While I liked the last Jurassic World movie, Dominion, I wasn’t sure what to expect with this next film. I was excited about the cast but didn’t know much about the film besides that. Once I watched the film in the theater, I thought the actors had dynamic performances with a more concise plot than the previous Jurassic films. I found the characters easy to connect with and the film infused just enough dinosaur magic to remind me of my first dinosaur movie.

Jurassic World Rebirth is a science fiction thriller film now showing in theaters directed by Gareth Edwards and written by David Koepp. Seventeen years prior a laboratory set up in the Atlantic on Ile Saint-Hubert is attempting to create hybrid dinosaurs. One of them escapes confinement and forces the personnel to leave. Now, five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the climate is inhospitable to dinosaurs and they have retreated to the equator. Martin Krebs (Rubert Friend), an executive at pharmaceutical company ParkerGenix, recruits Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), a former ex-military covert operative to help him retrieve biomaterial samples of dinosaurs to help him create a drug to treat heart disease. He also brings along paleontologist Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) and Zora recruits her longtime friend Duncan Kinkaid (Mahershala Ali) to lead the expedition on his boat. They set out tracking the Mesosaur that has wrecked the boat of a family sailing around the island, father Reuben (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo), his daughters Teresa (Luna Blaise) and Isabella (Audrina Miranda) and Teresa’s boyfriend Xavier (David Iacono). They rescue the family and get the first sample but encounter unexpected difficulties causing the boat to crash. The family gets separated from them on the island. While Zora, Duncan, Henry and Martin seek out the remaining samples, the family tries to survive and get to the labs. The two groups will have to find a way to reunite and then escape the island before they encounter any of the hybrid killers left behind. The film also stars Ed Skrein, Bechir Sylvain, and Philippine Velge as Duncan’s crew. 

One of the elements I like the best is the evolution of the dinosaurs’ place in the world since the previous films. I found it much more interesting that the dinosaurs would struggle to survive in a world so different from their era. I also found it quite believable that a pharmaceutical company would want to use the unique qualities of dinosaurs to create drugs and be willing to break legal restrictions to make money. I didn’t think it stretched credibility to believe a laboratory had been creating hybrid dinosaurs and tinkering with gene modifications. Enough of that has been hinted at within the previous Jurassic films and it is very human behavior to do so. While the plot is simple, it also is more concise than the previous movies and that actually makes it easier to enjoy. 

I also like that the film grabs buy-in with likeable characters like Henry Loomis and Reuben’s family. While Zora is originally in for the money, I also found her motivations realistic and her struggle with PTSD interesting. Both her and Duncan display a great friendship and while that is created with the performances, that is aided by the writing. Reuben and his daughters are very likable and you easily root for them. Xavier starts out as mostly comic relief but the writing allows his character more complexity along the way. I did laugh at his sheer dumb luck in surviving. His ability to escape danger was endearing.

It is the dynamic performances that allow the movie to shine. Scarlett Johansson is excellent at portraying grief and trauma. She also excels at the action in the part, her performance demonstrating the competence of her character. She has a warm rapport with Mahersala Ali as Duncan. She is witty and warm with Jonathan Bailey’s character Henry. As a group, they resonate with charisma. Mahershala Ali’s character has a terrific arch and he gives a powerful performance that is emotionally beautiful. Jonathan Bailey plays a nerd well, giving us a character that is intelligent and kind, one that revels in the creatures he studies. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo is loving as a father. I love how Luna Blaise as Teresa and Audrina Miranda as Isabella both give their characters spunk and fiery strength. Audrina also does a great job of making us empathize with her as a little girl caught up in a terrifying situation. David Iacono is terrific as Xavier, especially when he reveals hidden depths. Rupert Friend is excellent as Martin Krebs, playing the character to perfection as a rich corporate executive.

While I won’t say this is the most original idea ever, I did like the blend of concepts. The film feels like an updated mix of the original Jurassic Park and The Lost World but that isn’t surprising considering David Koepp wrote both. The dinosaur designs make them feel real and believable. While the plot is solid but predictable in most ways, the movie did have a surprise or two and I liked how there are a couple scenes that give us breathtaking scenes of dinosaurs. 

If you like the original Jurassic Park and are looking for more, I think you will like Jurassic World Rebirth. It is a more concise plot getting back to basics and I found I liked it better than the previous three films. It felt like more of an homage to the Jurassic Park films and I feel like it is definitely a step in the right direction. I loved the dynamic performances and found the characters likable. I especially found Mahershala Ali’s performance the highlight of the movie but I expect only the best from such a talented actor. Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey were brilliant as was Manuel Garcia-Rulfo. The entire cast were brilliant and made the film much better by their acting. You’ll love the dinosaurs but you’ll love the actors more.

Rating: 4 out of 5 flares

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