Jurassic World: Rebirth is here to bring forth new vision to the Jurassic franchise. The film is directed by Gareth Edwards who is no stranger to colossal creature films. We also have Scarlett Johannson and Mahershala Ali alongside Jonathan Bailey front and center. In the film, we see a quick shift from the previous action adventure to a bit more horror. It’s something that was always present in the series but here its more front and center. This is what really will make Rebirth stand apart from its predecessors.

I found myself really loving the action sequences in this film. It was very thrilling to see a lot more of the action taking place in the water. I’d always felt that the water-based dinosaurs always got sort of sidetracked throughout. It was refreshing to see them here front and center at the beginning of the film. All of this to say that Rebirth really shines when its showcasing these daring and thrilling action sequences. If you were looking for that summer blockbuster that will leave you with that same adrenaline kick from the other Jurassic films, then Rebirth continues that. However, if you were expecting the humanity from the first film then you might be a bit confused here. There’s a ton of characters to meet in this new film and it can feel like its stretching itself thin in that regard.

The addition of Johannson and Ali as mercenaries was great, especially seeing them dealing with their own dark past. Bailey is also a character that I found myself curious about and ultimately the film didn’t give me much. However, I feel a lot of what was interesting about these characters was pushed to the side too much. This is where I start losing the film as I feel it wanted to do more with spectacle than depth. We are all here for the dinosaurs of course and there’s plenty of that from various creatures. I do feel we lose a lot of thrill if there isn’t an emotional depth to the characters we have on the screen. The addition of so many characters makes everything feel flat and just like we’re going through the motions only. There’s a lot of back and forth between the groups presented in this film. The mercenaries and family don’t have enough substance to really start to care throughout. So, it feels more like part of the attraction ride as you watch things unfold.

The set pieces that Edwards presents are grand in scale and the cinematography is beautiful. I found myself in awe that decades into the franchise I could still feel a sense of awe from these dinos being showcased. It’s always wonderful when a film that is part of a legacy franchise still has the juice to deliver that nostalgic feeling with a sense of wonder. This is where Rebirth really reels me back me in as they approach it with the same magic as Jurassic Park. I only wish that magic rang through the rest of the film in particular with the human characters.

Jurassic World: Rebirth introduces some interesting fresh topics throughout its roughly two hours run time but quickly retreats on them. The film really is strong when it begins and during its final act. Everything else feels like we’ve already been here before and that intrigue quickly dissipates. It’s not on the actors as I think they all play their part right but when the part is so cardboard there’s just so much you can do. I will however say that a new character introduced here Dolores has to be one of the best parts of the film; Dolores is innocent!

Overall, I do think Rebirth is a step in the right direction for the franchise. It does seem like there’s still some interesting ideas to explore and a vision to go forth with. I’ll be here to see where they decide to continue on with the IP in the upcoming years. Jurassic is clearly a franchise that just can’t go extinct. If you’re looking for that summer blockbuster that will deliver a punch, then this is it. Jurassic World: Rebirth plays it safe for the most part with its story and characters. It however does go crazy when it comes to the action and trying to introduce new exciting points. Definitely check this out on the biggest and loudest screen you can find.