Film Review: Jurassic World (Colin Trevorrow, 2015) in IMAX 3D ★★★★

Twenty-two years after, the now forgotten, events of Jurassic Park, Isla Nebula is now a successful and fully functioning theme park complete with living dinosaurs and attractions. Feeling a need to enhance spectators' interest, the park's scientists have cooked up something with "more teeth" and Jurassic World is getting ready to unveil it's first genetic hybrid dinosaur. However, having learnt nothing from raptors in the kitchen, playing with Mother Nature can only have devastating repercussions.

Our story starts almost as if the original sequels didn't happen and picks up right where we left off in Spielberg's 1993 classic. The opening credits oversee some raptor eggs hatching before cutting to the home of teen Zach (Nick Robinson) and his younger brother, Grey (Ty Simpkins), as they are about to make their way to visit their aunt, Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard), the managing director of the most successful theme park in existence - Jurassic World. As the boys arrive, their reaction is much like ours seeing it for the first time in twenty two years. As John Williams' original score kicks in, it pans over the wide open space of the park in all it's glory.

The first hour is clearly a love letter to Spielberg with some scenes seemingly inspired by the original and plenty of subtle (and some not so-subtle) references and tiny humorous digs at the inevitability of making a sequel - some executed wonderfully by Jake Johnson's character, Lowery.


The narrative wastes no time in introducing our protagonists. We meet Claire - an over-worked warden who's mind works purely on the statistics and inner workings of the park and who  hasn't seen her family in years. Claire is forced to call in Owen (Chris Pratt), raptor trainer, ex-Navy and an ex-love interest of hers, dressed in his Indiana Jones attire. The park needs Owen's help to assess the park's latest attraction, the Indominus Rex - part T-Rex, "part classified". The name of the beast itself, though seemingly basic, is justified. Ignoring Owen's warning and clearly having learnt nothing from the events twenty years prior, it is not long before the prehistoric monsters bust their pen and be running riot and Claire must find her nephews who are somewhere among the chaos. 

Jurassic World is breathtaking. Shot in IMAX, the special effects and CGI are practically flawless. The entirety of the film itself is comprised of visually stunning scenes designed to amaze and entertain just as if we were visiting the park ourselves for the first time. Combined with some seamless performances from the entire cast, including a reprising role for Dr. Wang (B.D Wong) it is hard to find any faults at all. Though so scenes may appear as somewhat 'cheesy' but at no the evitiabilities of cliches of the narrative distract from the all-round success of the heartwarming blockbuster.

I could discuss the representation of gender roles and theories of man playing with nature until the cows come home but I feel this draws away from a narrative that is not intending to make a social statement. 
Claire, is a workaholic and as such will never be complete. In this very Disney-esk representation, she is unmarried and therefore her life is unfulfilled by comparison of her sister, played by Judy Grier, who is managing both working life but her family comes first. In this narrative, Claire needs Owen in order to learn how to loosen up and eventually, find love. However, it can be argued there are scenes where she is empowered and comes in to her own.


In terms of Man vs Nature? We all know that creating a part T-Rex, part raptor is never going to end smoothly but Jurassic World notes spectators' constant need to advance. Be it more technology, more speed, more thrill, more fear. And this is hugely relevant in our current reality escaping society - wonderfully worded by Dr. Wang (B.D Wong), "You didn't ask for reality, you asked for more teeth". 


In conclusion then? Jurassic World is outstanding and all it promises to be and more. Filled with nostalgia and awe, it is to be taken simply as a thrilling, visually stunning and action-packed piece of cinema. Whilst it may not be taking home any Oscars for earth-shattering performances or screenplay, Jurassic World is a huge accomplishment in it's own right. Director Colin Trevorrow stays true to the original franchise and is respectful of it's legacy to both returning and new audiences. The moments of comedy, heart-break and Chris Pratt, are all just superb added bonuses. For that reason, Jurassic World gets a Sophie star rating of 4 out of 5 stars for literally reducing me to tears of shear joy. I'm already planning on seeing it a second/third time. 
Though I loved this with every fiber of my being, I am almost certain that the franchise should end here, going out on a huge high.


Have you seen Jurassic World already or planning to go this weekend? Let me know what you made of it! Films like this don't come around very often and, whilst I may be one of a small group of this opinion, it was just perfect. Share your views below!

Hope everyone has a great weekend! Until next time film fans, 




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19 comments

  1. I can't wait to go and see this you make it sound amazing!
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    prettymadthings.blogspot.co.uk / / x

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  2. This film sounds amazing! I can't wait to see it!
    fixmeinfortyfivex.blogspot.co.uk - A Beauty & Lifestyle Blog
    xx

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    1. It's so awesome, hope you like it! You'll have to tell me what you think :) x

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    1. I know!! It was so amazing! So many references to the original x

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  4. I'm going to see it in about an hour. I can't wait! The nostalgia of the whole movie is what's got me so excited. The original Jurassic Park is the very first movie that I actually remember seeing at the theater. It wasn't my first theater experience, but it's the first one I remember so it definitely holds a special place in my cinema loving heart :) I can't wait to see it and I'm even more excited after reading your review!

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    1. Aww I hope you liked it! It's so amazing! You're so lucky you got to see it at the cinema - I was only 2years old so wasn't quite old enough haha but it was always on in my house. Thanks for reading, you'll have to let me know what you made of it x

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  5. I just saw this and I liked it. I identified with Claire with all her business jargon and how she sacrificed personal and family relations for the sake of her career. I would have liked Chris Pratt to be a little more quirky and funny like in Guardians of the Galaxy (or Parks and Rec) but the character here is more of a straight-laced hero. The two kids are fine in this movie. Yes, I think you got it right by saying this movie is very Disney-esque. The movie has great visuals. Something unintentional is that there are a couple of scenes that are reminiscent of the sad documentary Blackfish. But overall, it was a good experience.

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    1. I duno, I think if he played it like StarLord then he'd just be playing the exact same character. I loved everything about it :)

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  6. You've NEVER seen them?! What? How? You definitely need to see them! Thank you :) Hope you get to see it

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  7. YES YES YES!!! I love Jurassic Park, I've seen the first 3 a stupid amount of times I went to see Jurassic World yesterday with my parents and we absolutely loved it. I felt like such a child. It looked absolutely stunning.
    I've never been to the cinema to see a film more then once, but now I think I might have to.

    Great review!!

    Jaye x
    The Life of JP

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    1. Thanks so much! YES, that's exactly what I felt but I'm totally OK with it haha I'm already planning to see it again! Thanks for reading it x

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  8. I'm so excited for this! I just read a negative review and started to worry about it haha. I'm glad I read your review though, it sounds like I'm in for a good time!

    www.sophieslittlesecrets.blogspot.com

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    1. I did the exact same thing and got really nervous! I was so worried about them ruining it but I think if you take the film as intended and as the cool, fun actioning film it's meant to be then it's perfect. You don't need to read too much in to it - it's just awesome haha I'd love to know what you think of it! xx

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  9. I am so glad you loved it too! I plan on seeing it for the second time ASAP.
    I spent most of the film just gawping and jumping the entire time. My partner was in hysterics over this but I really don't care. If a film can do that to me then in my eyes, it is great!
    xox

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    1. Yay! It was so good, I'd see it again and again. I was exactly the same haha so glad someone else has seen it and shares my joy haha xx

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  10. Another brilliant review of a fantastic film. I thought Jurassic World was outstanding :)

    Ashley Christie x https://imamovienerd.wordpress.com/ x

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    1. Thanks so much - I loved it so much! Was just how I imagined and more, perfectly done! x

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