Jurassic World

If there was a film to come even close to the new dawn of Star Wars: The Force Awakens in terms of sheer, massive fan hype , it is another return to a classic, well-loved franchise. So, after having finally watched this one (again on DVD - so conservative I know) here is my brief take on Jurassic World.

I don't know really what I was expecting; I knew it would probably not stand a kin and equal to the original (or even the original trilogy of films) and I guessed quite a radical change in direction was probably needed in terms of revamping the core concepts for a new generation.

In a sense I was right, this is certainly not Jurassic Park the original - more like a very select list of cherry-picked elements taken from the trilogy before it, which someone has tried to turn up to 11.

I say tried to turn up to 11, because to me the effect was very hit and miss.

No doubt about it, this is certainly a massively action-packed, popcorn-flick thrill-ride; and if that is all you want then fine. And whilst the visual effects are stunning too within all the action, the sheer volume and bombardment of the audience with them does result in cheapening the whole thing come the end of the film. Maybe we are just used to the infinite possibility of CGI magic these days, but not once when seeing all the effects of Jurassic World, though I admit they were impressive, was I ever shocked or blown away at all.

Also, one of the major plot movements in this latest film is the idea of a massive, technologically innovative consumer theme park centered on dinosaurs now being a reality (following on of course from when we got to see the beginning kernels of the idea way back in 1993). Whilst I fully understand and appreciate why they did this to move the franchise along and drive this particular film, I think it has backfired. To present us with these creatures on such a massive and encompassing scale renders them almost unremarkable, not at all threatening, and with no element of mystique at all. Gone are the senses of awe at the T-Rex or the chills of the terrifying velociraptor. The personable, and chillingly real threat and reaction to these dinosaurs which the original films worked so hard to develop and build upon is gone. To up the ante in Jurassic World the whole antagonistic premise was that of a very far-fetched genetically modified "super-dinosaur", which was completely predictable and to me struck completely the wrong tone. The lack of true personable reaction, and as I say the mystique and intrigue of dinosaurs in a Jurassic Park series film is something I was extremely dissapointed with.

Another major plus point of the originals was of course the human actors, who even in such adventurous settings still gave great performances.

In Jurassic World, gone are the likes of Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum and the late great Richard Attenborough . Whilst we got a surprise return from B.D Wong (who sadly I do not think was covered in glory upon his return, in terms of writing and performance) to tie us to the original Jurassic Park, the new principle cast was all knew.

Continually rising star Chris Pratt just about managed to pull off the lead role for me, with a new raptor connection which whilst intriguing, was still very far-fetched. So too by the skin of her teeth did Bryce Dallas Howard for my liking, though she did seem to sadly fit more into a "token female" stereotype than an individual character in her own right. Whilst this pairing did just get through without too many negatives I feel, I would doubt whether or not they can carry that on into another film, as Neill and Goldblum did before them.

So yes, just good enough story, stunning visuals, and some good performances, but to me nothing to redefine anything noteworthy, and especially not resulting in the revamp or even duly deserved continuation of the franchise itself. Pure unstoppable Jurassic Park fans may well have been raving at every second, but to me as an individual film first and foremost and the latest in a franchise second; despite being being enjoyable I feel there is definitely considerable improvement to be found in this new Jurassic World.