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Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Review


Jurassic Park never needed to be a franchise. As a thriller, Jurassic Park inherently works better the more compact it is, so stretching it into multiple sequels seems rather counterproductive. Of course, I wouldn't mind if these sequels were good. Unfortunately, they are not. The Lost World, the first follow-up, does nothing new for virtually the entire film - only hinting at a distinctive identity in the final act. Jurassic Park 3 was even worse. The characters are so unengaging and the action so toothless you end it feeling like you've stared at an empty void for ninety minutes.

Colin Trevorrow's 2015 sequel/reboot Jurassic World slightly reinvigorated the franchise with flashy new visuals, but it also suffered from bland characters and a muddled script. However, against all the odds, I still foolishly had my hopes up for that film’s follow-up Fallen Kingdom. I did have my reasons, to be fair. J.A. Bayona was taking over directorial duties and he's an excellent director, responsible for 2016’s fantastic A Monster Calls. Additionally, trailers suggested the franchise was finally headed in the intriguing direction The Lost World dipped into. Also, Jeff Goldblum was back!

So, were my hopes met? Did all my Jurassic dreams come true? Well, sort of. There are a number of risks the film takes that I appreciate, even if their success varies. The film's structure is intriguing, for example. The first act whizzes through the typical Jurassic Park plot points before everything is subverted and we're taken in a decidedly different direction. The dinosaurs are brought to the real world, like the second film's climax but on a more claustrophobic scale. The Lost World brought a T-Rex to a city, Fallen Kingdom confines numerous dinosaurs in a mansion, concentrating the danger and heightening the tension.

J.A. Bayona also utilities his experience directing horror films to spruce up Fallen Kingdom's aesthetic. Bayona brings out the gothic eeriness in the film's setting, especially amplifying it during a dinosaur auction scene run by the slimy human antagonists. It's here that the film attempts some social commentary, analysing animal exploitation by the greedy and warmongering, as well as society's attitudes towards conservation. It's a valiant effort but the film too quickly decides what side of the debate its on. When it does bring in opposing views it ends up confused rather than nuanced.

Unfortunately, when the film's risks fall flat it means we waste time that could be spent on scary dino-action. Consequently, despite the potentially thrilling set up, there aren't many genuinely nail-biting moments. This is also because we don't care about the characters. Just like its predecessor, none of them are in any way engaging. There's little to no attempt at development and there aren't any particularly charming personalities. Even Chris Pratt is utterly dull, acting as if he's nearly exceeded his charisma quota for the month. Worse still, Jeff Goldblum is barely in the film!

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom shouldn't even exist, but that doesn't mean it can't be good. There is a lot of potential here and enough of it is met for me to enjoy myself. However, not every risk pays off and the character problems of the previous film are all too present this time as well. Still, the attempts to change up the franchise are a step in the right direction and the ending does set up a potentially unique third instalment. Who knows, maybe life will finally find a way to another great film?

6.8/10

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