Chances are you're a fan of dinosaurs if you have plans to see 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom'. In that case, you won't be disappointed... This one has more dinos in it than any one of the past 'Jurassic' franchise films, and it's a doozy.
Favourites Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard (Owen and Claire) return to Isla Nublar (joined by welcome cast additions Daniella Pineda as Zia and Justice Smith as Franklin) where a newly active volcano threatens to destroy everything it touches – including the island's population of free-roaming dinosaurs.
Surprisingly, this part of the plot didn't take up as much of the film as it seemed like it was going to in the trailers that have been released, but this isn't a bad thing. There's plenty of action in the remainder of 'Fallen Kingdom', in fact there's barely any time to stop and have a breather... Even in quiet scenes of dialogue between multiple characters there is still an element of suspense or looming unrest.
Let's not forget those gloriously melodramatic and almost soap-opera-esque close-up shots of characters turning their head to confront danger. There are so many of them.
There are also just generally some great action sequences that really keep you on the edge of your seat as they should in a dinosaur film. We've got rivalries, a twist or two and cameos from 'Jurassic' franchise alumni Jeff Goldblum and of course B.D Wong (who was also in 'Jurassic World').
Special effects in a production like this need to be done right in order to translate correctly and make an impression, so how did 'Fallen Kingdom' do in this field? Well, the dinosaurs look incredible, the volcanic chaos on Isla Nublar is genuinely terrifying and the heated moments throughout the film are spectacular. It's safe to say everyone involved really used every cent of the budget well.
We also see the introduction of a brand new dinosaur hybrid: The Indoraptor. Not only is the Indoraptor seemingly unshakable and frightening but it also comes across hilariously sassy and evil, which is a feat by the effects crew considering this is a CGI animal.
Who could forget Blue, the gorgeous velociraptor we're introduced to in the first film of this reincarnation? Never fear! She gets plenty of screen time here, too. Love her.
Not only is the action at a high but the emotion is real in this one as well. Since the main idea of the story here is to 'save the dinosaurs' so to speak, there's a real vulnerability given to these huge creatures that are otherwise seen as fierce and untouchable. One scene in the first third of the film – which was undoubtedly the scene that really hit the hardest – is particularly devastating and won't be something this reviewer forgets for a long time.
So, where does 'Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom' leave us in its finale? Well, to put it simply, somewhere very exciting and promising.
★★★★☆ 1/2.
