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Jurassic World Rebirth needs some more time in the incubator
Jurassic World Rebirth needs some more time in the incubator

The Verge

time8 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • The Verge

Jurassic World Rebirth needs some more time in the incubator

The entire point of Jurassic World Rebirth is to get the franchise back into audiences' good graces with a new set of characters and a story meant to tap into the spectacular energy that made the original such a huge hit. All the same ingredients are there — dinosaurs running amok in a tropical paradise, humans running for their lives, and a sizable enough VFX budget to, theoretically, make it all look dazzling on the big screen. But for all of its attempts at being thrilling crowd pleaser, there's a limpness to Jurassic World Rebirth that makes it feel like a film that might have been better suited for one of the streamers. Set a few years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, Rebirth follows as a fresh group of overconfident humans find themselves travelling to Ile Saint-Hubert, an island populated with genetically engineered dinosaurs that refuse to be controlled. Because the world's climate has become so drastically different in the time since dinosaurs first walked the earth, the island is one of the few places that the creatures can still thrive. People generally understand that the island and its surrounding waters are too dangerous to venture into because there are few ways to really fight back against a hulking reptile with an innate urge to chomp at anything that moves. But there is plenty of money to be made from the wonder drugs that can be derived from the dinosaurs' genetic material. That's why pharmaceutical executive Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) is able to convince paleontologist Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) and tactical experts Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) and Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali) to go on a secret mission that goes sideways. It's far less clear why divorcee Reuben Delgado (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) is so intent on sailing near the island with his daughters Teresa (Luna Blaise) and Isabella (Audrina Miranda), and Teresa's boyfriend Xavier Dobbs (David Iacono). The family is helpless when their tiny boat is ambushed by a group of aquatic dinos that see the humans as a tasty snack. And once the family manages to get themselves onto the shore, they seem not to understand how much easily avoidable danger they've put themselves in. Though Rebirth brings all of its human characters together rather quickly, the movie never does a very good job of tying their arcs together in a way that makes it seem like this is the story screenwriter David Koepp and director Gareth Edwards originally set out to tell. Bennett's team and Delgado's family both feel like groups of people from very different films. They're all riffs on characters from previous Jurassic projects in a way that speaks to Universal seeing this latest installment as something like a soft reboot. That wouldn't be so bad if Rebirth could match its predecessors' energy and present its mutated dinosaurs in more imaginative, exciting ways. But, aside from one stressful set piece on the side of a mountain where pterosaurs nest, the movie plays things surprisingly safe. That safeness underlines how straightforward and video game-y Rebirth's central narrative is. Bennet and Loomis need to take samples from three specific kinds of dinosaurs that each live in different parts of the island. And as the humans collect their prizes, it becomes increasingly clear that they are wandering into a series of death traps. For a while, it seemed that Universal was embracing the idea of putting dinosaurs back at the top of the food chain. Jurassic World was full of promise because it implied that the franchise was going in a new direction that could lend itself to different kinds of big budget spectacle. But Rebirth takes things back to square one, and its flatness points to a tame, relatively boring future for the series. Jurassic World Rebirth also stars Ed Skrein, Philippine Velge, and Bechir Sylvain. The movie is in theaters now.

Jurassic World Rebirth review: 3/5 stars- Johansson and Ali elevate a familiar franchise
Jurassic World Rebirth review: 3/5 stars- Johansson and Ali elevate a familiar franchise

Straits Times

time18 hours ago

  • Entertainment
  • Straits Times

Jurassic World Rebirth review: 3/5 stars- Johansson and Ali elevate a familiar franchise

Jurassic World Rebirth (PG13) 133 minutes, now showing ★★★☆☆ The story: Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion (2022), dinosaurs are extinct everywhere except for a narrow band around the tropics, because the zone most closely resembles the prehistoric Earth in which they once flourished. Mercenary Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson) leads a team that includes fellow ex-soldier Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali) and palaeontologist Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey). They have been hired to raid an island to collect biological samples from three of the largest dinosaurs. Their mission is interrupted by a distress call from a family, whose sailboat has strayed too close to the danger zone. If the synopsis sounds familiar, that is because it was meant to be – the seventh movie in the franchise is a deliberate return to roots. And this is a welcome return, not because Jurassic World Rebirth itself is good – as nostalgia trips go, it is merely okay. But it was time for the series to shed its bloat. In the fourth to sixth films (Jurassic World, 2015; Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, 2018; Jurassic World Dominion), dinosaurs were normalised as theme-park attractions before becoming widespread all over the world. The creatures were sometimes the danger, but other times, an evil corporation was the baddie. The stories became a sprawling, loosely-connected set of adventures fronted by an action hero, Chris Pratt's velociraptor trainer Owen Grady, a character written to be generically likeable and therefore instantly forgettable. Rebirth reins it all in. The reptilians are now confined to one place because of 'science'. This set-up allows director Gareth Edwards to set up a heist movie - get in, get the goods, get out alive - with a focus on a single group. This he does extremely well, as he showed in previous character-driven action pieces that include the rebooted Godzilla (2014) and space fantasy Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016). Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 3 out of 4 in Singapore cannot identify deepfake content: Cyber Security Agency survey Singapore New $7.5m fund to encourage social service agencies to track impact of their programmes Singapore GrabCab, Singapore's newest taxi operator, hits the roads with over 40 cabs to be rolled out in July Life Star Awards 2025: Xiang Yun and Chen Hanwei are the most decorated actors in show's 30-year history World Paramount settles with Trump over '60 Minutes' Harris interview for $20 million Asia Dalai Lama says he will have successor after his death Business Cathay Cineplexes gets demand for $3.4 million in arrears from Jem landlord Singapore Man charged over allegedly receiving scam proceeds of more than $1.5m in his firm's bank accounts Where it all falls apart lies in the film's role as a corporate product that must have sequel potential. This means that main characters wear plot armour that protects them from death or serious injury – this reduces the emotional stakes considerably. Supporting characters with an instantly recognisable feature – an accent, or exaggerated machismo or a distinct headband - are marked for a gruesome death, a fact that becomes as clear as a face tattoo the moment they appear. The monster attack scenes are tension-filled, but weakened considerably by questionable computer graphics and character choices that make no sense, with exhibit No. 1 being the fact that someone would take a tiny sailboat anywhere within a thousand kilometres of a dinosaur island. As the covert operative who is the perfect yin-yang combination of toughness and empathy, Zora is made believable only by Johansson's abilities as an actress. Double Oscar winner Ali is also outstanding as her equally capable teammate; only an actor of his calibre can believably deliver dialogue about grief and heartbreak in one scene, then fight plane-sized raptors in the next. If Rebirth does well at the box office – and there is no reason to think that it would not – viewers are set for at least two more films featuring Johansson and Ali, with Edwards directing. It would be hard to think of three people more capable of carrying the franchise. Hot take: A competently crafted but predictably safe return to form that succeeds mainly through stellar performances, rather than genuine storytelling innovation.

'Jurassic World Rebirth' movie review: Dinos still rule over rickety plot
'Jurassic World Rebirth' movie review: Dinos still rule over rickety plot

USA Today

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • USA Today

'Jurassic World Rebirth' movie review: Dinos still rule over rickety plot

Over the years, the 'Jurassic Park' movies have settled into a tried-and-true formula: celebrate the dinosaurs, tolerate the humans. With 'Jurassic World Rebirth' (★★½ out of four; rated PG-13; in theaters July 2), that song – specifically, the roar of a hungry T. rex – remains the same, although director Gareth Edwards at least tries something different by throwing a heist movie into the usual perilous adventure. But homages to Steven Spielberg's 1993 original, a starry cast (including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey and Oscar winner Mahershala Ali) and dinos aplenty can only do so much when saddled with generic characters and a rickety plot. Join our Watch Party! Sign up to receive USA TODAY's movie and TV recommendations right in your inbox Some time has passed since Chris Pratt and Jeff Goldblum led an epic team-up in 'Jurassic World Dominion.' The planet's environmental conditions have proven unkind to the prehistoric animals unleashed all over the world, while humanity has pretty much lost all interest in these majestic creatures. That's the setup for one heck of a thought-provoking movie but why do that when we can return to a lush remote island (again) for more dangerous shenanigans (again). Shady pharmaceutical guy Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) is in need of live dino DNA to produce a potential miracle cure for heart disease. He taps covert operative Zora Bennett (Johansson) to lead a team and help paleontologist Henry Loomis (Bailey) to snag some blood from three giant species: one each from land, sea and air. On a boat captained by Zora's good-hearted pal Duncan Kincaid (Ali), they head to a former research facility near the equator – where dinos thrive – and rescue a vacationing family that's been marooned in the Atlantic Ocean by a mosasaur. That ends up complicating the narrative as they separate and 'Rebirth' turns into two movies: Zora and Co. on their genetic mission, and the other folks trying not to get eaten by various toothy critters. One positive to that lack of focus means more screen time with different dinos, which really is the main reason why anybody's going to watch this movie outside of Bailey's new 'Wicked' superfans. Of all the human roles, his Loomis is the only one that seems like someone put some thought into the character. He's a throwback to the days of Sam Neill's Alan Grant, a smart dude who much like the audience sees the dinos for how awesome they are. And they are really cool. The T. rex is back, of course, and gets pretty irked when woken up from a nap. A baby Aquilops named Dolores is the most adorable little thing ever. The mosasaur has henchman spinosaurs – a nice touch – while a titanosaurus couple shares a loving moment (which gets interrupted by some pesky humans). There's also a new big bad dino called the D. rex (or Distortus rex, if you're fancy), a mutated monster that looks like a combo of the Elephant Man and a T. rex. It's got a large set of arms and an extra set of tiny arms to go with its ginormous forehead. Most of the time you'll be rooting for those guys over the humans. (And if you want to see some people get eaten rather viciously, you're in luck!) Edwards has a penchant for large spectacle movies with a big budget and a bigger message (see: 'Godzilla,' 'Rogue One'), and while this 'Rebirth' isn't exactly a thinking man's 'Jurassic,' there's enough B-movie craziness to keep it enjoyable. This franchise probably should have been extinct a while ago. We're stuck with it, though, so might as well go with the pterosaur flow. How to watch 'Jurassic World Rebirth' "Jurassic World Rebirth" is in theaters July 2 and is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association "for intense sequences of violence/action, bloody images, some suggestive references, language and a drug reference." The six previous "Jurassic" movies are all streaming on Peacock.

Is Jurassic World Rebirth streaming on Netflix or Prime Video? Here's what we know
Is Jurassic World Rebirth streaming on Netflix or Prime Video? Here's what we know

Mint

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • Mint

Is Jurassic World Rebirth streaming on Netflix or Prime Video? Here's what we know

The seventh instalment of the dino-filled Jurassic Park saga, Jurassic World Rebirth, is hitting the theatres on Wednesday, July 2, just ahead of the United States holiday weekend. But if you are hoping to catch the action-packed fourth film of the modern Jurassic World franchise from your couch, you will need to hold off a little longer. Directed by Gareth Edwards, Jurassic World Rebirth introduces a fresh cast and storyline to the franchise. Set five years after Jurassic World Dominion, humans are still struggling to coexist with dinosaurs. Enter Scarlett Johansson, who leads a covert team to a remote island now overrun by prehistoric beasts. Also starring Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali, Rupert Friend, and Ed Skrein, this latest chapter delivers action, tension, and plenty of toothy, roaring chaos. Written by Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, the film is produced by Steven Spielberg's Amblin Entertainment. The film is not streaming anywhere yet, as per a Decider report. To watch it now in cinema halls, you can check your local listings and book tickets through sites like Fandango. Moreover, do not expect to find Jurassic World Rebirth on Netflix anytime soon. Since it is a Universal Pictures release, the film is reportedly set to follow the studio's standard streaming route and head to Peacock, NBCUniversal's streaming platform, after its theatrical run. The movie, however, could eventually be available to rent or buy on Prime Video. Yes, the film will eventually stream on Peacock, but Universal has not yet announced an official streaming date. However, if it follows a similar timeline to the studio's recent blockbuster Twisters, you can expect Jurassic World Rebirth to be available digitally by August this year. The movie could arrive on Peacock around November 2025. No. As a Universal Pictures film, it is not expected to stream on Netflix. Not yet. The movie will eventually be available to rent or buy on Prime Video, but it won't be included with a standard Prime subscription. While no official date has been confirmed, it may begin streaming on Peacock around November 2025. No. Jurassic World Rebirth is currently available only in theatres as of July 2. Scarlett Johansson leads a new cast that includes Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey and Rupert Friend.

Jurassic Park Films Ranked: Here are all 7 dinosaur-wrangling movies rated from best to worst
Jurassic Park Films Ranked: Here are all 7 dinosaur-wrangling movies rated from best to worst

Scotsman

timea day ago

  • Entertainment
  • Scotsman

Jurassic Park Films Ranked: Here are all 7 dinosaur-wrangling movies rated from best to worst

4 . Jurassic World Rebirth (2025) Here's dome good news for Jurassic Park fans - the latest film in the franchaise is getting pretty good reviews. It's the last of the seven films to score over half marks on Rotten Tomatoes, with a rating of 54 per cent (and with plenty more to come). It's five years after the events of 'Jurassic World Dominion', and most of the palnet's dinosaur population has died out due to the inhospitable environment of the modern world. When it's found that dinosaur blood has an unusual - and profitable - property, a group are sent to an isolated (dino-populated) island on a secret mission. Acting heavyweights Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey lead the cast. | Contributed

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