About the film (courtesy of Universal Pictures):
Experience the epic conclusion to the Jurassic era as two generations unite for the first time. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are joined by Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum and Sam Neill in a bold, timely and breathtaking new adventure that spans the globe. From Colin Trevorrow, Dominion takes place four years after Isla Nublar has been destroyed. Dinosaurs now live-and hunt-alongside humans all over the world. This fragile balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human beings are to remain he apex predators on a planet they now share with history’s most fearsome creatures.
Frankly speaking, Jurassic World: Dominion would have probably received a bit more praise from me had it been released a few weeks earlier. Memories are still too fresh in my mind of how a franchise-defining sequel should be. While there are without a doubt, a few nostalgic scenes that whisked you back to earlier films, the overall feel is often as flat as many believed the Earth once was.
Jurassic Park alum Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) revives his patented snarky quips during the majority of his scenes which brings a high level of entertainment. Not too far behind is Owen Grady (Chris Pratt), who has handled the bulk of the Jurassic World lighter moments. Jurassic World: Dominion allows this pair to share the fun under the same spotlight.
Director Colin Trevorrow has many tools at his disposal to make for a fun reunion mashup but fails to maximize. One would assume with all of the legacy characters involved that you’d have one scene after another that would audiences oohing, ahhing and/or laughing. This is simply not the case. Starting with the dinosaurs who, rightfully so, SHOULD be the centerpiece to this epic conclusion. Let’s just say that these prehistoric beasts don’t measure up in stature or fright-factor compared to previous entries. And yes, we’re introduced to yet another apex predator, but there just isn’t enough build up or interest, for that matter, to make audiences really care.
As eluded to earlier, it’s nice to see characters from the full franchise interacting as things come together. DeWanda Wise is one of the very few fresh faces to the franchise that is allowed to make a nice impact. Pretty much the rest of the cast of Jurassic World: Dominion are those that need no introduction.
There’s tons of CGI effects to try to keep you distracted from the less than gripping plotline. And things just drag on for far too long. If you’ve ever been line for a popular attraction at say, Universal Studios, with one of those slow moving long lines on a hot summer day. And you finally approach the structure and think you’re about to get on the ride…then you realize that there’s ANOTHER maze of lines inside the building. Well, that’s kind of how the back half of Jurassic World: Dominion feels. The end just never comes.
Who would have figured that one of Ian Malcom’s famous quotes, “‘Ooh, Ah.’ That’s how it always starts. But then later, there’s running and screaming.” would be considered introspective as to the trajectory of these films? Jurassic World: Dominion is a big-budget summer popcorn flick that should provide its share of entertaining moments for a decent portion of the film, but after a total of six films, I’m comfortably ready to declare this franchise extinct. You can catch this one only in theaters starting today.
