Some movies are what they are. No matter how much you try to look for deeper meaning or themes, it is just made to entertain and sticks with the basic formula you would expect, for better or worse. Usually these movies fall into the latter category, but sometimes you can be pleasantly surprised.
Jurassic World, directed by Colin Trevorrow and starring Chris Pratt, has been a tremendous success. It’s rise to the fourth highest grossing film of ALL TIME is incredibly impressive since there was so much speculation and somewhat lukewarm reactions from fans about the whole idea of a reboot in the first place. However, a tremendous profit at the box office is only half the battle for a filmmaker. The more important thing of course, is whether or not the film is good overall, and rest assured, Jurassic World is.
Taking place years after the original series, Jurassic World centers around Bryce Dallas Howard’s “Claire Dearing,” Jurassic Park’s operating manager. Not only is the park about to showcase its new attraction, the Indominus Rex, but Claire is also dealing with watching her two nephews who have come to visit. Meanwhile Hollywood’s new leading man Chris Pratt plays “Owen Grady,” a worker at the park who trains raptors, which may be the most awesome sounding job of all time. Predictably, showing off the new dinosaur doesn’t go well as it breaks loose and wrecks havoc on the people and the park.
There’s only so much you can say about the movie. The plot is pretty predictable and the characters are mostly one-dimensional, as Howard’s character is dangerously close to being nothing more than a sexist caricature of a woman in a movie and Pratt’s role basically comes down to looking good, scowling at something bigger than him and running away from the aforementioned big thing. So why waste your time on this movie? Because it’s FUN. Dinosaurs! Chris Pratt! More dinosaurs!
In all seriousness, while it lacks any depth, Jurassic World absolutely delivers on its promise of a hugely entertaining summer blockbuster that you can sit back, turn off your brain and enjoy. It won’t change how you watch movies or even stick with you very long when it’s over, but it isn’t a bad way to spend an afternoon.
Overall: 6/10
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