The summer movie season of 2025 is set to take us back in time with the release of the first trailer for Jurassic World Rebirth. As the seventh installment in the iconic Jurassic Park franchise and the inaugural film of a "new era" following the conclusion of the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard-led trilogy with Jurassic World Dominion, this latest entry is helmed by director Gareth Edwards. Boasting a fresh cast including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali, and featuring the return of original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp, the film promises excitement. However, the trailer suggests a narrative that feels like a regression for the series. Where is the expansive world of dinosaurs that Fallen Kingdom hinted at, and Dominion further teased?
Let's delve into what the trailer reveals and conceals, and explore why the Jurassic World series might be overlooking its most promising opportunity.
**Back to the Cretaceous** --------------------------The Jurassic World trilogy, despite its mixed reception among critics, has remained a powerhouse at the global box office over the past decade. Dinosaurs continue to captivate audiences worldwide, and Universal's decision to continue the franchise with a new cast and crew was a no-brainer. Director Gareth Edwards, renowned for his work on 2014’s Godzilla and Rogue One, brings a unique vision to the series. His expertise in conveying scale through VFX-heavy blockbusters and his CGI background set him apart from many directors transitioning from indie films to big-budget projects.
The trailer showcases stunning dinosaur animations, a testament to Edwards' skill in visual storytelling and attention to detail in proportions and lighting. This new film already surpasses many unsightly blockbusters released in recent years, especially considering Edwards was brought on board in February 2024 and began production by June. While the trailer doesn't give us much time with the new characters to gauge their appeal, the action sequences and dinosaur screen time are impressive. However, the absence of the "world of dinosaurs" concept teased since Fallen Kingdom looms large, overshadowing the trailer's highlights.
AnswerSee Results**An Island? Again?!** ----------------------The setting of Jurassic World Rebirth might sound familiar: yet another island teeming with dinosaurs. This time, it's not Isla Nublar or Isla Sorna but a mysterious third location touted as "the research facility for the original Jurassic Park." This setting feels like a retreat to the franchise's traditional roots, featuring dinosaurs isolated on a tropical island away from civilization. This approach seems redundant, especially after the previous trilogy concluded with dinosaurs roaming freely across the globe.
According to Universal's official synopsis, "Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived." While this explanation attempts to justify the setting, it feels like an unnecessary pivot. The previous trilogy worked hard to establish a global Jurassic World, so why abandon that best new idea?
Dominion showcased dinosaurs thriving in various environments, from snowy landscapes to urban settings, contradicting the notion that the world is inhospitable to them. The Malta chase scene in Dominion, featuring carnivores navigating a city, was one of the most thrilling and innovative sequences in the film. Given the Jurassic franchise's proven track record at the box office, why not take a bold step forward and explore uncharted territories?
It's possible that Jurassic World Rebirth has more surprises in store than what's revealed in the initial trailer. Rumors suggested the original title was Jurassic City, hinting at a different setting that may be intentionally kept under wraps. Nonetheless, it's high time for the Jurassic franchise to break free from the tropical island motif. While a full-blown Planet of the Apes-style dinosaur world might be ambitious, there's surely room for a more diverse range of settings. As we await the release of Jurassic World Rebirth, we hope the franchise will embrace the opportunity to innovate rather than recycle old concepts.
Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills
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