The T-Rex. Bayona knows what brings audiences back time after time, Simple Jaw-dropping dinosaur drama. The original brought the fantasy of the theme park to life superbly. Fallen Kingdom however blows it apart and leaves major dino-feels in its wake. Bayona merges the nostalgic brilliance of the first movie with a scientific horror romp of the future and truly catapults the franchise forward. There is action, emotion, humor and genuine scares as this franchise once again finds a way.

People love dinosaurs. Whatever degree of truth that statement holds to you it is undeniable how cool dinosaurs are. Whether teeth bearing and terrifying or humble herbivores tugging at your heartstrings, dinosaurs undoubtedly capture our imagination. Fallen Kingdom runs wild with the childlike enthusiasm of dinosaur dabbling and throws in mad scientists, volcanoes, and much more for our viewing pleasure. The sheer volume of dinosaurs is extraordinary and provides popcorn-spilling thrills as we meet these incredible creatures. The visual effects are breathtaking and throw you stampeding into the action as you experience the Jurassic world up close and personal. Your inner-child will not be disappointed.

The dinosaurs undeniably steal the show yet again in Fallen Kingdom with notable mentions going to T-Rex in all his roaring glory and the new member of the gruesome gang: the Indoraptor, the terrifying villain of the piece is maniacally menacing and cartoonishly charismatic in his human hunt and offered my favorite scare of the movie.  Ofcourse we have to mention Blue the ridiculously brainy raptor of Jurassic World. Personally I don’t buy her heroic allegiance to Owen… but damn is she cute as a dinky dino baby!

Speaking of cute, Chris Pratt’s Owen is back in full honest hero glory. He is likeable as ever and earns his movie star status yet again. He does heartfelt hunk expertly well and delivers a realistic character among the somewhat shallow cast. Is it his shining movie moment?.. no! But he is the perfect reliable rogue in any blockbuster and welcome guide to our adventure.

However, it is Bryce Dallas Howard who had the potential to be so much more than the straight man turned badass babe. Howards character Claire could have had a pivotal role as the embodiment of mankind finally gaining a conscience and fighting against the system. Although briefly mentioned, Claire’s epiphany sadly falls flat and could have been so much more. The razor haired heroine we met in Jurassic World is gone but the writers missed a real opportunity to mirror what Claire could have been with a female villain unafraid to exploit these magnificent creatures. Meh, maybe in the threequel?

The new geeks of this Jurassic instalment actually get some meaty meaning to the story. Justice Smith is super funny and has a physical charm to his comedy that cut through the atmosphere and made for a charmingly memorable character. Daniella Pineda is also a brilliant addition as the fiery and funny Zia. The controversy of her LGBT revelation being axed from the final cut should not hinder this magnetic talent. More of her in movies now, thanks.

However, the antagonist we are served comes via of Rafe Spall. Spall delivers a good performance yet the character lacks any real purpose other than to hopefully get eaten. Sorry Rafe.

After the dust settles on this movie it is very apparent that the Kingdom has fallen: The incredible work of Jurassic Park is done and its time to leave the past behind and bust out of the park. Bayona has crafted Fallen Kingdom as a stepping-stone into the new Jurassic World where the possibilities are endless. I personally was apprehensive of leaving the park but Bayonas artistic imagery of blockbuster-horror hybrid is simply enjoyable. It is not the instant classic of the nineties, we’ve seen dinosaurs and now need something more and that’s what this movie offers well.

Jurassic Park: Fallen Kingdom is a cinematic experience that combines all of the joy of theme park attractions, childhood imagination and Spielberg nostalgia into a jaw-dropping good time worthy of the Jurassic namesake, So just sit back and enjoy the ride.

Life finds a way yet again 

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom in theatres now