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The glaring narrative loophole for all the “Jurassic Park”, now “Jurassic World” movies is singular. What would possess anyone to think: “Hey, let’s use prehistoric DNA to clone the unstoppable killing machine!” When is that ever a good idea? Well, never.
Director J. A. Bayona’s sequel “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” inherits its own faulty DNA in the perpetuating premise. Yet, J. A. along with Writers Derek Connolly and Colin Trevorrow manage to navigate the repetitive narrative sideways.
We actually cheer for the vicious dinosaurs against mankind. Mostly, because mankind occurs as stupid. Human creators played God, and were arrogant enough to think that they could control the Raptors and other creatures. Perhaps, messing with evolution. Creating a brave new order? No.
“Fallen Kingdom” opens with the familiar face from “Jurassic Park”. Now elder scientist Ian Malcolm, surprisingly humbled Jeff Goldblum, testifies before the Congressional Committee. The cataclysmic volcanic eruptions on Isla Nublar threaten the second extinction of DNA cloned dinosaurs on the Island. Ian advises Congress to let the creatures all die in the volcanic aftermath. He says that this may be Nature’s way of “self-correction”.
Of course idiocy prevails: Congress orders the military rescue of at least 11 species of dinosaurs for the sake of having a movie to make. The Government enlists passionate idealist Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire, now dinosaur preservation activist, as part of the operations extraction team. Claire seeks out her estranged ex-lover Owen, whimsically aloof Chris Pratt, to join their mission. Owen has a unique affinity for Raptor named “Blue”. He’s like the “dinosaur whisperer”. Predictably, reluctant Owen joins Claire for the helicopter ride to Isla Nublar.
“Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is nonstop action eye-candy that overwhelms any semblance of character development. The fierce Raptors and T-Rexs are visual effects marvels. Chris is charmingly game as Owen, and delivers martial arts skills along with flip one-liners. Bryce is intense, yet light-hearted resilience as purposeful Claire.
I loved Director Bayona’s “A Monster Calls”, which is the greater movie. “Fallen Kingdom” benefits from his amazing visual style. In “A Monster Calls” Bayona’s authentic gift is his endearing connection of childhood. I believe that gift resuscitates “Fallen Kingdom” in the story of young Maisie.
Resisting the overplayed child in peril scenario, Isabella’s Maisie sees both the wonder and terror of “The Fallen Kingdom”. There’s a very touching scene midway through as frightened Maisie hugs Owen. He holds her close. He promises that everything will be all right.
Maisie holds hope for the brighter day to come. Hope that the evil that men do shall come to its end. That glimmer of childhood idealism revives “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” above the state of the art action movie fare. We see the hope through the eyes of the child.
Originally published on IMDB