"The park is open"
22 years after the events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nublar is being utilized once again for an even bigger idea, a theme park named "Jurassic World". Head of operations Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) is preparing to unveil the park's newest attraction, a genetically-modified dinosaur called the Indominus Rex. But she's got more than that to juggle, as her two nephews Zach (Nick Robinson) and Gray (Ty Simpkins) are coming to the park to stay with her while their parents work out some issues. While trying to keep everything in tight shape, an error on behalf of the crew causes the Indominus to escape, destroying and eating everything in its path. Claire enlists the help of velociraptor trainer Owen (Chris Pratt) to try to corner the beast and get it under control before it kills the guests.
The overall feel of Jurassic World, not discounting its modern upgrades, screams more 90's than 2015. From the wardrobe, to the cinematography (shot nicely on Kodak stock rather than on digital cameras), to some of the props and sets used, harken back to 90's/early 2000's Hollywood. Even the CGI dinosaurs don't quite look like the most modern CGI used, and kind-of carry a self-homage to the design of the dinosaurs in Jurassic Park.
That being said, especially in the first 30 minutes, Jurassic World references and homages its predecessor in several very clever ways. From some reprises of John Williams' score, to multiple John Hammond references, and even some visual and dialog nods, this may actually be more exciting and cool than the dinosaur-related terrors. Also, the film wisely takes enough time at the beginning to see John Hammond's vision fully realized in a visually-appealing theme park. In this case, Jurassic World sometimes carried a similar level of theme park awe to the Universal Studios park in Florida.
I actually enjoyed Pratt's performance here better than in Guardians of the Galaxy. He brings more of a serious and interesting tone here, despite his character not given as much development as Star Lord. Howard makes an OK female lead, as she does fine with what she's given. She's given a tad more development than Pratt (due to one key scene in the middle), but her character still remains fairly one-dimensional. Simpkins and Robinson are actually given the most development (even if their family issues aren't given a lot of light), and their interactions are fairly believable. The supporting human cast does fine (B.D. Wong, the only actor reprising a role from the original, is given more to do here), though Vincent D'Onofrio isn't given enough to develop his character's insane ambitions.
The visual effects are very solid, with some terror. Michael Giacchino (who has had a busy summer) gives the film a great score, with some terrifically-done nods to Williams' memorable score from the original. The cinematography is a little shaky, especially in the action scenes, but I already mentioned that it feels a bit more old-fashioned than digital cinematography often gives.
On the downside, the pace goes into panic mode at times once the Indominus starts attacking. The film tries to make up for this with some corporate scenes, but some of them felt short and/or forced. Also, like I said, the story lacks a lot of character or plot development. We do get a few very much appreciable scenes highlighting Zach and Gray's familial crisis, but they don't spend enough time on it. One of the best things about the film is how Claire (like John Hammond before) realizes how important spending time with family is. There is one other touching moment between Claire, Owen and a dying (leaf-eating) dinosaur. More unnecessary foul language and blood-spraying than what I would have preferred.
I had watched Jurassic Park on TV not long before going to see this. And, initially, with the first trailer, I wasn't planning on seeing it in theaters (as there was so much else out). But on a double-feature ticket with fellow Universal pic Minions, I then decided to give it a shot.
And the result was a little bit better than I was expecting. Jurassic World, while sometimes scary and overall, doesn't carry much more than what you would expect from a Spielberg-involved production, benefits from a refreshingly nostalgic feel. Even with the upgraded special effects, Jurassic World doesn't feel (at least not always) like a 2015 film, but of one from at least a decade before. Not to mention all of the references to the original as well are exciting.
Director Colin Trovorrow's many entertainingly nostalgic touches, plus some genuinely exciting action scenes (even if they may be scary at times) also make up for some of the film's shallow story and lackluster character development. If there's one movie Jurassic World may remind me of, its last year's Godzilla remake, another action flick that had fewer, but still present old-fashioned touches.
It has some flaws, but its still a fun, entertaining, visually well-crafted flick that has enough flare to make me interested in seeing again as a Redbox rental. For everyone else (leave the younger kids at home though!), its not perfect entertainment, but it would make a solid choice on a rainy day.
Score: 7.3/10
Content Problems Families Should Be Aware Of:
Language: The language is amped up a few notches from the previous movies. Three clearly-heard s-words (and one or two possible other uses, but the loud sound effects make them either somewhat obscured or hard to distinguish). We also hear four uses of "d---", three each of "b--ch" and "h---", and one each of "J----" and "bad---". "Oh my g--" is interjected in fear a half-dozen times.
Adult Content: Claire's outfit/tank top reveals cleavage. Owen talks about a dinosaur's need to eat, hunt, and mate, makes a suggestive hand reference and asks Claire if she can relate to at least "one of those things". In the same scene, he offers to discuss matters with her in "his bungalow". One kiss.
Violence: Several scenes of intense dino-centric violence. The indominus rex is a beast that will frighten youngsters (as will the sea-driven mosasaurus). But it eats various humans, with most of the effects hidden behind a tree or the camera cuts away. Occasionally, blood spurts at the camera or winds up on a window. Also occasionally, audiences hear the neck snapped or bones crushed. A dinosaur bites someone on the head and throws a human into a tree. Another human is stomped on. A velociraptor attacks a human and drags him out of a truck. Another one bites a human on the wrist then kills him off-screen. And another one breaks into a truck. Several people scream. Glass breaks. Guns are shot in one scene. A helicopter crashes and explodes resulting in one noble supporting character's death (in the distance). Pterodactyls swarm the park, crush humans and pick them up and toy around with them. One pterodactyl drops a human into a water, before both being chomped by the mosasaurus while trying to pick up and fly away. Two dinosaurs get into a fight, and one is drowned. An "innocent" dinosaur is killed (along with others) off-screen by the indominus rex. Kids are flipped and spun around in a gyrosphere and are almost killed. Several close calls.
Drugs/Alcohol: Martini glasses are briefly seen. A stray comment involves tequila.
Other: Evolution and "millions of years" are mentioned a handful of times. Zach and Gray break rules a handful of times (though they realize the consequences of those decisions).
