Jurassic World: Rebirth's First Trailer: A Prehistoric Step Back?
The first trailer for Jurassic World: Rebirth, the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park franchise, has arrived. This new chapter, directed by Gareth Edwards and featuring a fresh cast including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali (along with the return of original screenwriter David Koepp), marks a supposed "new era" following the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard trilogy. However, the trailer hints at a potential creative misstep.
A Return to Familiar Territory?
While the Jurassic World trilogy received mixed reviews, the franchise remains a box office powerhouse. The enduring appeal of dinosaurs ensured further installments, leading to this new film. Director Gareth Edwards, known for his work on Godzilla and Rogue One, brings his expertise in large-scale VFX to the project. The trailer showcases impressive dinosaur visuals, a stark contrast to some recent visually underwhelming blockbusters. Edwards's efficiency, completing production within a short timeframe (hired February 2024, production by June), is noteworthy. However, the trailer's focus on dinosaur action overshadows the new characters, leaving their appeal uncertain. The absence of a compelling narrative beyond the dinosaur spectacle is concerning, especially given the forgotten plot points of previous films (anyone remember the locusts from Dominion? ).
Despite cautious optimism, the trailer's biggest drawback is its apparent abandonment of the "world of dinosaurs" concept introduced in Fallen Kingdom and hinted at in Dominion.
AnswerSee ResultsAnother Island?The film's setting—a previously unknown island described as the original Jurassic Park research facility—feels like a regression. This contradicts established canon and ignores the global dinosaur presence established in the previous trilogy. The official synopsis explains the dinosaurs' confinement to isolated equatorial environments, but this feels like an unnecessary retcon. Why establish a "Jurassic World" only to abandon it? This creative choice undermines the relaunch with new characters, clinging to the franchise's familiar formula.
The inconsistency with Dominion is glaring. Dominion's depiction of dinosaurs thriving in diverse environments, including urban settings, clashes with Rebirth's premise. The Malta chase sequence in Dominion, a highlight of the film, showcased dinosaurs in a city environment, directly contradicting the new film’s explanation.
The Jurassic franchise's consistent success shouldn't preclude taking risks. Exploring new settings and storylines could unlock untapped potential. While Rebirth might have surprises beyond the trailer, the reliance on the familiar island setting is disappointing. The rumored original title, Jurassic City, suggests a potential setting not revealed in the trailer. Regardless, the franchise needs to move beyond the tired tropical island trope. While not necessarily requiring a Planet of the Apes-style approach, a middle ground allowing for diverse dinosaur environments is crucial. Only time will tell if Jurassic World: Rebirth breaks the mold, but the hope is for innovation, not mere repetition.
Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills
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