Jurassic World (Colin Trevorrow, 2015): USA

Reviewed by Richard M.

In 1993, Universal Studios and Steven Spielberg (Jaws, ET: The extra-terrestrial, Indiana Jones) had the idea to create one of most favored films in modern film history. Jurassic Park (1993), printed its name on Hollywood; winning 3 Oscars and also 24 other awards including: Best Sound, Best Special and Effects and Best Writing. It is recognized on IMDB’s website as #212 of #250 best voted films in our time. The first installment profited at $63,000,000, and with the special effects and CGI of the 90s, Jurassic Park was soon a family favorite capturing tons of recognition around the world. The idea of the films were taken from the novels by Michael Crichton, who published Jurassic park in the late 80’s, he then also went on to publish the first sequel Jurassic Park: The Lost World in 1997 which was later created into another Spielberg film. Although the film wasn’t as successful, it wasn’t deemed a failure; some critics would disagree, however, the figures speak for themselves. Jurassic Park returned to our screen in 2001, with new director Joe Johnston (Jumanji, Captain America) along with leading actor Sam Neill who previously starred with Richard Attenborough and Lauren Dern in the first adaption of Crichton’s novel. Although Spielberg wasn’t the director, his influence is still placed on the film through his producing traits.

September 2013 marked a date that Jurassic Park fans wouldn’t forget. It was announced by Universal that the fourth installment of the series, named Jurassic World would be hitting the screen in the summer of 2015. It was also announced that again, Spielberg would not be sitting in the director’s chair, instead it would be passed on to what some people would believe to be a “novice” of a director, Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed). In an interview online with ScreenSlam, it was a truly Spielberg that decided that Trevorrow would be the best director after himself to director the latest film .Trevorrow as well, decided to change the original name of Jurassic Park IV in light to create a new “feel” to the series.

The film, set on the island of Costa Rica, saw a new theme park with the original vision of John Hammond’s previous park on Isla Nublar. The theme park would see new dinosaurs including the water creature, the Mosasaurus, -as well as the old favorites- in captivities for the thousands of fans to come and witness. The park would also be the home to a hybrid dinosaur, developed within the laboratories on the island. This dinosaur however, would prove to be seen destructive on a whole new level. A level that no dinosaur from the previous three films had ever experienced. The cross modification of the movies “poster boy” creatures of the Tyrannosaurus Rex and the Velociraptors along with other unknown genetics, seemed to be too much for the scientists to handle as the Indominus Rex single handedly destroys the parks and many of its employees.

The movie sees the vacation of two brothers Zach and Grey (Nick Robinson and Ty Simpkins), visit the island and their Aunt Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) who is the parks operating manager. Claire, who hasn’t seen the boys in some years, gave them VIP passes to the parks rides and attractions. Along the way, the genetically modified Indominus Rex sets loose on the island after out smarting the scientists and Velociraptor trainer and former Navy solider Owen (Chris Pratt). During the destruction of the Rex, Zach and Ty manage to get away from their “nanny” who their Aunt Claire had assigned to take them around the park, are still out in one of the attractions that consisted of exploring the fields in a gyrosphere, a glass ball that is invisible to the dinosaurs. The attraction was shut part way through as a result of the I-Rex’s destructive path. The boys, who chose to ignore the precautions given out by the parks operators, decide to explore even more but wander into the way of the beast. Claire, who turns to Owen, pursues in looking for the boys. During the excavation, the Indominus Rex manages to find the boys, leading them to running from the dinosaur and plummeting into a waterfall pool, throwing off the attention of the Rex. The boys are reunited with their Aunt during an air parade of Pterodactyls and screaming visitors.

When watching this film in the movies, one scene really stood out to me as a Jurassic Park fan. Briefly after when Ty and Gray jump into the waterfall pool, they begin to walk into the forest areas of the island. They stumble across an old, abandoned building that is covered in vines and ivy, hidden away from the park and the rest of the visitors. They push open a door, and in the background, the famous music composed by John William’s begins to play softly as the fans from 1992 remember; the famous ending to Spielberg’s first Jurassic film. The boys had walked in on the old visiting center of John Hammond’s original building. This to me, was a great touch on the film. It brought a shiver to my spine as it was almost a reminiscing sightseeing the building again, but this time completely deprived and lost. Ty and Gray eventually get through to a garage where they would find one of the old jeeps that Sam Neill and Jeff Goldblum would drive during the first installment. They remember fixing their grandparents’ old Malibu, and decide to give the car a quick fix. The scene in the film was possibly one of the most farfetched as it didn’t all quite add up. Two boys of high school and younger ages wouldn’t be able to fix a car within the time they had, however, the scene before it was touching and it had Spielberg written all over it.

During the eviction of the island; Owen, Claire and the boys find themselves confronted by the Velociraptors that Owen has previously found himself training. As the Indominus Rex approaches, the Raptors turn on the orders given by the Rex as it was able to communicate due to the half genes. The fight breaks loose, and the dinosaurs bite and scratch their way into a battle of the fittest. Claire, who is reminded by her nephew Ty, speaks out of the films motto of needing “more teeth” in order to help the Velociraptors. She grabs a flare and decides to introduce the old demon, and almost forgotten McGuffin of the film, the T-Rex. The two fight it out, and with the aid of the last remaining Velociraptors, the Indimonus Rex falls towards the water cage, where the giant that was the Mosasaurs manages to lock on with the I-Rex’s neck and drag it into the water.

A turning point in the film was definitely the meet between the Indominus Rex and the trained Velociraptors during the confrontation between the monsters. For me, it worked perfectly on a story view and also a personal view. Owen, who had been training the dinosaurs since his arrival on the island,  agreed to used them alongside himself to help try and track the Rex and take him down, using the raptors as “man power”. Following the 3 previous films, this worked perfectly as man and beast came together instead of fighting against each other. However, this wasn’t until the raptors found the Rex; and to theirs, Owens and the security’s surprise, the raptors had turned on them after the film revealed that the Rex was half T-Rex and half Velociraptors, leading the animals to communicate. This to me was a great method of twisting the plot, it enabled us to relive the rivalry that we once had in the previous film. You could see In Owens facial expression and emotion that he wasn’t going to harm the creatures. This lead to Owen fleeing from the seen as a sign of protection and also to help back at the base with Claire and the boys.

Every last detail of the film was shot perfectly. The graphics team that were on set have truly mastered this film. When comparing it to other versions, you can tell how far that CGI and special effects have gone since the early 90s. Even the more recent film of Jurassic Park 3, the difference in the last 14 years is nothing short of impressive.  The details of the dinosaurs in particular were amazing. The graphics with their skin, eyes and movements made them very realistic. The film was shot in 3D, I believe if I had seen this film in that format it may have been more up close and personal with the beats. The plot was well thought out, after scrapping plots for the past 10 years or so, I think that they without doubt decided to go with the right storyline.

Jurassic World currently is charging through the film charts. It already has grossed over $1,000,000,000 worldwide making it the 11th most grossed film of all time and it doesn’t look like it’s going to slow down. The film is the 2nd biggest film to be distributed through universal pictures, and is the fastest grossed film of the Jurassic series. Colin Trevorrow along with his crew and cast members has given, in my opinion, the only real Jurassic Park sequel justice behind the original Spielberg masterpiece. Although the film has some faults, like all movies, it is a brilliant watch and one of the “must” watches of the year. With twists, spins and a lot staff being eaten in between, Jurassic World was worth the 14 year wait behind the last film. Being a huge Jurassic Park fan myself, I would love to see the series being buried, having reached its long awaited peak; however, another sequel could be in the making. If Universal decide to extend the series, let’s hope it’s not another 14 years!