Welcome.....To Jurassic World!

Jurassic Park was one of the possibly 6 movies we had on VHS at my house growing up. Did we watch it at least once a week for a few years straight? Sure, we didn't have Netflix, OnDemand, Hulu, Vudu - we also didn't have voodoo, or money. Our cinematic minds weren't tainted then by Computer Generated Imagery and motion-capture. We were thrilled to be breathing amongst the T-Rex's like never before. Precisely why for the much-anticipated next installment of the franchise executive produced by its own Steven Spielberg, I wanted Velociraptors not Velocicraptors. Getting the director of the sci-fi indie Safety Not Guaranteed (Colin Trevorrow) was a clever choice. One could hope for a big budget with an indie heart.

Jurassic World returns us to Isla Nublar, where the new owner of the dino park has asked his scientists to create a bigger & better experience for its declining attendees, unaware that some of his staff have become Dr. Frankenstein's. In an effort to increase ticket sales, a genetically engineered new breed of dinosaurs now exist behind the cages and visitors will likely take notice to their eccentric behaviors as they start swallowing whole, humans and dinosaurs alike.

The writers have changed a few aspects of the formula to represent how the world has changed in the last 22 years since Jurassic Park's release. What is worldly about World is its international supporting cast. A tactic to solidify worldwide box office? Maybe. Regardless, it's a step in the right direction. Also different is the film's leads have already been working at the park for some time as an Operations Manager (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Raptor Trainer (Chris Pratt), instead of visiting the park for the first time. Their struggle as employees is to maintain an alive customer head count, while convincing the dinosaurs that they come in peace. Dallas Howard and Pratt's characters do not witness the fantastical park as Jurassic virgins, thus changing the viewer's experience by not forming a shared connection with the leads. They have already seen what we are seeing with a fresh pair of eyes. World's intention is to function more as a family film - sans the real suspense and horror of the first installment - by following the kids on the adventure, and omitting the terror and mature dialogue that this film is in need of.

I immediately found myself drawn more to the intriguing supporting players than the Jurassic World stars. Fresh off of stealing a million fans (and their hearts) with Guardians of the Galaxy, Chris Pratt failed to command the screen - a necessity for the head Raptor Trainer determined to save the park's 20,000+ family attendees. His goofy personality which shined so brightly in Parks & Recreation and Guardians seemed to have checked out of Jurassic World. Though his character Owen was (poorly) written as a macho-type, Pratt performed almost robotic-like throughout the film. The owner of Jurassic World Simon Misrani, played by Irrfan Khan, commanded the screen more and proved very effective as the new "John Hammond." Khan's go-getter enthusiasm was met with authentic disdain for the modification of species. I also thoroughly enjoyed watching, even wanted more screen time for Jake Johnson's nostalgic fanboy control room techie, Lowery. He's a lover of the original Park, which is why he spent $150 on eBay for the vintage '93 shirt. Johnson steals the scenes that he is in, to the point where I wondered if he should have played Owen's character instead of Pratt. Jake Johnson is definitely filling the quirky Jeff Goldblum slot from JP 1 & 2.

The film is a family-action experience, many times functioning as an amusement park ride. It is going to be a winner for children and families. I personally wanted more emotionally intimate moments with the dinosaurs, though parts of the film did have some heart. A bit more darkness and terror would have elevated the experience as well. I felt that both leads were not written well and lacked chemistry. The foundation of the film just has to be improved upon if Jurassic World does continue as a new set of JP movies. It's an entertaining installment to the franchise, but I would easily "shoooooot haaaaaaa" for the original. Sam Neill... Where art thou?

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