“Bringing Rexy Back”
By Chris Olson
****
Untouchable films are hard to find. It seems any film is fair game for a reboot or delayed sequel these days. Just by looking at a list of the recent glut of disappointing films that have bludgeoned film goers with their can-do attitude towards “reinventing” a beloved classic is enough to trigger projectile vomit. When it was announced that Jurassic Park (1993) would be the next victim of this unwanted trend, the internet became awash with denouncement and memes - arguably the most ineffective brand of protest.
That being said, there was definitely a small contingent of hopefuls that wished to be transported back onto the island where it all began, with that iconic score from John Williams blaring in the background. And, thankfully, the hopefuls can start rubbing their smug memes in everyone’s faces, as Jurassic World is bringing Rexy back…
Set 20 years after the first story, so pretty much in real time, Jurassic World sees a resplendent park open for business, where tourism has not only thrived, but threatens the park with extinction - IRONY. Without bigger and more badass attractions, the owners fear that ticket sales will drop off (this plays like a anathema for cinema itself), and it seems their latest creation could be the answer to their prayers - or, you guessed it, the start of some big trouble in little Isla Nublar. Having spliced the genes of a T-Rex and some unknown creature, the Jurassic World owners have created a formidable beast, grown in isolation, that seems smarter than the average bear. Or indeed average human, as it is not long before this monster escapes from its holding pen and wreaks havoc on the island’s population - both human and dinosaur alike.
Beautifully balanced and full of spectacular action, this is an absolute return to form for the Jurassic franchise. It contains all of the original’s heart, flair and style, without the ludicrousness of the sequels, whilst bringing something new to the table. The film raises virile themes about our insatiable lust for entertainment, no matter the cost, something which has only deepened since the original two decades ago. Now, with youngsters glued to mobile phones and dependent on technology for immersion, it’s rare that a glorified petting zoo would distract them, even momentarily. However, once the island becomes a literal killing field, with dino carcasses littering the horizon and terrifying pterodactyls patrolling the air, humans find themselves once again pushed down a few notches on the food chain.
One man, Owen (Chris Pratt), an ex-Navy type now working as a sort of Dinosaur Whisperer, may be the only man up to saving the island from implosion. He takes to a variety of travel methods (motorbike, quad bike, even running) in order to help uptight park coordinator Clair (Bryce Dallas Howard) save her two nephews who have got lost in the fray.
There is a solid confidence to Jurassic World that keeps it out of the “worst sequels” buzzfeed lists, which it manages by carrying on the strengths of its predecessors. Rather than stubbornly trying to re-imagine Jurassic Park, like a lot of films we could mention, the film follows the rather large dinosaur footprints laid out for it, without veering too far off course. The film is built on these big action sequences, terrifying scrapes, and the magnificence of these creatures who still hold a primeval interest for all of us. This, coupled with the lush score and kept-in-check comedy makes for an incredibly intelligent movie.
Given the smorgasbord of smash hits on its way to UK cinemas (AntMan, Terminator: Genysis, Fantastic 4 etc), Jurassic World was always going to have to blow us out of the water - perhaps by using the massive dino-fish in the trailer, but few could have predicted the deep-felt reverberations of its mighty stamp on 2015. This is the film to beat so far, the one that could see Marvel in a mini ice age of its own…
