Movie Review - Jurassic World (2015)

The moment when a Brachiosaurus was first shown in Jurassic Park was a movie magic moment. It was definitely a breakthrough in CGI visual effects. Yes before that there was Terminator 2, and even way before that is Star Wars. But in Jurassic Park, it's the magic of bringing back the extinct animals that exist in REAL world that really makes it believable and magical. I can't imagine cyborgs or ewoks roaming the earth, but with dinosaurs you can imagine that.

Ah, all the nostalgia by just looking at this gate. (c) SlashFilms

Fast forward 22 years later after 2 substandard sequels, they finally bring back another sequel to the Jurassic series. Jurassic World is set in Isla Nublar where there is a theme park for viewing and experiencing with dinosaurs. The story starts with the adventure of 2 brothers, Gray and Zach who are on a vacation to the theme park who were coincidentally managed by their aunt, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard).

Notice that Steven Spielberg's creation (dinosaur) is eating another of his creation (jaws). (c) SlashFilms

So basically the starting of the movie shows the grandiosity of the theme parks, showing most of the dinosaurs that were at the park. The most impressive one is probably the Mosasaurus, an underwater dinosaur. All were in display except one species called Indominus Rex, which was genetically engineered to be bigger and badder than the so-called king of all dinosaurs, T-Rex. We saw how Claire does her management routine at the park, and also we saw the billionaire CEO, Masrani showing some concerns over the enclosure that hosts the lone Indominus Rex.

You know you're in trouble when you are inside a sphere of glass, no matter how strong the glass is. (c) SlashFilms.

In comes Owen, acted by the man-of-the-moment in Hollywood, the lovable hunk Chris Pratt. In the introduction of the character, we got to see Owen doing his trademark 'dinosaur whisperer' thing on a few velociraptors, albeit from an elevated platform. Without spoiling anything, after that scene, there's a tense moment that happens that sets the tone for the whole movie. Basically you can expect a lot of tense, heart-stopping moments and I was actually concerned for the children that were watching in the cinema that time. Anyway if you're an action junkie, you won't regret it. It's an action-packed movie all way through.

Don't run away, I'm feeling alone in the cage and I just want a hug. (c) SlashFilms

Eventually, we have Owen and Claire teaming up and good gosh they really have a very good chemistry in my opinion. Owen is really a cool guy who cares about his velociraptors, and Claire surprisingly didn't really scream a lot in the movie. Boths have memorable scenes on their own. Owen is shown riding a motorbike along with running velociraptors (it's shown in trailers, so not a spoiler). I mean how cool is that, even though it's a bit illogical on why the velociraptors didn't bite him. As for Claire, well when we were introduced to her, she seems like a busy, serious manager but slowly throughout the movie, she make a progress and becoming more, should I say, badass.

Chris Pratt is so cool that even velociprators don't bother to eat him. (c) SlashFilms

Gray and Zach also have substantial screen time, as you know, kids had to have some mischievous moments. The part when they were in a gyroscope and going off the beaten part, and Indominus Rex is roaming around, it was also really really tense. I can say it's a homage to one of the scenes in the original Jurassic Park. Oh and Jimmy Fallon also appears somewhere during that scene also. Next we have Vivian and Lowery who's mostly confined inside the control center, although they get to have the funniest scene in the movie. Masrani and Dr Wu mostly talking about business and lab stuffs (Dr Wu is the only returning cast from Jurassic Park). And what a movie without a human villain, Hoskins from InGen. Hoskins was not really a strong character in my opinion, as you know the badass villain in this movie is the Indominus Rex.

Stay away from her, you b*tch! (Aliens reference) (c) SlashFilms

So what do I think about the movie? Well as someone who never watch the previous 3 Jurassic movies in cinema before, I really have an adrenaline rush watching Jurassic World in the cinema, I mean seeing dinosaurs on big screen is really an experience. I really like the chemistry between Owen and Claire, and also there's a few homages to the Jurassic Park. What I don't really like are the sometimes illogical moments in the movie (like I mentioned Owen riding besides velociraptors). All in all, I really like this this movie. It brings out the childhood in me, it really tested the heart with all that gripping moments and I can't wait already for a sequel, if any.

Rating: 9/10
Director: Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed)