Jurassic World Rebirth
Jurassic Park: Rebirth
Jeff Goldblum’s iconic line from the original Jurassic Park resonates hauntingly after watching Jurassic Park: Rebirth: They were “so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn’t stop to think if they should.” Just three years after Jurassic World: Dominion, this rapid “rebirth” of the franchise feels rushed and unnecessary, especially when compared to the 14-year gap between Jurassic Park III and the Jurassic World reboot.
Rebirth rehashes familiar plots from its predecessors, blending them into a predictable narrative. In a world desensitized to dinosaurs, scientists push boundaries by creating genetically enhanced, terrifying super-dinosaurs. Scarlett Johansson stars as Zora Bennett, a skilled extraction specialist hired by the slick Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend) to collect blood from the three largest dinosaurs for a supposed cure for human heart disease. Joined by dinosaur expert Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), Zora embarks on a mission that feels all too familiar. True to franchise tradition, a stranded family—the Delgados, comprising a father, his teenage daughter, her boyfriend, and the requisite younger child—adds the predictable “children in peril” element. Set on a dinosaur-infested island, the film delivers suspenseful chases and action but leans heavily on the same formula seen in the previous six films.
The script and story lack originality, and the introduction of genetically mutated super-dinosaurs feels like an unnecessary escalation, as if the filmmakers doubted the appeal of “regular” dinosaurs. Coming so soon after Dominion’s box office success, Rebirth feels more like a cash grab than a genuine attempt to revitalize the series. Something that Johansson’s Zora character relates to in the movie. That said, the film shines in its action sequences, boasting stunning visual effects and heart-pounding suspense. Unfortunately, these strengths can’t redeem the tired narrative.
Jurassic Park: Rebirth doesn’t live up to its title. The franchise needs a bold retooling, not a genetically modified rehash. Here’s hoping the next installment takes Goldblum’s advice and pauses to consider what it *should* be.
Rating: 6/10
Lead image courtesy of Universal.
