Review of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) by Birithivy Y — 22 Jun 2018

Since I was a year old, my earliest memories have been tied to the Jurassic Park franchise. It has been a family tradition to watch these movies together (my parents barely watch English Films but when it comes to the JP movies, they eagerly watch). I've seen the first two films probably a million times, the third one once (lets not talk about that film), and the fourth film a bunch of times as well. But with another solid entry into the franchise, I look at what Fallen Kingdom has to offer, and what is in the future for this storied franchise.

For starters, being a JP fan, this review and analysis might come as a bit biased. I'm speaking from a nostalgic, and fandom perspective. Jurassic World brought forward an interesting new life to the franchise, bringing the ideas of a modern day theme park to life, with the highest of security and technology in place. Of course, the park ends up going into chaos thanks to the new super dinosaur (Indominus Rex) that they created to help spike revenue for the park. As that film closes, it was interesting to think about what the sequel might touch upon.

Fast forward to Fallen Kingdom, which brings us the premise of a world fully aware (and really confused) about what to do with the dinosaur dilemma. Isla Nublar's volcano has become active again, and poses a threat to wipe out all the species on the island, thus, posing as a second extinction of the creatures. You have folks who want to save the dinosaurs (Bryce Dallas Howard's Claire heads the Dinosaur Protection Group) and then there are the folks who just want to see the extinction come and finally wipe the dinosaurs off once and for all. Jeff Goldblum's iconic Ian Malcolm comes in a short but extremely important cameo. His voice of reason is one from personal experiences, and is one that is extremely terrified of the prospect of saving those creatures. But his main fear is that they would be endangering the human race to a new level.

As a rescue operation is discreetly set up to save the dinosaurs and move them to a more secluded island, we have Claire having to reunite and recruit the services of Owen (Chris Pratt), to help find the last velociraptor on the island, his beloved Blue. On the island we end up understanding that the whole process of the rescue operation was just a farce, only having the dinosaurs being taken off the island so that they can be auctioned off in a shady black market auction. We see our heroes go to the mansion where the auction is happening and help thwart the plan to auction most of the dinosaurs. They end up witnessing the horrible and shocking new weaponized prototype hybrid for sale (Indoraptor). With some suspense and chases, we finally get to probably one of the most important moments of the franchise. We see that the characters have a choice in helping release the dinosaurs into the North American wilderness, or, allow them to pretty much die in the mansion, which is slowly being destroyed due to all the chaos that ensued. As one of the new character's (Maisie) pushes the button to free the dinosaurs, we have now entered a new world where dinosaurs are now part of the food chain again, and where humans and dinosaurs must exist alongside each other. And this is why, the next film, and possibly final Jurassic Park film, will be really exciting.

As for the film itself, Fallen Kingdom isn't necessarily an amazing film, but definitely a solid entry in the series. The film goes on a tear in terms of pacing, going at the plot in a brisk pace. Cinematography is a huge plus in the film, as director JA Bayona does a fabulous job of delivering the dark and gloomy visuals that are necessary. Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard do a good job in continuing their respective character arcs, and help show where things are going to go for the final film. The only negative that I could site is possibly the story itself. Though the overall story that Fallen Kingdom is trying to be tell is cool and very interesting, it sways a bit at certain portions of the film. But considering how Fallen Kingdom works in terms of the overall story arc for the trilogy, it's understandable for the way the story is told in the film. Jurassic World had a basic and very easy progression from beginning to end, whereas with Fallen Kingdom, the progression veers a bit. I suspect that once the third film comes out, Fallen Kingdom will be looked at more positively, as it will be the sort of film which helps show what the puzzle is trying to look like before it's completed.

As Fallen Kingdom ends, we truly enter a new world. A Jurassic World. Ian Malcolm's warnings since Jurassic Park and The Lost World Jurassic Park have come into fruition. Humankind's notion and desire to being creators and the fascination of being god has now come back to haunt them. The thrill of discovery has now made things change so drastically in their world, that the past is literally coming back to haunt them.

The ethics of what to do with the dinosaurs is a really interesting topic. Incase this were to happen in a real world setting, many people would want the animals gone and wiped out probably. But who are we to decide the fate of something living and breathing? We created the creatures, but once we create something, do we really have the right to cancel our creation? Yes, humans are at the top of the food chain, but we also have the biggest impact on whatever is happening in the global ecosystem. What if the other species in the world, somehow, someway, decide to wipe us out, would that be fair to us? In the series, humans created dinosaurs for entertainment and business purposes. But as the series has shown from time to time, they never truly considered the ramifications of their pursuit for personal enjoyment. During the dinner table scene in the original Jurassic Park, and during many points in The Lost World Jurassic Park, we see Ian Malcolm as a person determined to help bring some insight and thought towards the creation of the mighty beasts. He isn't against the creatures per say, but, he is worried about how they will alter the balance of things.

Dinosaurs are amazing creatures to look at and to behold, but also, their mindsets and behaviours are different from the rest of the animals on earth. As we see at the end of Fallen Kingdom, the T-Rex roaring in the face of the lion, and the Mossasaur chasing down surfers, these are just signs that these creatures are unfamiliar with the current world settings. Like Malcolm says in this film, the dinosaurs are not compatible with humans. They pose more threats than possibly anything else in the world. His pleas go unheard in the initial meeting at the beginning of the film, and now that the animals are let loose and also sold to shady corporations and war businesses, he also talks about the whole idea of genetics now getting out of hand during the climatic senate meeting. Breakthroughs in science are amazing, but also hold so much problems for the future as well. Though his role probably only consists of 5 minutes of screen time, Malcolm truly narrates the whole idea and notion that this new Jurassic World trilogy is concerned with. Whether the characters in the film like it or not, they have changed the course of history and nature, and now it's literally impossible for things to go back to normal. As he ends off the film (in trade mark Goldblum style), he gives a sad, but harsh "I told you so" line: "Welcome, to Jurassic World.".

And truly the actions and motives of many individuals have caused for the ending of this film to happen. John Hammond and Benjamin Lockwood were so curious that they wanted to create a theme park so astounding that the whole world would enjoy. But they failed to realize that the amazing technology and breakthroughs in science that they done were just starting a ticking clock of doom for mankind. Fast forward to the present day timeline in the series, Fallen Kingdom is interesting in how it shows the harsh reality that science and discovery has to offer. It brings to the forefront the interesting nature that humans have in terms of certain topics. In the film we have the two sides wanting to decide the fate of the dinosaurs, when in actuality, who are we to decide a living breathing thing's purpose on earth? People wanted to advance technology, but also they don't want that technology to come and turn against them. In order for something to happen, there will always be a detriment to that progression. In this film's world, Owen and Claire have no choice but to own up to their actions of having progressed the downfall of mankind (Owen helped show that humans could train dinosaurs, whereas Claire helped fast forward the genetic possibilities by helping give the okay towards creating the Indominus Rex). Though both character's actions and purposes towards their actions might have been for good or for non-violent reasons, they undeniably helped start the butterfly effect of what their world has become.

Also, Fallen Kingdom really touches upon author Michael Crichton's novels. It's interesting that the ideas of that author's work are really being hashed out now. His questions of whether we should pursue breakthroughs in technology are really relevant in today's world. That is why even though on the surface Fallen Kingdom seems like just a monster film, but it does offer more questions than a majority of summer blockbuster films.

The next film (Jurassic World 3?) is pretty much going to look at how humans and dinosaurs, whether both sides like it or not, must coexist. Or, it might show that one side has to go extinct. It will truly be interesting to see how that plays out. Should an all out man made extinction happen? Should humans continue to play god and literally help alter the food chain yet again? Or will dinosaurs get the best of man, reclaim the earth to really make the title Jurassic World come to fruition? And how will it be possible to coexist with these ancient creatures if humans have trouble coexisting with current day animals?

These are the things that leaving me pretty excited for the next film. For sure, there are so much things to talk about after watching this film, which is why I like the JP films. Rather than just being brainless entertainment, there are many real world issues and thoughts that are portrayed and discussed. Yes, the films are not 100% perfect, but I'd watch these films because they do try and convey topics in an entertaining way.

So, we will will see what is in store for the next film, in 2021.