“Jurassic World Dominion”: Review of Franchise Finale
“Jurassic World Dominion” is the latest film in the franchise, marking the final film in the “Jurassic World” trilogy, the sixth main entry in the overall “Jurassic Park” franchise and the final installment to nearly 30 years of stories. Director Colin Trevorrow returns to the helm to close out the series in a finale that’s sure to please old and new fans alike.
The film picks up four years after the events of 2018’s “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.” As Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott) seeks to take advantage of global instability caused by dinosaurs roaming the earth, the story unites Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) with series veterans Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Ellie Sadler (Laura Dern) in a 146-minute globetrotting adventure that’s been eagerly anticipated for ages (the film was initially slated for release in the summer of 2020, but was one of many productions delayed by the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic).
On a budget of $185 million, the film maintains the raw thrills and impressive special effects that helped make the series a summer blockbuster staple ever since the first “Jurassic Park” film in 1993. Taking place everywhere from Montana to Malta to Dodgson’s compound in Italy, Trevorrow shows off a wide range of familiar dinos and new threats (including a swarm of bioengineered locusts). Recognizable dinosaurs such as the Tyrannosaurus rex and Velociraptors are joined by newcomers such as the Pyroraptor and the Gigantosaurus (the latter of which the filmmakers have described as the dinosaur equivalent of the Joker).
With the film making another record run at the box office, “Jurassic World Dominion” is a solid end to this run of the series (and a far better ending to its trilogy than 2001’s much-maligned “Jurassic Park III”). As a potential end to the franchise, it’s a finale 65 million years in the making.
Starring Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Justice Smith, Omar Sy, BD Wong and Campbell Scott with Jeff Goldblum, Laura Dern and Sam Neill
Directed by Colin Trevorrow
Rated PG-13
