2022 Summer Movie Season - Jurassic World Dominion: Review & Analysis

 Dawn and Dusk!!!! Concluding Chapter of Jurassic Era is an Unserious and Fun Summer Romp !!!!!

Review By Brandon Porter

The new age has dawned.

Story Description

The signs were always there, the danger was always present yet we persisted in manipulating mother nature to our will. Now, a new age has dawned. Years after the destruction of Isla Nublar and the release of the dinosaurs into the modern world, humanity is adjusting to the planet being once again inhabited by its original occupants. Among those adjusting to these new times is Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dering (Bryce Dallas Howard). Alongside their adopted daughter Maisie (Isabella Sermon), Owen and Claire receive an unexpected visit from Owen's old raptor companion Blue along with her young baby. While the reunion is sweet and welcome, Owen is called into action once more when Blue's offspring is captured and taken. Determined to get her back, Owen, Maisie, and Claire embark on a perilous journey alongside old and new allies including legendary paleontologists Ellie Staller (Laura Dern), dino and fossil expert Alan Grant (Sam Neill), and mathematician Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum). Together, they must rely on each other and the will to survive as they face the threats and dangers of a world that is no longer their own.

Owen, Claire and Maisie with Beta

Film Review

The Jurassic Park franchise has long been one of cinema's most iconic and influential series. With multiple films spanning almost 3 decades, the movies have thrilled, terrified, and enthralled multiple generations of audiences. The latest entry sees the series go into unknown territory as it explores the concept of dinosaurs and mankind coexisting within modern society. It's a bold step for the series and one that takes the franchise into uncharted waters. With returning characters from the previous Jurassic World films in addition to fan favorites from the beloved classic from 1993, Jurassic World Dominion looks to conclude the current era of the series with a showstopping conclusion that puts a cap on nearly 30 years of dino storytelling. After going on this latest Jurassic adventure, Dominion is a fun summer romp that is enjoyable with the right mindset going in. This franchise has experienced great wealth and success in its nearly 3-decade history. That said, since the release of the 1993 classic, the franchise has transitioned into a more blockbuster romp approach. That idea was fully brought into fruition when Jurassic World was released in 2015. Seen more as summer action thrillers, the series seemed more interested in spectacle than introducing complex concepts about the dangers of genetic tampering. Dominion had the opportunity to really flesh out the consequences of this through the backdrop of dinosaurs freely roaming within society. Does it explore it to its full potential? No. But that isn't too much of a deterrent to what is still a fun ride. For one, the movie works thanks to its loaded ensemble of new and returning talent. Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Isabella Sermon are welcome returns and are solid in their roles. But the real drawing point is Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum returning as Alan, Ellie, and Ian. It is such a treat to see them back in these iconic roles and their interactions with the Jurassic World characters are fun to watch. The new characters also bring some fresh life to the film too. DeWanda Wise is a standout as rogue pilot Kayla Watts. Her swagger and dry humor made her an instant hit with me and was a welcome addition to the roster of non-dino. Others including Omar Sy and Henry Wu were fun to see back as well with the latter getting a nice redemptive arc by the film's end. The cast really helped make this movie engaging when there weren't any dinosaurs on screen. 

Some seriously dangerous road hazards

Of course, the dinos are the REAL stars, but the human characters drive the narrative forward and thankfully they aren't dragging the story down. The film does make sure however to put the dinosaurs front and center at every chance resulting in some intense and frenetic action sequences. The sequence in Italy was a particularly strong highlight with fast-paced action and tension while only scratching the surface of the world that has changed around them. This brings me to a valid critique. Introducing the concept of dinosaurs and humans living together was a bold move to make at the conclusion of Fallen Kingdom. But while some angles are explored, it isn't to the degree that makes the story more interesting than it is. The movie is still fun to see but really diving into the meat of this newly formed world could have worked to the film's benefit just a bit. Despite that, it still offers goofy fun and thrills and there isn't much more I can ask than that. All in all,  Jurassic World Dominion is a solid summer action romp with plenty of nostalgia and dinosaurs to keep people entertained throughout. It isn't as complex or as thought-provoking as its superior predecessors but when you are there to see dinos do some dino damage, can you really be mad when you get it? 

Rating and Final Thoughts

A solid concluding chapter to the Jurassic era of this nearly 30-year franchise. Full of nostalgia, thrills,
and spectacle despite not quite being as complex or deep as the ones that came before.

Here is to a hopeful road of new discoveries in 
this world reborn.