Displaying items by tag: Ed Skrein

JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH

US, 2025, 134 minutes, Colour.

Scarlet Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Mayerasha Ali, Ed Skrein, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaose, David Iacono.

Directed by Gareth Edwards.

It is 32 years since Steven Spielberg skilfully drew us into the world of Jurassic Park, bringing to life the story and characters written by Michael Crichton. Spielberg himself made a sequel in 1997. But, over the years, quite a number of ventures into and adventures in the Jurassic World. And another one…?

Best to say immediately that this reviewer quite enjoyed this Rebirth. Certainly, many of the reviewers will say that it is formulaic, that the characters and the action are what we might expect, that we know what the dinosaurs are like, what they are capable of, what they will do in terms of menacing those who venture/intrude into this Jurassic World. And it is true that this film is formulaic (even written by regular Spielberg collaborator, David Koepp).

But the point to be made is that in a way, the formula doesn’t matter. It is what happens within the formula that is important. And, inside the formula here are a whole lot of episodes designed to keep the audience anxious, on the edge of their seats, feeling the sense of menace, and enjoying it all at the same time. It works.

The opening shows the island where experiments taking place in the 2000s. Apparently everybody had got used to dinosaurs, going to zoos and other exhibitions to watch them, but now finding other things to amuse. The museums are closing down in the cities but on the island, there are experiments to make bigger and more menacing dinosaurs. Then, an initial moment which seems to undermine the credibility of the film, one of the experts opens what looks like a Mars Bar and carelessly drops the wrapper. Needless to say, it is swept into the machines and causes havoc – and the careless wrapper is devoured by a dinosaur! All that within the first few minutes. The experimental station is closed down. And the dinosaurs, some even more gigantic, are on the loose.

Then, to the present. A group of entrepreneurs, mercenaries, scientists, Rupert Friend, Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, taking on these roles, set out on a mission to the equator, where numerous dinosaurs are still swimming, to get blood samples which, it is hoped, would contribute to the preparation of pharmaceuticals to alleviate heart disease.

In case this was all too is expert-oriented, there is a Hispanic family on a boat, father, two daughters and a lazy boyfriend, who are attacked by a dinosaur, boat overturned, rescued and sharing the action of the scientific expedition.

The impact of the film is the enormous range of action adventures, dangers, menace, a Jurassic World on the ocean. But, then a crash landing of the boat, survivors onshore, and the trek through the jungle, mountains and rivers, to a helicopter rescue intended near the old buildings.

Scarlet Johansson in charge, we are in good hands, backed up by a genial Mahershala Ali. Motivations are mixed, especially greed and the fatigue of the millionaire pharmaceutical entrepreneur. But, the best of intentions will prevail.

Yes, the Jurassic formula, but plenty of exciting confrontations with the dinosaurs.

1. More than 30 years of Jurassic Park/Jurassic World? The tradition? Dinosaurs, experimentation, consequences?
2. The prologue, 17 years earlier, the island, the Centre for experimentation, the careless scientist and the wrapper, the breakdown, the disaster, his being destroyed? The island abandoned? Memories of the earlier films?
3. The present, the different situation, people used to dinosaurs, in zoos, exhibits, lesser interest? The scientists, studies? The closing of the zoos, the closing of the museums?
4. Martin Krebs, his character, pharmaceuticals, big business? His background? His approaching Zora Bennett, her background, character, mercenary? Motivations, money? The discussions, her agreement, the proposal, the particular dinosaurs, to get samples of their blood, to be used for heart condition experimentation and medications? The approach to Henry Loomis, his work at the Museum, knowledge, quiet life, his decision to go on the expedition?
5. The surviving dinosaurs, around the equator, people forbidden to go to the area? Martin Krebs, Zora and the link with Kinkcaid, his boat, the bargaining, the two members of his crew? Setting out on the expedition?
6. The Jurassic world of the Ocean, the surviving dinosaurs, their size (and the special effects)?
7. The family, on the boat, a family reunion, the genial father, the teenage daughter about to study in New York City, the saviour, her lazy boyfriend, Isabella and her age? The discussions, the situation, the approach of the dinosaur, overturning the boat, the fact that they were seen, the flare, the rescue?
8. The approach to the dinosaur, the size, the activity, the threats? Zora, attempting to shoot the dart, eventually succeeding? The dangers, Henry collaborating, the family on the boat, Martin Krebs and his urging them on? Kincaid and his observing?
9. The continued dangers, the threats of the dinosaurs, the decision to crash land the boat, the family falling out, the daughter and Krebs not rescuing her, stopping her calling the Mayday signal? Her resentment? The contrast with Xavier, showing some heroism, leaving of the boat to save his girlfriend?
10. The members of the crew, packing up, leaping from the boat, the landing, the crewmember and her pushing the load, taken by the dinosaur?
11. The action of the family, making their way to the village, the dangers, the dinosaurs, taking cover, the little dinosaur and the daughter, the licorice? The sentiment with the pet? The father and his leg injury? Audience participation in the dangers, in the night, Xavier peeing and the fight behind him? The pipeline, finding the pier, the raft, inflating it, the attack of the dinosaur, overturning it, the hiding, the little girl under the raft, turning it over, the continued ride, their arriving at the ruined base?
12. The team, the journey through the valleys, the mountains, the dinosaurs, the huge dinosaurs with the long tails, able to get the sample? On the cliff, the sheer cliff face, going down, the member of the crew taken by the dinosaur? Zora and Henry, into the cave, the eggs, the attack of the mother, repelling her, with the egg, Krebs and Kincaid and the ropes, the final rescue? Making their way to the base?
13. The base, abandoned, the cafeteria, hearing Stand by Me? Everybody reunited? The daughter and her resentment towards Krebs? The strategies, the attack of the dinosaurs, winding the underground tunnels? The various adventures in the tunnels, Krebs and his taking the vehicle, with the samples? The drive, out-of-control, confrontation with the dinosaurs, his crash and death?
14. Kincaid, wanting to help, the helicopter, the surveillance, turning back, Henry lighting the flare? The helicopter crash? The interactions, Kincaid with the flare, tracking the dinosaur towards him, the others escaping, getting to the shore, the dangers, the little girl with her pet, the boat, everybody on board, sailing away, the flare and the rescue of Kincaid?
15. The generally formulaic plot – but audiences not minding the formula because of the vitality, interest and tensions of all the episodes?