IR Film Review: JURASSIC WORLD - DOMINION [Universal]
The approach is closing up a trilogy per se is all about context, where the story is, how it pertains to the rest of the story and how people will remember it. "Jurassic World" as the first film in this trilogy did what it needed to do: create a new world without losing where it came from. "Fallen Kingdom", as the second entry, lost itself a little bit but this was because of the shift to JD Barona from Colin Trevorrow who again returns for the final entry. So there was a slight disconnect and perhaps story structure. In all accounts what happens is the similar textures of the 3rd Star Wars trilogy. There are some beautiful moments here which make one think of the best elements of the original. There are also bigger themes but this is a bigger world now and things tend to work differently. In many ways, "Dominion" can also be also referenced to "The Last Jedi". Trevorrow creates some great sequences (two with Bryce Dallas Howard in succession are the most visceral and impactful). The problem is that there is a lot of waste. Some of the large sequences (like Malta) have a point but could have been leaned out. The plot though has a certain progression (think the casino planet in "The Last Jedi").
Similar to "Last Jedi" again, the plot follows different pairs and mixtures of people at certain points before they all converge. It is an interesting storytelling device but it works better for episodic television. Here, despite some nice moments, it feels disjointed. The story at the core which involves Maisie from "Fallen Kingdom" parallels another birth which is the key motivation of this entry. The background of climate change especially when the variable of dinosaurs built into the new world is understandably complex but not unfathomable. The texture of Claire (Howard) and Owen (Pratt) work well and it is nice to see a healthy relationship per se (even though alot of destruction is involved). The balance with Sadler (Laura Dern) and Grant (Sam Neill) coming back gives a context but for a different generation. And Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) as always is Ian. But oddly enough what really makes this film work is Ian's humor because of its gallows context. This voice was muted in "The Lost World" and "Fallen Kingdom" because he was integral to the plot progression. Here, like the original "Jurassic Park", he happens to be around just watching everything fall apart. Here we see that undeniable chaotician saying "I told you this would happen" with his sardonic angle. Because he is right.
The great thing is that when they are all together (both casts) it is interesting to see Pratt playing a Boy Scout with some world experience and Grant still being just the Boy Scout but with more time under his belt. The creates another great moment underground that shows the beauty of time and context. By comparison, Howard's experiences in the Star Wars TV world means she doesn't have to act as much but she actually is the one with the most physicality while wearing her emotions on her sleeve. She understands what is needed to make the scene really work. The sequence in the jungle when she is in the water is so a homage to "Apocalypse Now" and just sings because the tension (like she has created on "The Mandalorian") is there. The rest of the movie is entertaining and good (but barely to the point of good, and not necessarily great). The production value is there, the reasoning for the plot is sound, the character beats are completely logical and there are lots of dinosaurs. But we have seen it before in a way. Nonetheless, "Jurassic World: Dominion" is a fun ride and checks off all the boxes while wrapping up a successful trilogy. B-
By Tim Wassberg
