**May contain spoilers….consider yourself warned**
The 5th Jurassic installment hits theatres nationwide on June 22nd and is poised a colossal box office hit. Part monster movie, part sci-fi, it borrows from classics such as Nosferatu, Godzilla, Planet of the Apes, Alien, Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark, and of course builds on the original source material, Jurassic Park.
To summarize, Fallen Kingdom picks up three years after Jurassic World (2015) with a now active volcano on Isla Nublar threatening the (second)extinction of the dinosaurs. Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), wearing much more sensible shoes this time around, is recruited by Eli Mills (Rafe Spall), a representative for Benjamin Lockwood (James Cromwell), John Hammond’s former partner, to lead a mission that would result in the saving of 11 species. With little resistance and to nobody’s surprise, Owen (Chris Pratt) agrees to help along with two of Claire’s associates, a prehistoric veterinarian (Daniella Pineda) and bumbling tech wiz (Justice Smith).
After an action-packed (albeit predictable) nature romp, we are told what we already knew from the trailer “it was all a lie” and are transported to Lockwood’s remote estate. This is where the real fun begins. Unbeknownst to the sickly Lockwood, Mills has been searching for a way to profit from the dinosaurs and created the Indoraptor hybrid super monster, which is one of the nastiest dinosaurs I’ve ever encountered on the big screen. We also get to know Lockwood’s granddaughter, Maisie, who isn’t all she seems to be. Things get darker, bigger and more nightmarish as the humans lose control and the dinosaurs’ instincts kick in. As Dr. Malcom originally stated, life finds a way.
The film evolves into more of a thriller, bordering on horror at times and certainly has highly intense moments of suspense. While the predictability outcome is high, how they get from Point A to Point B to Denumont is creative. It was happily suspenseful and had some surprisingly heartfelt moments under the guidance of director J. A. Bayona.
My overall opinion: I loved it and am excited to see it in IMAX this week! Remember to stay for the post-credits scene for a hint of where the next film may take us.
Thanks Universal for putting together such an amazing premiere event!
