Jurassic World: Dominion – It’s a Roaring Good Time, or is it a Botched Legacy?
The 2022 film Jurassic World: Dominion was the last in the Jurassic World trilogy and reunited with the original cast of Jurassic Park. This movie has several elements; it is like a mixed bag, stuffed with nostalgia, franchise extension and something that matters today.
A Planet Transformed by Dinosaurs
After four years since Isla Nublar was destroyed, dinosaurs now exist in the world over creating both ecological and moral dilemmas. Although this looks promising, we don’t spend much time on societal consequences of this idea neither do we expand more on it. Instead, our focus remains on Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) as well as Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) raising up Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon), which is genetically engineered human clone. One day they just find themselves embroiled in a conspiracy involving locus and of course dinosaurs.
Old Heroes Return
This movie holds its heart in Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum returning to their roles as Dr Alan Grant, Dr Ellie Sattler and Dr Ian Malcolm respectively. Seeing these iconic characters again after so many years gives undeniable excitement and actors provide some amount of déjà vu. However, sometimes their incorporation feels manipulated. Most often does Grant serve as an exposition tool while Sattler plays similar role but only to lesser extent whereas Malcolm’s humor changes from witty into painful puns.
Familiar Rhythms with New Faces
Newcomers DeWanda Wise and Mamoudou Athie are Kayla Watts – a pilot with an unknown past – and Ramsay Cole – a torn geneticist who add charisma to their roles respectively. As for these characters here there is still room for growth of the franchise in this context even though they remain underdeveloped up till now. In a nutshell, this plot is the same old mix of corporate greed, dino chases and narrow escapes. It may be anticipated but it certainly delivers on the promise of thrills in a summer blockbuster.
Diverse yet Inconsistent Action
The scenes with dinosaurs are indeed magnificent. Going from an excruciating pursuit by a pack of velociraptors through the Italian Dolomites to a breathtaking encounter with a towering Giganotosaurus reveals how CGI and creature designs have advanced over the years. Nevertheless, some instances appear like repetitions of past chapter in this series that fail to evoke the same sense of awe as Spielberg’s Jurassic Park did.
Missed Opportunities for Depth
The biggest opportunity lost by Dominion is its exploration at theme level. The movie deals with genetic manipulations morality and consequences which happen when humans play God. However, these ideas get overshadowed by relentless action and paper-thin characters. The subplot involving locusts meant to show how animals’ life has been disturbed lacks importance in this context.
A Nostalgic Last Dance or Not Enough?
In its climax, the film presents both old and new cast members who engage in an amazing visual battle. There are moments filled with real emotion and those between Owen and Maisie are particularly authentic but how everything ends up seems overly hasty leaving some loopholes behind it all. Whether or not this offers complete resolution or a missed chance for one final meaningful farewell depends on what you were expecting.
Entertaining Though Flawed Popcorn Movie
Jurassic World: Dominion is an enjoyable if slightly uneven summer blockbuster movie. It successfully fulfills audiences’ desire for unbelievable dinosaur action; plus, it was great seeing original cast back together again! Yet even then, striking such balance as franchise growth versus deeper themes does not come easy to it. Finally Dominion roars by as good times only hence never truly achieves impact that previous movies had done before it could let go.
Is Dominion Worth Watching?
Well, let’s say you are an ardent Jurassic Park fan and have always dreamt of immersing yourself into the thrilling scenes full of dinosaurs. In this case, Dominion deserves to be watched in a cinema. On the contrary, if you are hopeful of the film that will greatly develop the franchise’s universe or touch on some intricate ideas then the movie may not be worth your expectations.
