A Whole New World!!!!! Fifth Jurassic Film Delivers on Chills, Thrills, and Set Up For What's To Come!!!!!
Review By Brandon Porter
Story Description
After the catastrophic incident at Jurassic World, Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) has shifted focus to help preserve the life of the creatures she once saw as just numbers. Upon learning that a long-dormant volcano threats the thousands of species on the island, Claire makes it her mission to save all the valuable species. Things get more personal when one of the dinosaurs happens to be the velociraptor named Blue leading former tamer Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) to join the expedition. Facing danger at every corner, Owen and Claire fight the elements to save these various species but soon find themselves the product of a larger conspiracy that could lead to a new age dominated by these prehistoric beasts.
Critical and Financial Analysis
The Jurassic Park franchise is arguably one of the most iconic franchises of all time. When Jurassic World was released in 2015, it blew the roof off of the box office and became a juggernaut financially. Now on the 25th anniversary of the first film, Fallen Kingdom arrives to build on the story of its predecessor as well as deliver some dino-charged summer thrills. Critically, Fallen Kingdom had a very split reception. the film earned a low score of 50% rotten rating from critics while getting an average but a more favorable score of 63% from audiences. Financially, the film stomped out the competition. Fallen Kingdom dominated the weekend with an impressive $150 million dollar opening weekend with an additional $168 million across several other countries for a worldwide total of $711.5 million making it the third largest worldwide release of 2018. As it stands right now, there is no stopping the massive dinosaur franchise as it continues to blow the doors of financial expectations. The odds were stacked against it with a low critical rating and it earning less than it's predecessor but the series manages to find a way to thrive and devour expectations.
Film Review
As a lifelong fan of Jurassic Park, I always see these movies as fun mindless entertainment for the summer with the exception being the forever treasured first film. With Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom, the pieces were in place for the next installment of the revitalized dino franchise to deliver the action, thrills, and Dino mayhem to the summer season. After witnessing the film, it's clear to say the franchise has tossed logic out the window and does it with a smile. Fallen Kingdom comes into the fray aiming to continue the story set up in the previous film but to also give moviegoers some mindless popcorn summer fun and it does a good job at both. Acting wise, the cast is good all around. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard return and carry the film very well thanks to their fun chemistry and playful banter. A surprising standout in the movie was newcomer Isabella Sermon. The child element was a real weak point in the previous film but I found her to be a very great addition to the film. Despite an overly absurd twist involving her character, she does a great job and found her to be a real bright spot in the film. Action wise, the film is full of more action than its predecessor that range from downright chaotic to genuine tension-filled thrills. Which brings me to one of my biggest compliments of the film. This is one of the first Jurassic Park films in a while that have a genuine terror element. Terror has always been a staple in the franchise and Fallen Kingdom has sequences that give the film a true horror vibe that hasn't been felt since the 1993 classic. Glad to know the film remembers its roots and have moments that can genuinely terrify its viewers. What is even more intriguing is what this film sets up for the future of the franchise. The possibilities are endless with so many roads to take. Who knows where it will lead. Overall, Jurassic World Fallen Kingdom is a mindless but all around enjoyable summer action popcorn fest. It where's its absurdity like a badge of honor and delivers moments that will both thrill and scare its viewers. With so much potential for what the next film or films will be, life will certainly find a way to make this series a summer juggernaut for years to come.