Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

In 1993, Steven Spielberg enhanced the summer cinema experience in the adventure genre with Jurassic Park, which demonstrated what computer effects were capable of while influencing many to try to match that magic and improve CGI in the years to come. It's usually in many greatest of all time lists and it's easy to see why in terms of craft from the directing standpoint, action sequences, and simple but effective storytelling. It created a predictable formula with the cliched but familiar ingredients: a protagonist with a scientific background is recruited to visit an island with genetically engineered dinosaurs, a conversation about how to treat the creatures, a chain of events lead them into dangerous territory with the dinos, child endangerment, dumb decisions are made, and some annoying parts are involved. This brings us to the fifth entry, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, directed by J.A. Bayona (The Orphanage, The Impossible, A Monster Calls) and co-written by Colin Trevorrow/Derek Connolly (both Jurassic World, latter Monster Trucks). The marketing campaign aggressively showed the whole movie and it received a mixed critical reception. While I enjoyed the first two films, I don't love the franchise as a whole. I entered the auditorium ready to give it a chance and left it very disappointed in this frustrating experience as it's the weakest movie of the series.

Thoughts on the Jurassic Sequels: The name of the game with each sequel entry is how they compare to each other since a lot of aforementioned formulaic pieces are there but with different levels of quality. None of them reach the heights nor the magic of Jurassic Park but they managed to be more good than bad or vice versa.
  • Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997): While being aware of some aspects people will lobby against it for, this 1997 dino flick is actually better and more competent than others are willing to give it credit for. There are some great action sequences (notably the trailer scene being arguably the best), solid Jeff Goldblum mannerisms, the daughter actually has common sense and isn't annoying (her 15 second gymnastics part gets a pass here), and the cinematography reflects the care put into making this is stellar. Only has pacing issues in the beginning and the San Diego aspects, with CGI that doesn't hold up well. ⭑⭑⭑⭑
  • Jurassic Park 3 (2001): The first one without Spielberg directing and its quality reflects that in how this is usually considered most fans least favorite entry. What's holding it back is the bad script, few annoying characters, the screaming performance of Tea Leoni, underwhelming T-Rex moment, and bad special effects (including terrible green screen). However, it's nice to see Sam Neil's character, the kid is good (it's funny to hear that actors puberty going on through his screaming), some cool scenes (like the pterodactyl chase and the water climax), and the runtime is mercifully shorter with the mistakes not being as numerous but still hurtful to the film as a whole. ⭑⭑1/2
  • Jurassic World (2015): Attempting to reboot the series, Colin Trevorrow directed and co-wrote this nostalgia cash grab that over time audiences grew to either enjoy or be annoyed by it. Personally I find this interchangeable with the third film as the entire experience felt unmemorable. The faults holding this down include annoying brothers from divorcing parents put in danger, the two leads Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard having little chemistry and missing character investment, the villain is lackluster and too cartoonish, too many cliched characters with half of them being annoying, and the ludicrous idea of outrunning many dinosaurs in high heels. However, I did enjoy the effectiveness of the Indominus Rex with its abilities, Chris Pratt doing what he can with a limited script including his bond with the raptor Blue, the battle at the end, and the design of the amusement park. ⭑⭑1/2
Plot: Taking place 3 years after the amusement park incident on Isla Nublar, the story follows the newly established protagonists from before as they find themselves uncovering a nefarious scheme when attempting to rescue some dinosaurs from volcanic destruction. The difference in directors is noticeable here where there are a few well crafted horror shots spread throughout that display an effort with lighting and use of environment. There are some actual good moments of a decent movie that feels more fascinating than the product as a whole worth looking out for. For fans of the first 2 entries, there are aspects of those in terms of Easter Eggs, visuals, cameos, and discussion points. There are a few one liners that are kinda funny enough to earn some chuckles along with one of the creatures looking adorable.

However, the biggest problem holding this back are the same issues that held back this predecessor to an even worse level: the script itself. And it's a shame because the director and actors all look like they are doing their best but the writing is incompetent and ludicrous. There's a big plot hole for the main conflict that's never properly addressed and it makes the end choices worse for it. In addition to that, the same nuisance of having too many characters creeps up here with most of them dragging the pacing even more while making our leads forgettable at times. It's reaching an end game that Colin Trevorrow had in mind with the route getting there is aggravating to watch with continuity in mind and the bland state things come to once it finishes. Honestly it all felt like it was a chore list that needed to be accomplished out of obligation instead of something that .

Characters: The people to focus on are Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard). Owen and Claire are former employees of Jurassic World who are coerced into embarking on a mission to save the creatures but get caught in a double cross. Chris and Bryce are given less consistent material to work with as their development is essentially non-existent while having nothing compelling to make them worth rooting for. In fact, whenever the movie shows a clip from the past with one of them involved, any kind of weight from that is overshadowed by everything else that's going too much and trying way too hard. Honorable mention goes to Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) for being one of the best things about the movie, despite only having 2-3 minutes of screen time. Dishonorable mentions go to Franklin (Justice Smith) and Eli (Rafe Spall) for the former being given an irritating and distracting archetype while the latter gives a subpar performance in an over exaggerated role.

Action: Well...with all of the complaints lodged against the story and characters, there's always the main category most audiences come for these: the dinosaurs attacking either each other or humans that get in the way. In this case, having J.A. Bayona as director adds a noticeable flare of horror to the mix, though it's effectiveness varies as it's mixed with some tame parts. On the one hand, there are scenes where the lighting is dark enough to lend itself to the terror these creatures have, notably the first scene being a great example in letting the mood build up that you know something is coming and executing itself well. In fact, one of the best action scenes that delivers great tension is a water scene near the end of the first act. It's the type of problem where, even though you know they have plot armor on, the craft put into it and the timing is watchable fun.

However, this is honestly the most tame dinosaur carnage out of the franchise, which is saying something with what they were capable with a PG-13 rating in the past. Even the predecessor went more insane with the action and carnage compared to this. After the first act, any attempts to feel the tension feels stale depending on the environment. For instance, there's a scenario present with a  crowded room where it's expected for chaos to ensue but since those guests are evil stereotypes, it loses any kind of fear for their lives. While it fulfills the checklist items expected from the series, it has lost the spark and instead it feels like it's been there and done that. Even the new genetically engineered creature wants to appear as a threat like the previous one but it doesn't carry anything that makes it special but more generic and less screen time as it comes late in the third act (complete with the music that's going way too loud and trying too hard).

Overall Consensus: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is a frustrating waste of good actors and a solid director as it has lost its charm through its overcrowded screenplay, predictable cliches, and lackluster energy. ⭑⭑💻 Runtime: 2 hours 8 minutes PG-13

Reasons to watch it: You are a fan of this franchise. You don't mind empty main leads and want to see creatures rampage against each other as well as humans. You enjoyed Jurassic World. You don't want to think when watching a mainstream blockbuster. You don't mind obvious dumb decisions and overused cliches. You won't get annoyed when lava doesn't behave how it should when it gets close to people.

Reasons to avoid it: You are bored by stale adventure flicks. You are tired of bland main leads with no development and chemistry. You hated Jurassic World. You want to think when watching a mainstream blockbuster. You are annoyed with obvious dumb decisions and overused cliches. You get annoyed when lava doesn't behave how it should when it gets close to people.

Coming up next: June has concluded with a major stumble from Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Overall the month itself has been mostly positive with some great highs and some unexpected disappointments. We have arrived at a milestone for this blog: the 100th review! It took almost 2 year to reach this point and after getting worn out from these 2018 releases, I've decided to take a trip back to the 1980s to actually watch a classic that I've never finished before. Tune in next time as Screening Spectacles will commemorate this achievement by taking a look at a beloved classic from Robert Zemeckis that spawned its own trilogy, Back to the Future!!!

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