The Jurassic Park/World series continues with Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, much like you might expect. Dinosaurs run around causing havoc and eating people. Nothing really new here except, FINALLY things go off-island.
On the island of Isla Nublar, there is a volcano that is gone active and is threatening to destroy everything there. Owen (ChrisPratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) must mount an expedition to the island to try and save all the remaining dinosaurs before that extinction level event.
So, Like i said, most of this movie is pretty much exactly what you expect. Dinosaurs run amok and people die. There are some other things you probably expect: some big financial backers want to help “save” the dinos from extinction. They have ulterior motives, you say? They use a military force to their own ends, you say? Well, duh.
Of course the ‘good guys’ are duped and they must then do whatever they can to save the beasts. Dinosaurs get loose and the amok stuff ensues.
There are also a few characters that are so stupidly written that you can’t believe anyone would still be using such thin, dopey characterizations. It’s at least as bad as when someone in a horror movie hears a noise, and they go TOWARD that noise. NO human would be that stupid.Why would you go CLOSER to the flesh-eating dinosaur? They barely qualify as cartoon characters. Ugh.
Another strike against Fallen Kingdom is that use of the always awesome Jeff Goldblum. He’s only in this film for a few minutes. Maybe it was his idea to only appear briefly?
The scenes of dinosaurs and action are there, and certainly there are some legitimate thrills. And Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard are on point, as are a couple other actors. As a matter of note, there are some serious secondary casting choices here. People like James Cromwell, Rafe Spall, Toby Jones, Geraldine Chaplin, BD Wong, and the dumbest military man ever, played by Ted Levine. I honestly can’t imagine why he would take this role. I hope he got paid handsomely.
I must say, though, Fallen Kingdom does end on a solid note: with the promise of a fresher premise in the next Jurassic World film. Hopefully it’s not too little, too late.
So, Fallen Kingdom offers some entertainment, for sure, but it’s starting to feel tired. And with some of the dumbest characters put to film, this installment isn’t as strong as the previous Jurassic World. A mere two kittenhands from me, with hope for a better offering in the next one.
Go see The Incredibles 2 instead!
~Neil T. Weakley, your average movie-goer, really luke warm on this.