The reviews are in and with 65 reviews counted, Gareth Edwards’ “Jurassic World: Rebirth” is coming in with a decided mixed 58% on Rotten Tomatoes, along with a 55/100 on Metacritic.
In both cases, that’s a decidedly higher score than the last two “Jurassic World” films received (‘Dominion’ hitting a franchise low of 38/100 on MC). It’s also better than the scores for “Jurassic Park III” on both, and “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” on RT. In other words – it’s one of the better sequels.
The 134-minute film aims to return to the franchise’s roots – bringing back original “Jurassic Park” scribe David Koepp and adding Edwards’ knack for visuals along with star power thanks to Scarlett Johansson.
The result however can’t seem to escape the ‘been there, done that’ feel according to the reviews which mostly appreciate the visual and tonal shift but find it all rather bland. Here’s a sampling of reviews:
“The second-best Jurassic movie ever made. Admittedly, this isn’t as huge a compliment as it could be, given the movies that have preceded it.” – Liz Shannon Miller, Consequence
“Now, against all odds, these dinosaurs have had a brand refresh: a brighter, breezier, funnier, incomparably better acted and better written film.” – Peter Bradshaw, The Guardian
“Johansson is a marked improvement over the Bryce Dallas Howard character in the previous three Jurassic World movies and it’s especially satisfying to get a woman in the role of the team’s toughest member, with no obligation to be anyone’s love interest.” – Peter DeBruge, Variety
“There are worse exercises in IP-extension out there in the marketplace. But it is hard to imagine what possible basis there could be for an eighth Jurassic film.” – Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair
“Jurassic Park Rebirth is one of the more successful and satisfying entries in the franchise precisely because it, uh, finds a way to keep Loomis’ mantra close, foregrounding the film’s sense of wonder above a mere blatant cash grab.” – Maureen Lee Lenker, EW
“How can a movie about mutant dinosaurs be this forgettable to look at? It’s a shame. Great schlock is one of life’s real pleasures, but Koepp is too bored for that, and Edwards too earnest.” – Danny Leigh, Financial Times
“The “Jurassic” sequels were bad enough when they made an effort to evolve — they’re even less worth seeing now that they already come pre-fossilized.” – David Ehrlich, IndieWire
“Jurassic World: Rebirth has a better-than-average filmmaker at the helm, a top-notch screenwriter, a bona fide movie star in action-hero mode… So why the hell does this feel so generic, so by-the-numbers, so instantly forgettable?” – David Fear, Rolling Stone
“Jurassic World: Rebirth:” is set to open in cinemas on Wednesday.
