Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom
/"Do these animals deserve the same protection given to other species? Or should they just be left to die?"
Filmology Rating: 1.5 out of 4
The park finally opened in 2015 with Jurassic World, which went on to be one of the biggest blockbusters to ever grace the silver screen, which was one of the greatest feelings for us 90s children. While I didn’t fall into the nostalgia trap like most of the world did, I was still curious to see what would happen after the terror was released at the park.
Three years after the nightmares were released at Jurassic World, the dinosaurs remaining on the island are being threatened by an active volcano. The question that the world is wondering: should nature be allowed to take its course and kill off the once extinct creatures or should they be saved so generations can enjoy the astonishing creatures?
Walking into Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom I kept telling myself that the film would be something fresh and new since we were adding a new director, A.J. Bayona, to the franchise. Bayona has a strong visual sense that he brought to films like The Impossible and A Monster Calls which lead me to believe that no matter how ludicrous the story, it would still have a strong visual flair. While the story is indeed ludicrous, the film also lacks a visual punch to it that would make the film appealing. The most frustrating aspect about this film, is that it does have moments of visual style; but if you have seen the trailer for the film then you have seen all of the visual flair that the film has. The film only has about three minutes that make it feel like it’s worth watching on the big screen from a visual conception level, which was disappointing to say the least. Three minutes from a hundred twenty minute film is not only shameful, but you simply question the pure existence of the film.
It would seem that screenwriters Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow are one trick ponies, who got incredibly lucky with the previous film in the series. While I had some problems with Jurassic World I still found myself enjoying the social story of how we always want the biggest and best thing, but sometimes that might be our undoing especially when corporate greed gets involved. And yet again we get that same story with Fallen Kingdom, it essentially has the same plot points that the previous film had but it just changes location. Where this film ended was the most interesting element and where I had hoped the film would start but instead I have been treated to four hours, combining the running time of Fallen Kingdom and Jurassic World, of completely meandering and genetic monstrosities that I felt assaulted for wasting my time. Don’t let your childhood nostalgia for dinosaurs and the phenomenal Steven Spielberg fool you into thinking anything in Fallen Kingdom is entertaining or fun; you are simply thinking of better films.
I cannot recall a time where I have seen Chris Pratt looking so disinterested and giving some of the worst line readings in a film. I have seen college theatrical students give better performances than the one that Pratt delivers in Fallen Kingdom. While the character he plays has a sense of annoyance with the issues that are developing with the plot, this is Chris Pratt who is supposed to be the most charming and likeable of all the Hollywood Chrises. As for Bryce Dallas Howard, she is even worse than Pratt in the film. The bar scene near the opening of the film was cringe worthy because the two actors clearly have no chemistry with one another, so it would seem like they are both acting against a blank wall. The actual direction that they take Howard’s character in is also mind numbingly idiotic, she feels like a completely different character in this film verus the last time that we saw her. If she had any inkling that she wanted to go into animal protection in the last film it must have been the most subtle piece of storytelling because it never hit me. The film supposedly features supporting characters but I cannot honestly remember the character names without looking them up on IMDB, but I can tell you that they are pointless characters, who should’ve been eliminated from the film or actually been given something to do. The side characters in the film are as pointless as having crosswalks underwater, which is to say that they actually don’t effect the story in any manner.
I have no issue with a Jurassic Park film being different and trying to explore the science in different ways, after all another killer theme park would simply be a bore to the audience, but when it hits all the same beats that previous films in the series hit it becomes problematic. We have yet another science company that starts with having the best of intentions but not too surprisingly they are secretly the greedy company who will do anything to make a quick and easy buck. We have a genetically created monstrosity that cannot be controlled or contained like its creators once thought; and we have long extinct creatures roaming the lands of suburbia at the end of the film changing the carefully balanced ways of life. While it might sound like I’m spoiling aspects of Fallen Kingdom, I promise that having a simpletons knowledge of movies will cause you to know every beat of the film before it happens. To put it simply, just because you have dinosaurs doesn’t necessarily make your film appealing anymore. We live in a movie age where we have seen it all, and if the story isn’t new, engaging, or at least fun then you have failed the audience who has turned up in droves to see your tentpole film.
It’s honestly one of the most heartbreaking things; to see a franchise that you at one time loved, being treated like it’s completely worthless. While I obviously would like to say that Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom deserved better, at this point I think it would simply be better to say that I wish Spielberg and company stopped making dinosaur escapades after Jurassic Park. Seriously if you have any remaining admiration for that original film I recommend staying far away from Fallen Kingdom because it will beat you until you’re a nostalgic puddle that has been trampled by every dinosaur from the Jurassic period. The Jurassic Park series was on the brink of extinction before, but now it should just be left to die.
Rating: Let It Burn
-Jonny G