Jurassic World: Rebirth Review – Dino-Sized Nostalgia and Eco-Thrills
Opinion: This is a film review evaluating Jurassic World: Rebirth on direction, performances, visual effects, score and thematic depth.
I’ll admit, when Scarlett Johansson dubbed Jurassic World: Rebirth “a love letter to Spielberg” at its London premiere, my hype sensors tingled. Universal clearly wants to tug at our nostalgia—practical animatronics, the Williams-Desplat teaming, and OG writer David Koepp on board. But does this eco-thriller truly recapture the wonder of the original, or is it just another blockbuster chasing dino-sized FOMO?
Spielbergian DNA or Nostalgia on Repeat?
With Gareth Edwards (Rogue One, Godzilla) directing, Rebirth aims to fuse the Spielbergian sense of awe with urgent environmental stakes. Five years after Dominion, dinosaurs have become paradoxical saviors—isolated in safe zones yet pivotal to humanity’s survival. It’s a bold thematic pivot: humans must protect creatures they once treated as weapons. Finally, we get ecological anxiety woven into the flesh-and-blood (and scales) spectacle.
Yet nostalgia is a double-edged sword. Practical animatronics—like the charming “Delores” puppet at the premiere—remind us why Jurassic Park felt magical. But lean too heavily on callbacks, and you risk a film that can’t stand on its own claws. Rebirth flirts with both paths: at times, breathtaking set pieces evoke the original’s terrifying beauty; at others, recycled tropes and familiar beats threaten to make it feel like Jurassic Park 1.5 rather than a true sequel.
Performance and Characters
The cast brings fresh energy. Scarlett Johansson steps into helm a conflicted scientist who wrestles with the moral fallout of dinosaur gene-splicing. Mahershala Ali lends gravitas as a conservationist torn between science and salvation. Jonathan Bailey, who recorded soundtrack themes at Abbey Road, injects genuine fanboy enthusiasm into a soldier-turned-ally—his delight at practical effects palpable.
Yet character development occasionally stalls. Johansson’s internal struggle is compelling—but the script occasionally reduces her to action-hero tropes. Ali’s backstory offers emotional heft, but side arcs featuring minor roles (a talkative park ranger, a corporate exec with shady motives) feel undercooked. When depth emerges—like a harrowing mid-film choice about dino preservation—it lands; elsewhere, exposition quickly overtakes nuance.
Visual Effects and Practical Spectacle
Edwards delivers dazzling visuals: sweeping shots of prehistoric beasts in lush, CGI-blended habitats, and pulse-pounding encounters in half-lit enclosures. But the real highlight is the blend of animatronics and digital artistry. From a feathered raptor hunting in tall grass to a hulking Ankylosaurus defending its young, the film continually reminds us that practical effects still pack an emotional punch.
Score and Sound Design
John Williams’ iconic motifs return, woven seamlessly with Alexandre Desplat’s fresh compositions. The result is a soundtrack that balances familiar crescendos of wonder with tense, brooding passages underscoring ecological peril. Sound design deserves its own shout-out—the roar of a T-Rex reverberates through your chest, and the ambient jungle hum becomes a character in its own right.
Pacing and Direction
At 2 hours and 15 minutes, Rebirth occasionally stumbles in its third act. An ambitious subplot about corporate espionage feels shoehorned in, diluting the central eco-thriller arc. However, Edwards stages several set pieces with flair—particularly a nighttime rescue in an overgrown park dome that marries suspense and spectacle. Dialogue is snappy, and action beats are well spaced, giving viewers breathing room between dinosaur chases.
Thematic Resonance
Where Rebirth succeeds is in its ecological message. By making dinosaurs both victims and potential saviors, the film taps into contemporary fears about species extinction and genetic meddling. It’s a stronger, more mature theme than “weaponize the T-Rex,” and it gives the franchise fresh thematic muscle. If only every subplot served that core idea with equal focus.
Final Verdict and Rating
Jurassic World: Rebirth stands as a commendable if imperfect revival. It delivers Spielbergian thrills, practical-effects nostalgia, and a welcome eco-thriller spine—but sometimes leans too hard on familiar beats and underdeveloped side characters. Still, when it sticks the landing, it roars back to life in a way that reminds us why we fell for dinosaurs in the first place.
- Direction: 4/5 – Visually striking set pieces, though some narrative bloat.
- Screenplay: 3/5 – Strong eco-theme but uneven character depth.
- Acting: 4/5 – Johansson and Ali bring gravitas; supporting roles less consistent.
- Visual Effects & Animatronics: 5/5 – The highlight of the film; a thrilling blend of practical and digital.
- Score & Sound: 4.5/5 – Williams and Desplat deliver a powerful, emotionally resonant score.
Overall Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Conclusion
Jurassic World: Rebirth may not fully eclipse the original, but it marks a spirited course correction for the franchise. By embracing ecological stakes, practical effects, and Spielbergian wonder, it earns more than a cursory glance at the past. If you’re craving a blockbuster that roars with purpose—rather than just nostalgia—you’ll find plenty to love here. Just don’t be surprised if some of the old ghosts (and clichés) still stalk the corners of this dino-infested park.