‘Jurassic World’ leaves a giant footprint
I’m quick to fault the attention span of this generation, but I find it really tough to swallow that in just two decades people would get tired of the fact that dinosaurs exist in the present day, much less tire of riding a baby triceratops or kayaking alongside a brontosaurus.
As much as I ridicule my children for staring endlessly at handheld electronics, the fact that anyone can text through a Mosasaurus leaping out of the water to swallow a Great White Shark on a hook is something even I cannot fathom. I can’t live in that world.
But that is the world of “Jurassic World.” And it is the one stumbling block you must muscle past to allow yourself to get swept up in all that the film has to offer. Trust me, it’s worth it.
Whatever logistical leaps you must make to relax and enjoy “Jurassic World,” get your mind limber enough and let it go, as “World” has a breezy vibe all its own. It has enough affinity for the source material and more than enough blazing-hot dino-on-dino action to make for an exhilarating ride that comes so close to the original, which was released 22 years ago.
As one of the few who actually enjoyed the lean, silly 2001 “Jurassic Park III,” I think it still concluded with a sense of little else to offer beyond the same recycled beats and rhythms of its two predecessors. But “World” feels like it’s a loving celebration of what Steven Spielberg and Michael Crichton have created and expands it to enjoyably frightening levels.
If “Jurassic Park” was the Grand Prix of dinosaur films, then “Jurassic World” is its monster truck rally cousin, complete with more monster.
Billionaire Simon Masrani (played by Irrfan Khan) has built upon the John Hammond park, and (getting past the fact that the horrid tragedy that was Jurassic Park was all but forgotten and forgiven) has decided to repackage it as “Jurassic World.” All the issues have been fixed, all the dinosaurs tamed, and everyone has a lovely time. The end? Hardly.
Even under the watchful eye of operations manager Claire (played by Bryce Dallas Howard), the boatloads of visitors soon become walking chum for all the scaly inhabitants, including their latest lab-grown creation, the Indominus Rex. Owen (played by Chris Pratt, who, between this, “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “The Lego Movie” is fast becoming the Harrison Ford of this generation) is a former military man who is now a raptor wrangler, capable of herding them by a very fragile bond of respect.
When the Indominus inevitably breaks free, Owen is joined by former soldier buddy Vic (played by Vincent D’Onofrio), who now runs a Blackwater-like private security firm that specializes in dinos. Two of the park guests are Claire’s nephews, Grey (played by Ty Simpkins) and Zach (played by Nick Robinson), sent by their parents as they complete the proceedings of a divorce they have been hiding from the kids.
Director Colin Trevorrow makes like the last two films never really took place and continues to set up another vision of the original park, as if it were able to reach even greater heights of showmanship. There’s also a surprising amount of plot involved, with suspicious motivations, romantic tensions and family bonds that are mere distractions, but do help to keep things somewhat diverting, even if most of it feels forced.
Given the fact that just a few weeks ago audiences were quick to accept a new Mad Max in a film that did not quite fit within the first three films’ narrative, with sketchy ties to the original, it seems only fair that we can allow for such stretches in authenticity to “World.” Once you set your mind into the “Sure! Why not?!” setting, it’s impossible not to get drawn into the action.
Pratt plays his lead role in straight matinee-hero mode, and Howard shoulders her part well despite being kept in heels throughout. The real draw is the CGI, which is detailed and stunning. The beasts' dexterity is pronounced, and when the eventual gate-busting assault takes place, there are countless moments of impressive destruction (and it is a solid PG-13, parents!).
"World's" DNA is firmly rooted in the original film, with countless callbacks to it as though it existed in the Wild West era, instead of the year “Saved by the Bell” was still a popular show. It’s got a number of loving winks to the first film, and it does a fine job building upon that, providing a threat for future paths sequels may take.
“Jurassic World” is by no means perfect, and the more it’s picked apart, the more holes and dents appear. But come on! I don’t recall people asking how much it would cost to build a Death Star when “Star Wars” was released, so I am willing to grant this film the same latitude of disbelief. And I’m glad that I did.
