By Christopher K House
Jurassic World is the eagerly anticipated next installment to the "Jurassic Park" franchise which started in 1993. Isla Nublar is now a fully functional park, just as John Hammond envisioned, with no expense spared. The beginning of the film echoes the original with two young children, Gray (Ty Simpkins) and Zach (Nick Robinson) preparing for a trip to the park and, to visit their aunt, park director Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard). We are introduced to Owen (Chris Pratt) one of the animal handlers who has a connection to a pack of Raptors. Training them but, not quite to the point of being tame. The film starts out with spectacular vision as we see the various dinosaurs with stunning CGI. Some purists will dismiss the CGI but, I assure you it is VERY well implemented here. The park is facing financial difficulty and, needs a new attraction. Dr. Henry Wu (B.D. Wong) from the original Jurassic Park is in charge of the research department who has developed a hybrid dinosaur in hopes to rejuvenate attendance.
The hybrid dinosaur of course, merits unexpected results. Vincent D'Onifrio is Hoskins, one of INGEN's military minds who wants to use the predatory dinosaurs in place of soldiers on the field of war. When the hybrid breaks free of her pen (honestly, we expected that right?) utter chaos ensues in the park. The children, like the original film are lost and, it is up to Owen and Claire to find them. That was my one problem with the plot, it was too similar to the original. The children were very much clones of Tim and Lex from the original film. Owen was almost a clone of Sam Neil's Dr. Grant. The character originality was slim. Even the park's new owner Simon Masrani (Irffan Kahn) reminds us of the late John Hammond.
The film almost feels like a Spielberg tome, with the action and suspense ripped straight from Spielberg's portfolio. The music by Michael Giacchino is a fine replacement for the legendary John Williams, who is busy with another huge film (Star Wars Episode VII). I did not see the film it it's 3D version but, it is supposed to be very well implemented. Alas, I can not comment on that.
Some would argue the trailers gave much of the film away, fret not. This is not the case by a long shot. There are plenty of twists and surprises in the film the trailers don't even hint at. Especially the "hero" at the end of the film. Director Colin Trevorrow' s first big budget film is a rip roaring crowd pleaser that is sure to have you on your feet. If you are unsure about this film, don't be. This is a pure summer popcorn movie that is fun from start to end.
Rating A-
Jurassic World is the eagerly anticipated next installment to the "Jurassic Park" franchise which started in 1993. Isla Nublar is now a fully functional park, just as John Hammond envisioned, with no expense spared. The beginning of the film echoes the original with two young children, Gray (Ty Simpkins) and Zach (Nick Robinson) preparing for a trip to the park and, to visit their aunt, park director Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard). We are introduced to Owen (Chris Pratt) one of the animal handlers who has a connection to a pack of Raptors. Training them but, not quite to the point of being tame. The film starts out with spectacular vision as we see the various dinosaurs with stunning CGI. Some purists will dismiss the CGI but, I assure you it is VERY well implemented here. The park is facing financial difficulty and, needs a new attraction. Dr. Henry Wu (B.D. Wong) from the original Jurassic Park is in charge of the research department who has developed a hybrid dinosaur in hopes to rejuvenate attendance.
The hybrid dinosaur of course, merits unexpected results. Vincent D'Onifrio is Hoskins, one of INGEN's military minds who wants to use the predatory dinosaurs in place of soldiers on the field of war. When the hybrid breaks free of her pen (honestly, we expected that right?) utter chaos ensues in the park. The children, like the original film are lost and, it is up to Owen and Claire to find them. That was my one problem with the plot, it was too similar to the original. The children were very much clones of Tim and Lex from the original film. Owen was almost a clone of Sam Neil's Dr. Grant. The character originality was slim. Even the park's new owner Simon Masrani (Irffan Kahn) reminds us of the late John Hammond.
The film almost feels like a Spielberg tome, with the action and suspense ripped straight from Spielberg's portfolio. The music by Michael Giacchino is a fine replacement for the legendary John Williams, who is busy with another huge film (Star Wars Episode VII). I did not see the film it it's 3D version but, it is supposed to be very well implemented. Alas, I can not comment on that.
Some would argue the trailers gave much of the film away, fret not. This is not the case by a long shot. There are plenty of twists and surprises in the film the trailers don't even hint at. Especially the "hero" at the end of the film. Director Colin Trevorrow' s first big budget film is a rip roaring crowd pleaser that is sure to have you on your feet. If you are unsure about this film, don't be. This is a pure summer popcorn movie that is fun from start to end.
Rating A-
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