In 1993, Steven Spielberg unleashed Jurassic Park. With its bar raising CGI and debuting DTS digital soundtrack it became a milestone in cinema history and an instant classic despite its perfunctory script (albeit based on an intriguing premise). Followed by two redundant sequels, Jurassic World is the third redundant sequel.
That’s not to say that Jurassic World is terrible – it’s not – it’s easily the second best of the franchise but it is yet another re-run of practically the same story. Again we have two children loose in a dinosaur park run amok while the park’s controller (and relative of the children) attempts to retrieve them with the aid of a mercenary type.
The script throws all caution and common sense to the wind in ways that would never be allowed in the real world – how these two youngsters come to be adrift in a theme park full of prehistoric monsters defies belief! Jurassic Park gave a feasible explanation as to how this may happen but here it is just ridiculous.
In true Hollywood style, melodramatic plotlines are ramped up in haste for just about every character but ultimately lead nowhere leaving you wondering why they are there at all.
The film throws tired themes about of dangerous genetic tinkering and militarisation of technology and everything goes haywire largely due to ridiculously stupid decisions made by everybody from the owner of the park down to the two kids that will ultimately require rescuing.
The film’s saving grace is, of course, the dinosaurs that are lovingly created in dangerous, growling detail in all their claws, teeth and reptilian eyes glory. Ever since King Kong all we’ve ever wanted to see is these prehistoric behemoths fight and we get plenty of that action here.
The film’s other saving grace is Bryce Dallas Howard who is lovely in any guise. Doubtless others will think the same of Chris Pratt and I’m willing to pay that as well.
Ultimately, Jurassic World is just like Jurassic Park but ‘Bigger and Better™’ with CGI and digital sound design which is now the norm for any Hollywood blockbuster. Let’s be honest, this is a cash grab; it possesses neither the technical innovation nor the originality of storyline of the original. Jurassic Park nailed it; it still looks great; there was no imperative to remake it. But Jurassic World is fun enough and if the volume of popcorn left on the floor of the cinema after the movie is any indication, patrons are having a lot of fun indeed!
Stuart Jamieson
www.jurassicworldintl.com
