After the last film fumbled the formula, the Jurassic franchise is back with a fresh start in *Jurassic World Rebirth*. With a new director, Gareth Edwards (*Godzilla*, *Rogue One*), and a new cast, the film aims to bring back the wonder and terror of the original. But in a world where we’ve seen it all, can dinosaurs—even new hybrid ones—still be scary?
🦖 Back to Basics
This new installment acts as a standalone story, bringing in a fresh set of characters to get back to business as usual. The plot centers on a team of mercenaries and a paleontologist, led by characters played by Scarlett Johansson and Mahershala Ali, who are sent to an abandoned InGen research facility to collect DNA samples from some of the biggest species. This simple setup allows the film to focus on what the franchise does best: suspenseful set-pieces.
🎬 A Spielbergian Sensibility
Director Gareth Edwards is known for his Spielbergian approach to action, and it serves him well here. The film is packed with pulse-pounding sequences, from a Mosasaur attacking a boat to a terrifying encounter in a Quetzalcoatlus nest. The action peaks with a terrific river sequence, adapted from Michael Crichton’s original novel, that proves once again that no genetically engineered monster is a match for the iconic T. rex.
🧬 Do We Need More Hybrids?
The film introduces a new hybrid, the six-limbed, Giger-inspired Distortus Rex, which is an impressive creation on screen. However, the movie proves that the classic dinosaurs are still the main attraction. While the new monster adds to the chaos, the most effective moments of awe and terror come from the creatures we know and love. Edwards successfully brings the series back to its roots, finding a way to imbue it with a sense of wonder and proving that, when done right, dinosaurs will always be a terrifying sight on the big screen.
Bibliography:
Maytum, Matt. “Jurassic World Rebirth.” SFX, issue 394, Future plc, August 2025, p. 72.
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