Displaying items by tag: Mahershala Ali

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?

LEAVE THE WORLD BEHIND

US, 2023, 140 minutes, Colour.

Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la Herreld, Farrah Mackenzie, Charlie Evans, Kevin Bacon.

Directed by Sam Esmail.

The title is to be taken more literally than we might initially have been expecting. At first, it is used to explain an enjoyable weekend away on Long Island, the family renting a beautiful house, comfortable, swimming pool, access to the beach… And it it has been arranged efficiently by the mother, Amanda, a rather tough Julia Roberts, sales consultant, harshly sour view of clients and human nature. By contrast, Ethan Hawke is Clay, her husband, Professor of literature and media. And there are two children, Archie, 16, and Rose, 13, obsessed, even in the drive to the holiday house, with finishing all the episodes of Friends.

It all seems happy enough and off they go to the beach. Then the first sign – an oil tanker glimpsed out at sea, getting closer, finally barging ashore on the sand. All is not well. The familiar world will have to be left behind.

There are various ominous signs, some deer in the back garden appearing, phones and Wi-Fi going out, no television. Then, mysterious noises at night – and a father and daughter knocking at the door in the early hours, claiming that this was their house, that there were blackouts in New York and they decided to come back home.

Which means then that the audience has got to know the family first, is suspicious of the newcomers, but being asked to identify with the harsh treatment interrogation by Amanda or with the more genial approach by Clay. As it turns out, the owners of the house are GH, a talented financial adviser, played by two-time Oscar winner, Mahershala Ali, and his teenage daughter, Ruth (who can match Amanda in clashes, suspicions and invective) played by Myha’la Herrold.

During the rest of this rather long film, there are more ominous signs, even more deer gathering, flamingos swooping into the swimming pool, brief phone messages to say that there is a blackout and perhaps services being hacked. And, there are scenes of dialogue and interaction, GH and Amanda being able to settle some of their differences, Ruth asking Clay embarrassing questions about his life. And the two teenagers puzzled, exploring the surrounding woods, Archie getting an infection with dire consequences for his teeth, Rose, wandering, watching  the deer.

When GH goes to try to get some help and information from neighbours, he discovers chaos, bodies, and an airliner crashing. Clay has tried to drive to town to find help but encountered a frantic Spanish-speaking woman he cannot understand. And a drone follows him dropping leaflets, in Arabic, Death to America.

The audience is invited to share the suspicions, the uncertainties, the growing paranoia. And there is a dramatic scene when GH and Clay take Archie for some medical help from a neighbour, played by Kevin Bacon. Tension, confrontation, defensive…

Is this the end of the world? Who knows? Suggestions of the Russians, Koreans, the Pentagon, finances and deals, creating wariness, hostilities, a destructive civil war, and images of nuclear bombs. Some have been very critical of the final sequence, too laid back all – in a well-stocked bunker, a quiet scene, Rose discovering final episode of Friends…

Older audiences and movie buffs may be reminded of the film and/or television series based on Nevil Shute’s end of the world novel, On the Beach (and the film’s Melbourne ending).

1. The title and expectations? The family going on a holiday, leaving everything behind? The change of tone, the end of the world?
2. The popularity of apocalyptic themes, disasters, the end of the world? Tradition in literature and cinema?
3. The structure of the film, the success of chapters in their tone, meaning?
4. The plausibility of the plot, the initial sign of the tanker, menacing, coming closer to the shore, frightening people, on the beach? The loss of communications, phones, Wi-Fi, television? The story of hacking? Stories of powerful people, wealth, defence budgets, conspiracies? Targeting Korea, Russia, Iran, financiers, powerbrokers?
5. GH and his explanations, his job and moving money, his contacts, famous people, the Pentagon, plans for a people, hacking, blackouts, loss of communications, falls information, building up to Civil War, bombs and destruction?
6. Amanda and Clay, she in public relations, he lecturing in English and media, her statements about hating people, booking the holiday, packing, urging Clay, Archie and Rose? Travelling, the typical family, talk, phones and screens? The holiday weekend?
7. The drive, arriving at the mansion, delight, settling in, Amanda going for the groceries, looking at Dennis and his stocking up in the later memories, the visit to Dennis, his work and repairs, defensive, with the gun, his daughter, the request for the medication, confrontations, what any father would do, his giving the pills, Clay paying the money, and the revelation of the well-stocked bunker that he had constructed?
8. The family at the beach, the happy holiday, the tanker, the panic? Archie, 16, Rose, 13, obsession with Friends and the final session?
9. During the night, the noises, GH and his daughter at the door, sense of fear, menace?
10. The audience identifying with Amanda, Clay of the family, wary of GH and Ruth, taking sides, identifying? Amanda and her harshness, suspicions, treatment, justified or not, Clay more amenable? The request for GH to stay the night, his house, the plausibility story, in New York, the music, the blackout, not climbing 14 stories, his house? And the attitudes of his daughter?
11. GH and his playing the thousand dollars in cash?
12. The interactions between the couples? Amanda and her stances, Clay more amenable, GH in his principles, Ruth and her looking down on Amanda? The information about the emergency, staying the night?
13. The next day, the deer at the back, Rose looking at the deer, more and more numbers, going out with Archie, his being stung, finding the hut, mysterious form, looking towards Rose’s room? Amanda, breakfast, everybody a coffee, something of a truce?
14. Clay, driving into town, abandoned, the Spanish-speaking woman and her frantic request, his not understanding, driving off? The drone and the dropping of the “Death to America” leaflets? His fears? Ruth, sunbathing, Archie in the pool, photographing her, later watching the photos, in bed? The flamingos in the pool?
15. GH, going to the neighbours, finding the devastation, the dead bodies, seeing the plane crash?
16. The increasing communication, understandings and misunderstandings? The brief messages about the blackout and the hacking? GH and his time with Amanda, his explanations about his connections, the apologies, playing the music, the dancing?
17. Clay, talking with Ruth, her blunt questions, sexuality, Amanda and her comments about Clay and his behaviour?
18. Archie, becoming unwell, the morning, his teeth coming out, the drive to Dennis, the confrontation, the money, the tablets, the guns?
19. Rose and her disappearance, going to the mansion, the discovery of the videos and DVDs, Friends, the final episode?
20. Amanda and Ruth, some understanding, searching for Rose?
21. Looking across at the city skyline, the explosion of the bomb? The end, leaving the world behind? And the symbolism of Rose, discovering the bunker, so well-stocked, comfortable, but sitting and watching the last episode of Friends?