Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – When the volcano on Isla Nublar, the site of the fateful ‘Jurassic World’, erupts, all life that remains on the island is destined to die out unless humans can intervene to save them. The US government refuses so it is up to a small team led by Claire Dearing and a reluctant Owen Grady to save the last few remaining dinosaurs before they go extinct once again. However, with the inevitable dangers and things with their employers not being all that they seem, can they survive the horrors ahead?

Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) – Director: J. A. Boyona

By Source, Fair use, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?curid=54381260

Rating: 12

Running Length: 128 minutes

Starring: Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ted Levine

Genre: Action, Science Fiction

REVIEW – ‘JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM’

Does the world need another Jurassic Park movie? With so many thrills around every corner, its hard to argue that ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom is anything but delightfully silly violence (just as all the others have been). Former characters, Claire Dearing and Owen Grady (Bryce Dallas Howard and Chris Pratt, respectively) are back, sniping at each other and fending off dinosaurs at every turn just like before.

Although these characters are fun to watch, where ‘Fallen Kingdom’ actually falls down is that the only hint of original plot is paper-thin (going in to extreme danger to save a few forgotten, should-be-extinct dinosaurs), making it either predictable or even more ridiculous than ever. Unfortunately, the rest of the story is practically identical to the previous instalments. Does anyone really believe that the people Dearing and Grady are working with have altruistic intentions? Will the T-Rex ever eat the characters it saves from slightly smaller carnivores? Does anyone really care whether Claire and Owen become romantically involved? Essentially, if you have seen ‘The Lost World’, the franchise’s first sequel, ‘Fallen Kingdom’ will hold no surprises for you. But (and this is a big but), what ‘Fallen Kingdom’ does well is ramp up the action, make the baddies worse than ever, the dinosaurs are, as usual, impressive and exciting, plus there is bucket loads of dinosaur attacks to keep you on the edge of your seat.

There’s no denying that ‘Fallen Kingdom’ isn’t high art, it is however fun and thrilling and, if we’re being honest, do we need anything else from our most famous dinosaurs? So, to answer our initial question , the world doesn’t need another Jurassic Park movie, but it’s more than happy to get one!

CONTENT – IS ‘JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM’ SUITABLE FOR CHILDREN?

There are numerous intense scenes where dinosaurs kill or almost kill characters (both major and incidental). We do not detail all of these scenes below in order to avoid spoilers, however we recommend caution as if children will struggle with the below content, the movie is likely to be very frightening for them.

On Isla Nubla, the island that once housed Jurassic World, a small team collect samples from the skeletons from dead dinosaurs. A two-man submarine team collects a bone from underwater, one of the men is afraid but the other tells him to relax as everything there is long-dead. However, a huge shadow glides above them. A man on the surface is chased by a T-Rex, he manages to grab a ladder hanging from a fleeing helicopter but when the T-Rex grabs hold of it, those on the helicopter realise their only hope is to cut the ladder and let the man die. Things take a different turn but there are still several deaths.

A character approaches a damaged vehicle which has been flipped upside down. After a few tense seconds, a couple of small dinosaurs jump out then suddenly a large, dangerous dinosaur appears. This happens soon after the main group arrive on the island and therefore is one of the first intense scenes in the movie so some kids could find these jump scares frightening. During this scene, the larger dinosaur jumps on a man and as it bites his head, blood splatters onto the screen, there is then a close-up shot of the dinosaur’s claws covering the man’s face.

Two characters are trapped inside a room and their only escape seems to be a large tunnel, however they can hear the sounds of a large, aggressive dinosaur coming from the other end. As lava drips down from the top of the tunnel, the silhouette of the dinosaur can be seen in quick flashes. This scene then becomes very intense with the dinosaur attacking the characters.

Two characters are trapped inside a vehicle which has fallen into water and is quickly filling up. Another character attempts to save them but struggles to find the right tool to open it. The characters inside begin panic, however they are saved and all 3 manage to get to dry land.

When leaving the island which has now been completed destroyed by the volcano, they look back and see a herbivorous, i.e harmless, dinosaur watching them go. It mournfully calls to them and is gradually consumed by smoke and fire. The characters are visibly upset by this touching scene.

A young girl walks backwards towards a large, dark cage. Not realising anything is behind her, she gets too close and large claws reach out and touch her hair. It then roars aggressively at her.

Many of the dinosaurs are treated badly by humans. One character collects teeth and, when taking one from a drugged dinosaur, it lurches and groans in pain, the character then says ‘You’re gonna feel that when you wake up!’ Others are forced into small enclosures by the use of cattle prods. One dinosaur is forced into a cage which has a live, chained goat. The goat is afraid and attempts to flee, the camera cuts but then immediately comes back to part of the goat sticking out of the dinosaur’s mouth.

A character enters the cage of a very dangerous dinosaur which he believes has been successfully tranquilised. It then inevitably wakes up and grabs hold of the man’s arm, lifting him off the ground. The man cries out in shock and pain before his arm is completely ripped off and eaten by the dinosaur. He shrinks to the back of the cage and cries in terror. The camera then shows the scene from a distance as the dinosaur kills the man.

A dinosaur puts one of its claws into a character’s leg, she screams in pain but the camera cuts before any blood is seen. Shortly afterwards, the wound is shown briefly and is a large, bloody gash.

CAN I SEE A CLIP?

VERDICT:  IS ‘JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM’ FOR KIDS?

It may be treading familiar ground but ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ provides ample action and entertainment. Due to there being so many intense and violent scenes, we feel ‘Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom’ is appropriate for kids aged 10 and over. However we recommend adult supervision as once the characters arrive on the island, there is little let-up from the brutal attacks and killings.

• Violence: 4/5 (lots of intense violence involving dinosaurs, however most deaths are off-screen. A character is murdered by someone they trust. Nothing graphic is shown, however the killer is seen to approach the victim with a pillow, an object belonging to them falls to the floor and smashes. The body is later found by a loved one who is devastated by the death)
• Emotional Distress: 2/5
• Fear Factor: 5/5
• Sexual Content: 0/5
• Bad Language: 3/5 (infrequent moderate cursing, some blasphemy)
• Dialogue: 2/5
• Other Notes: Deals with themes of conservation, the ethics of allowing a doomed species live, survivalism, playing God, greed, betrayal, compassion, courage, trusting your instincts and animal trafficking.

Words by Laura Record

[amazon_link asins=’B07CG1QP1F,1405291621,1783123648,B07D91ZZX9,0525580832′ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’isthimovsui-21′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’a95ca3b4-69c3-11e8-8221-15154422c830′]