Last week I was invited by Comcast to attend a preview for Jurassic World. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Jurassic World takes place twenty two years after the events of Jurassic Park. The island, Isla Nublar, is now a fully functioning theme park which has been in operation for ten years. However, attendance is dwindling and a new attraction, in the form of genetically engineered dinosaurs, is created and the results are not what was expected.
My thoughts about this movie:
It’s a THEME PARK with DINOSAURS? Who could ask for anything more?
“All of us”, is the answer. In our more, more, more culture dinosaurs (DINOSAURS!) are not enough. Of course the scientists had to create a new breed of dinosaur to compete with the waning excitement of the people. I found myself agreeing with Chris Pratt, who plays Owen, ex-Navy now Raptor Handler/Research in this exchange with Bryce Dallas Howard, Park Manager Claire:
Claire: Corporate felt genetic modification would up the ‘wow’ factor.
Owen: They’re dinosaurs. ‘Wow’ enough.
This movie is full of action and may not be for the faint of heart. I found myself gasping and scattering popcorn a few times during the action. The dinosaurs are frightening in a thrilling way. I will caution that there is dinosaur on dinosaur attacks and multiple human attacks and they are vicious.
The romantic subplot didn’t feel totally gratuitous: The romantic subplot featuring Bryce Dallas Howard’s “Claire” and Chris Pratt’s “Owen” was . It was a little gratuitous but felt like a throwback to a Tracey/Spencer-esque time.
The kids are not annoying. Nick Robinson’s Zach and Ty Simpkins’ Gray are sent to the island to spend time with their workaholic aunt while their parents may or may not be going through marital issues. The kids are OK. Really. There is none of that nonsense from the third movie (you know, where the kid manages to survive while his mom’s boyfriend, a pretty sporty dude) gets annihilated by dinosaurs. In this movie the kids are behaving appropriately for someone who’s parents are having issues and have been pawned off on a distracted family member.
The supporting cast, while not containing Sam Jackson (may Ray Arnold rest in peace) were phenomenal. Jake Johnson (Nick from New Girl) is hilarious as the control guy.
Of course there are the reoccurring characters: Vincent D’Onofrio continues to embrace being a bad guy (he’s phenomenal as Kingpin on Netflix’s Daredevil) in his role as the obligatory “let’s make some money” guy in the Jurassic World universe. Judy Greer (who I just heart) and Andy Buckley appear as the parents going through something and so they ship the kids off while they work it out.
The movie clocks in at 123 minutes but it does not feel like it. The action was quick, the dialogue good and, best of all, DINOSAURS!
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I hated the first movie when I first saw it, but like it better every time I run across it (well — JEFF GOLDBLUM). I haven’t seen any of the others. Your review makes me want to see this one, but maybe when it comes to DVD?
I saw this on the big screen and I think that is the way to go. But if you must wait, I will say the original Jurassic Park just came on and I watched it on my television. It still holds up.
My daughter is going to see this today with a friend. Your review sounds like you enjoyed it.
We saw Jurassic World in 3D over the weekend. The whole family loved it, especially my son who has been dinosaur obsessed this last year!
I have seen all the previous Jurassic Park movies and can’t wait until I get a chance to go see this one.
I can’t wait to see this! I loved watching these movies as a kid…but I’m sure I’ll have to wait until I can rent it on DVD:(
I vividly remember watching the first Jurassic Park as a teen. I can’t wait to see the newest movie!
I didn’t have a chance to see it but my boys did. They loved the action but not so much the script. Still a good summer movie.
Im going to see this movie hopefully soon, My son saw it and he said it was awesome..funny thing I have never seen the old ones…I’m trying to catch those to lol
I wasn’t planning on seeing this in theaters… I was thinking I’d just wait until it came out on video but now I really want to go see it!