Wednesday, July 15, 2015

Film Review: Jurassic World (2015)

Copyright: Universal Pictures
Jurassic World is a film that just hits its mark dead center. It delivers fast and hard, seemingly fully liberated from the pressure of huge production and a cast that did not spend decades in blockbuster films. First, here is the director Colin Trevorrow, who was before of this film, known only for Safety Not Guaranteed, a really clever and interesting film, but microscopic when compared to the mammoth production of the Jurassic World.
A similar situation occurs with main actors as well. Chris Pratt became huge with the smash success The Guardians of The Galaxy, but others, like Bryce Dallas Howard, Vincent D'Onofrio, and Jake Johnson (who is still typecast as the comedy guy, even though he can do more, like he showed in Drinking Buddies), sure can act but did not exactly made hundreds of millions by being in popcorn films. But, maybe just because of this, Trevorrow glides through the story and ridiculously expensive sets like a pterodactyl (I couldn’t resist this corny pun). 

In the fashion of great child adventures, Jurassic world is unburdened and clear of all the subliminal 21st-century anxieties, dark Nolanisms and dull catering to “being edgy” or too adult. Instead, it unleashes dinosaurs, throws around a few jokes and plays with the destruction of a park that was one again poking mighty nature in the wrong DNA hole.

The simple story of two brothers visiting the new, safe and secure Jurassic park quickly goes astray with a single new, genetically engineered dinosaur. At the same time, Owen, one of the park’s trainers, is trying to make a personal connection with a pack of Raptors, while outside interests try to gauge them as a potential means of weaponizing nature for a military purpose. Using this plain, but refreshing character dynamic (Owen and Raptors vs. the new dinosaur Menace) Trevorrow shows his quick and out-of-the-box method of reasoning. Here, it works like a charm.

Also, Pratt gives his best in the role. After a few minutes of his on-screen time, it is clear that he is equally comfortable as funny Owen and dead-serious Owen. Also, the transition between them it seamless and lightning fast because, I believe, Pratt plays one complete, believable person he envisioned and constructed in his mind. In this regard, the man reminds me of a young Harrison Ford and is undoubtedly one of the future male mega stars, which will be a title (I hope) he completely continues to deserve, role after a role.

Jurassic World is a film that pushes all the right buttons for a thrilling adventure with no unnecessary baggage. For that, Trevorrow, his writers, cinematographers and cast should be sincerely congratulated.