Review: 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' proves the franchise is far from extinct

Universal Pictures, 2025.

A key question one must ask themselves when going into a "Jurassic Park" movie is: What do I truly expect? Expectations - and where we set them - play a major part in how we experience any film. Sometimes, aiming too high can almost guarantee disappointment. That's not to excuse a movie that sets a low bar for itself...rather an acknowledgement that much of our reaction depends on the mindset we bring to the theater.

Taking into consideration that the first "Jurassic Park" movie was a ground-breaking, earth-shattering blockbuster and a global phenomenon - and considering just how TERRIBLE many of the sequels have been - it's safe to say that "Jurassic World: Rebirth" is a bona fide success. It draws on our nostalgia without feeling manipulative. It simplifies things to the core of what made the first one a hit, without merely trying to recreate it.

You could say - in a fitting parallel to the film's plot - that this installment extracts a bit of the original's DNA, in a noble attempt to finally do something worthwhile with it.

Grade: B

None of the known characters from the franchise are present in "Jurassic World: Rebirth," with this film taking place five years after the events of 2022's dismal "Jurassic World: Dominion." Dinosaurs are just an every day part of life. We witness a large dinosaur causing a traffic jam and people react as if it was just a routine construction delay. As one person puts it, "People just don't care about dinosaurs anymore." It's as if they realize that franchise fatigue has set in, and that in 2025 - 32 years after the original movie - audiences are no longer wowed by the site of a CG dinosaur alone

There's a throwback feel to the way the first act unfolds. A wealthy corporation sends in one of their goons, Martin (Rupert Friend), to assemble a team for a deadly mission. Zora (Scarlett Johansson) is a mercenary with connections in the tropical region where they must extract the DNA of three of the world's largest dinosaurs. Most of these creatures now live near the equator on islands too dangerous to be inhabited. Zora recruits Dr. Loomis (Jonathan Bailey) a knowledgeable scientist, and her old friend, a sea captain (Mahershala Ali) to escort Martin on what essentially is an illegal expedition into uncharted Jurassic territory.

Unexpectedly, a family travelling by sea is attacked by a monstrous marine creature. The group includes Reuben (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) his young daughter (Audrina Miranda), his teenage daughter (Luna Blaise) and her deadbeat boyfriend (David Iacono). When they call for help, Zora's team reluctantly comes to their aid.

The family and the task force find themselves on a collision course with the dinosaur islands. The rest of the film delivers thrilling action sequences, one after the other, as we learn once again the hard way that humans were not meant to tamper with dinosaurs.

Scarlett Johannson is an effective action star, even if her character feels quite bland. It's the family dynamic between Reuben, his daughters and his strained relationship with his daughter's boyfriend that really works and gives us something to care about.

Knowing it's no longer enough to simply show us new dinosaurs and expect us to be awed, the film wisely focuses on intense action and suspense, all of it executed well. The climax delivers a few clever surprises and leaves the door open for endless dinosaur adventures to come.

The big philosophical question the original film - whether humans should play God - is smartly side-stepped. Dinosaurs are here now, and there's no turning back. So let's explore what that means. As humanity tends to showcase, some people will look to exploit every angle, but there's still good to be found in us too. 

No, "Jurassic World: Rebirth" is not nearly as good as the original movie. But if they're going to make dinosaur action movies, this is a good one. There are thrills, scares, a few laughs and moments that will have you jumping out of your seat.

Again, what else did you expect?

Grade: B

Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller, Science Fiction
Run Time: 2 hours 14 minutes
Rated PG-13

Starring: Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Mahershala Ali, Luna Blaise, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Audrina Miranda, David Iacono.

Directed by Gareth Edwards ("The Creator," "Rogue One: A Star Wars Story," "Godzilla (2014)").

"Jurassic World: Rebirth" is in theaters on Wednesday, July 2nd, 2025.