Jurassic World: Das gefallene Königreich (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom)
U.S.A. 2018

Opening 7 Jun 2018

Directed by: J.A. Bayona
Writing credits: Derek Connolly, Colin Trevorrow, Michael Crichton
Principal actors: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Rafe Spall, Justice Smith, Daniella Pineda

An active volcano is endangering all life on the island of Isla Nublar, where the Jurassic World Theme Park was destroyed three years ago. The dinosaurs on the island, left to their own devices, are expecting the same fate they faced millions of years ago: extinction. The world is in outrage and the moral and ethical questions come up: should the government support saving the dinosaurs or leave them to their inevitable doom?

Don’t contemplate too long, because we are already on the island to help save at least 11 species. Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Owen (Chris Pratt) are sent to Isla Nublar to help with their knowledge of the island to find a variety of dinosaurs and bring them to a natural sanctuary -- or so they think. Most important on their “shopping-list” is Blue, the Velociraptor we know from the last film, trained by Owen from early on and the last of her kind. The eruption of the volcano is imminent, so the mission turns out to be more dangerous than expected. All life is on the run, and suddenly it doesn’t matter if you are man or dinosaur, dramatic scenes evolve when Claire and Owen try to escape the island.

The saved dinos are transported to a big mansion on the American mainland. It is all very mysterious. Or not. Of course it’s all about money, and of course the greedy have an outrageous idea to make even more money. But with fatal consequences -- the regular Jurassic franchise’s story plot.

Whoever expects to see the cinematic prodigy of the year is barking up the wrong tree. This is Jurassic World. As innovative as it may have been 25 years ago, the franchise now caters to the dino-fan, who loves a good roar and wants to see the bad guys finally getting eaten by some magnificent beast. Circle of life. No big surprises but fantastic Dino-CGI, and a breathtaking atmosphere.

Though the idea to bring dinosaurs to “our world” seems full of drama potential, this movie lacks in fully taking advantage of its possibilities. The story is flat, interesting elements of it are only scratched upon, and leaves one to wonder if they might be taken into consideration in a next movie. Gene-manipulation – Hello! However, I was emotionally taken by the doomsday scenario on the island, which seemed very realistic, comparing it to recently active volcanoes in Hawaii and Guatemala.

All together a great dino-scare and living up to Jurassic-fan expectations. (Karen Eve Malinowski O’Shaughnessy)