Reviewed by Victor Rebikoff.
Director: Colin Trevorrow, Legendary Pictures, M, 124 Minutes.
The much anticipated sequel to the famous franchise made between 1993 and 2001 is an enthralling roller-coaster ride from start to finish, stimulating the senses and then appreciating the splendour of this thrilling sci-fi action adventure.
In appointing the legendary filmmaker Steven Spielberg as executive producer the creator of the first two ‘Jurassic Park’ films, Colin Trevorrow (‘Safety Not Guaranteed’) can be assured of similar success in writing and directing such a blockbuster of his own.
Following the earlier events at Jurassic Park, Jurassic World is now considered a fully-functioning dinosaur theme park on the island of Isla Nublar under the joint management of Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas-Howard – ‘Pete’s Dragon’) and billionaire investor Masrani (Irrfan Khan – ‘D-Day’).
It is to this theme park that the brothers Zach (Nick Robinson – ‘Love Simon’) and Gray (Ty Simkins – ‘Iron Man 3’) are sent to by their parents, to stay with their aunt Claire.
But they soon slip away from the watchful eye of their appointed tour guide and venture off on their own unaware that Claire’s latest attraction has broken loose from its secured habitat.
Claire’s major attraction, designed to improve the dwindling visitor numbers to the theme park, turns out to be the genetically modified Indominus Rex, a highly intelligent dinosaur with the DNA of a tyrannosaurus rex and a thundering presence.
As matters start to spiral out of control Claire approaches the charming dinosaur and raptor trainer Owen Grady (Chris Pratt – ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’) to help find her two nephews, who were touring in a motorised sphere oblivious to the looming danger.
Facing some catastrophic consequences, and in a final attempt to stop the visitors becoming part of the dinosaurs’ food chain, Owen joins forces with park employee Hoskins (Vincent D’Onofrio – ‘Rings’) to prevent a similar disaster that befell Jurassic Park.
Trevorrow’s contribution to this scintillating series provides far more excitement and suspense than the earlier films but this time is pleasurably supplemented by some stunning special effects that include an awesome clash between dinosaurs in the concluding scenes.
Apart from Pratt’s playful performance, Howard is impressive in her role, as were the dinosaurs and prehistoric raptors.
It is no surprise that ‘Jurassic World’ was a top box-office drawcard in both Australia and the US-with a sequel ‘Jurassic World-Fallen Kingdom’ released in 2018.
Jurassic World is being televised on Friday 21 May at 8.30pm on Channel 9.
Vic’s Verdict: 4 Stars
