The Epic Juggernaut returns but without some of the magic

Rating: 7/10 (7 July 2015)

2015 is actually a HUGE year for movies. Some of my most anticipated films are hitting theatres or have already hit and this was one of them. Jurassic Park was one of the films that gave me my adoration for movies. It took a casual fun thing and turned it into an obsession for me. The dark theatre, the stunning special effects, that amazing body-tingling score, and the terror of being trapped in a park with dinosaurs. Jurassic Park is easily one of the ten best films ever made in my books. The two sequels were also decent (I don't care what anyone says)...I actually think Jurassic World is lowest in the series. That's not to say it isn't entertaining and I was thrilled to experience the world again. The biggest problem is that Jurassic World is a sequel that presents itself like a remake. Many of the scenes feel carbon-copied from the original (which would be okay if this were a remake.) It doesn't have nearly the intensity or thrill that the original had and it isn't even as dark as the original was. It just feels like it is lacking some of the magic from the original and like rather than setting itself apart, it is simply building and borrowing from the original. I also think the film lacked greatly by having none of the original cast return. I felt like I was aching to see Dr. Sadler, Malcolm, Lexi, Tim...anyone from the original.
Despite that, the new young cast was very good. Ty Simpkins and Nick Robinson were both quite good in the role of brothers brought to the island to spend time with their Aunt. Neither one of them had the sheer terror and naivety that the original kids had but they definitely hold their own in the film. The adult cast was really lacking in my books. I'm not sure I fully understand the sudden instead stardom of Chris Pratt. He is decent and I like him but I don't think he has the chemistry of big stars of movies past. He is good in this but is he the ultimate hero? Do we care about him that way we did about Dr. Grant in the original? Is he almost too invulnerable? There was just something not quite right about him. Still everyone loves the guy and he is Hollywood gold right now. I've always been very ho-hum about Bryce Dallas Howard since The Village. I feel like she overacts and really tries too hard. This sort of role demonstrates that very well. She is aggressive and unlikable and the romance between her and Pratt is literally forced down our throats. She is not right for the film and she sort of drags it down significantly. Vincent D'Onofrio is perfect as the villain of sorts. D'Onofrio has that character actor quality that really makes him great. Irrfan Khan was also fantastic in a horribly small role that should have been far more significant. Jake Johnson also plays a great role that is too small and BD Wong returns as the only returning cast member in a character that is completely changed from the original bit part he had in the first film.
Now I know this film is shaping up to be one of the biggest of all time so who am I to say anything bad about it. But how on earth do you hand one of the biggest franchises of all time into the hands of a completely inexperienced director? Colin Treverrow is a viral success that somehow gets this put on his plate. Now his flagship film was one of my favourite of 2012 (Safety Not Guaranteed) but this is a different ball of wax entirely. The film lacks that must-have epic Jurassic Park feel and some of that has to be because of his inexperience. That body-shivering score I mentioned is hardly used which also hurts the experience. Maybe Jurassic World isn't for me or for my generation that grew up with the original but rather a new generation and maybe they (obviously) love it. I'm glad I got to revisit the franchise and I will be back for more but lovers of the original will certainly find plenty to be disappointed with. The return of the original T-Rex was easily the best part of the film and the special effects were handled very well and its a fun time at the movies so I will give it points for that. 7.5/10