DIRECTOR: Colin Trevorrow
PRODUCERS: Frank Marshall & Patrick Crowley
WRITERS: Colin Trevorrow & Derek Connolly & Emily Carmichael
PERFORMERS: Mamoudou Athie Scott Haze Bryce Dallas Howard Dichen Lachman
Daniella Pineda Chris Pratt Isabella Sermon Justice Smith Campbell Scott Omar Sy
DeWanda Wise with Sam Neill Laura Dern Jeff Goldblum and B.D. Wong
"Welcome... to Jurassic World" ... Those were the last words we heard from Jeff Goldblum's Ian Malcolm in the last entry of the dinosaur franchise four years ago. Here, it all comes to a head, as in, final curtain call. Because of COVID, it took a long time before this film would see the theatrical release the studio was hoping for. Now it's here, just like the conclusion of this epic series. But is it really the epic conclusion we were promised, or is it just another entry? That's a question one is left asking when all is said and done with this show.
Having regained its touch in 2015 with "Jurassic World", the storyline comes to an end in this latest extravaganza. Unlike the last few entries, this one takes on a different approach: they combine the worlds of the older veterans from the first film and the ones we've seen in the last two. Now the first film was a masterpiece and truly ahead of its time. A real favorite and upstanding classic to this day. The one thing that stood out to me was the return of the original trio form the legendary first film. Seeing them united brought back memories on a nostalgic level. Laura Dern's character I thought had the most evolution, she's savvy and more productive this time around and does not give an inch to anyone or any dinosaur for that matter. Neill and Goldblum were great as always, but where were the kids from the first film? They too were a huge part of what made the first film work and that would have been a real treat to see. Nonetheless, when both parties (past and present) link up for the finale, all bets are off.
Unlike the last two however, this one didn't quite feel like a 'Jurassic Park/World' film because there's no island this time, just the mainland and humans using the power that brought the creatures back for selfish reasons and them co-existing with the human world. Once a certain character is taken, it shifts into this 'Mission: Impossible' like premise with a touch of the 'Jason Bourne' films and the only island were on is the different exotic locations this one takes you to. The return of the character Lewis Dodgson was something unexpected because he was a part of the Michael Crichton books. Here it would seem he's getting his screen time and character presence he should have gotten years ago... especially after the first adventure. As far as development goes, the newbies haven't changed except for their present settings, and the only ones who have changed were the originals. They're on a mission, they've adapted to present times and yet there's still that spark of chemistry you feel when you see them together.
This was more of an actioner and less than a real 'Jurassic' film, not because it wasn't on an island but on human land, but because it went into a direction never expected. The film's director Colin Trevorrow did a good job revamping this series with ' Jurassic World', but somehow here something is missing, and one would think... 'Hmmm, where is this going now? Since when did this thing become James Bond or whatever?' I understand that Spielberg always wanted the dinos on the mainland, but I think a different direction to this approach could have been taken. Despite it's flaws, Jurassic World: Dominion is a rare treat and worth seeing on the big screen. You'll cheer, You'll jump, You'll scream, heck even be on the edge of your seat at times. And the ending? That's for you to decide when you see it for yourself. Is this the end of it or is there more coming? Like Malcolm said... 'Life will find a way'. Recommended if you want to see how it ends, just be warned it may be less than what you anticipate.
MY RATING: 3 1/2 out of 5
In Loving Memory of