Dumb Things We Can’t Ignore In Jurassic World Rebirth

Contains spoilers for “Jurassic World Rebirth“

In the latest “Jurassic Park” movie titled “Jurassic World Rebirth,” the story follows mercenary Zora Bennett, played by Scarlett Johansson, and her team including Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali) and Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey). They are hired by a pharmaceutical company to journey to an island teeming with dinosaurs. Their mission is to extract blood from three gigantic prehistoric creatures, which will be used to develop a groundbreaking cure for coronary diseases. The film, directed by Gareth Edwards of “Rogue One” fame, marks the end of the days for characters Ian Malcolm and Claire Dearing.

It turns out that this seemingly straightforward mission in the restricted area of Ile Saint-Hubert becomes increasingly problematic, and what’s more, the “Rebirth” screenplay lacks credibility and logical flow. This is a poorly constructed feature film that fails to match the clever storytelling found in “Jurassic Park”, instead offering confusion and bewilderment at every turn.

Occasionally, some of the least expected aspects in “Jurassic World: Rebirth” seem like odd homages (or lack thereof) to the original Jurassic Park sequels, specifically a significant location. Additionally, other issues with the script are linked to the one-dimensional characters, their poorly developed storylines, or their inconsistent interactions with other cast members. Although viewers don’t go into a Jurassic World film expecting total realism, this movie contains certain moments that undermine any emotional involvement in the characters or suspense during the dinosaur-focused scenes. Just as “life finds a way,” minor flaws keep cropping up in every corner of “Rebirth.

Where did Isla Sorna go?

It seems that after the movies “The Lost World: Jurassic Park” and “Jurassic Park III,” it was anticipated that Isla Sorna, InGen’s secret location for creating dinosaurs before transporting them to Isla Nublar, would serve as the primary setting for future “Jurassic Park” films. However, when “Jurassic World” was released in 2015 and portrayed a fully operational dinosaur theme park on Isla Nublar, Isla Sorna has been mostly excluded from the “Jurassic Park” series, with only a brief reference to some Isla Sorna dinosaurs being moved to BioSyn’s headquarters in “Jurassic World Dominion.

It’s puzzling that Isla Sorna is overlooked in “Jurassic World Rebirth,” especially since it was a key location in previous Jurassic Park sequels and seems ideal for dinosaur hunters due to its history of supporting dinosaurs for millennia. After all, if dinosaurs are trying to avoid the harsh modern climate, wouldn’t they gravitate towards Isla Sorna? Given that Isla Nublar was destroyed in “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” one might expect Isla Sorna to hold even greater significance for the dinosaur hunters of “Rebirth.” However, just as it has been in the past, Isla Sorna is conspicuously absent from this latest installment of the franchise.

Dinosaurs can no longer survive on Earth

1) The conclusion of “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” left viewers eagerly anticipating what’s next for this series. As the dinosaurs escaped from Lockwood’s mansion and roamed across America, the traditional boundaries of “Jurassic Park” were shattered. Now, these fearsome creatures were no longer limited to two isolated islands; instead, they could be found in various locations such as beaches, zoos, and campgrounds.

Unfortunately, the promised entertaining aspects of this development didn’t come to fruition. “Jurassic World Dominion” only partially utilized this idea, mainly through a scene in Italy. Contrastingly, “Jurassic World Rebirth” strives even harder to distance itself from this concept. From the outset, text on screen informs viewers that dinosaurs are becoming extinct worldwide due to their inability to thrive in Earth’s current climate.

It seems rather flimsy to dismiss the idea that dinosaurs are so common in today’s world just as a way of avoiding complexity. After all, these ancient creatures managed to coexist with our modern society for four years between “Fallen Kingdom” and “Dominion”. However, only three years later, in “Rebirth”, they mysteriously retreat to isolated locations near the equator. This sudden change appears to be a budget-saving decision to avoid creating elaborate sets and sequences depicting a world drastically altered by living with dinosaurs. It effectively squashes the intriguing possibility hinted at in “Fallen Kingdom”.

Reuben’s mysteriously erratic injured foot

In “Jurassic World Rebirth,” Reuben (Manuel Garcia-Rulfo) is not a seasoned mercenary or a genius scientist. Instead, he’s an ordinary father of two daughters who unexpectedly encounters danger while boating in dinosaur-filled waters. His family gets rescued by Zora Bennett and her team, setting him up as an everyday person thrust into extraordinary, overwhelming situations.

An important example of this is when Reuben sustains a serious foot wound in one of the film’s initial action sequences. The pain from this injury is so intense that he hobbles around Ile Saint-Hubert with a homemade cane, limps noticeably, and even requires assistance to navigate steep areas. In fact, the sequence featuring a T-Rex chase in a river takes place because it’s more convenient for Reuben and his group to travel by raft due to his injury.

As the third act unfolds, the leg injury that had been bothering Reuben mysteriously disappears. This unexpected recovery makes it through the entire ordeal, even when everyone is dodging chasing beasts or the persistent D-Rex. It’s quite perplexing, considering how consistently the script by David Koepp had highlighted this issue before the climax. Leaving it out in the final stretch seems more disconcerting than using Reuben’s injury to create additional challenges for the story’s climax. Removing this plot point also weakens Reuben’s everyman quality, as his character, already underdeveloped, loses any remaining traces of personality due to this odd choice.

The inconsistent dinosaur designs

In the past, Ile Saint-Hubert served as a research facility for InGen, where scientists experimented with creating unusual dinosaurs as main attractions for Jurassic World. This is how the final antagonist, the D-Rex, was born. Therefore, “Jurassic World Rebirth” promises an array of unique dinosaur species and innovative designs not found elsewhere. The Mutadons, a hybrid of raptors and flying creatures, truly embody this uniqueness as they combine the ferocity of raptors with the aerial abilities of flying beasts.

In another scenario, the island teems with dinosaurs reminiscent of “Jurassic Park,” but adorned in fresh hues. For example, the Compsognathus reappears, now sporting bright blue and red tones. Contrastingly, during the film, a T-Rex exhibits a more earthy color scheme. As for the fleetingly glimpsed Dilophosaurus, it seems to have retained its original colors without any major changes.

As a gamer speaking about the design of dinosaurs in the “Rebirth” franchise, I can’t help but notice a hesitance to stray too far from familiar visual territories. The intention seems to be keeping the franchise reminiscent of classic movies like “Jurassic Park” and “The Lost World.” However, this approach leads to an inconsistency that feels jarring. Some dinosaurs appear otherworldly, akin to aliens from outer space, while others seem like they were simply copied and pasted from the visual effects of “Jurassic World.” This missed opportunity for originality, combined with the difficulty in accepting Ile Saint-Hubert as a functioning dinosaur ecosystem, leaves me questioning the authenticity of the whole experience.

The lack of suspicion over Martin’s brief absence

As soon as the “Jurassic World Rebirth” cast arrives at Ile Saint-Hubert, Zora Bennett becomes wary of Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend), the expedition’s wealthy backer. Earlier, Teresa (Luna Blaise) had honestly stated that Krebs made no effort to rescue her from a Spinosaurus attack, so as not to reveal the secret of their illegal mission to the authorities. Consequently, Zora questions Krebs about his ethical values and decides to keep a watchful eye on this suspicious character.

It doesn’t take much time for Zora to falter in her duties. Among the numerous implausible storylines, this one is particularly frustrating and foolish. Shortly after Zora promises to keep Krebs under watch, the rest of the group departs, allowing Krebs to come across a crashed helicopter. He then spends multiple minutes gathering a stick to retrieve a gun that he will later use against the movie’s protagonists in the climax.

It’s unlikely that the vigilant mercenary Zora would trust Krebs without keeping a close eye on him, given her suspicion of his intentions. The lengthy delay in his return, as he attempts to steal a helicopter and acquire weapons, only adds to the strange lack of suspicion about his extended absence.

Teresa and Reuben’s unresolved father-daughter strife

Discussing Teresa, we see in “Jurassic World Rebirth” that her relationship with her father Reuben is strained. Reuben isn’t pleased that Teresa has brought her boyfriend Xavier (David Iacono) along on their sailing trip. He attempts to discuss this issue with Teresa, expressing his desire to spend some one-on-one time with his eldest daughter before she goes off to New York University in the fall. However, Teresa reassures him that she’s not leaving the family permanently; she’s just going to college, not saying goodbye forever.

A forthcoming shift in family dynamics (following what seems to be Reuben’s divorce from his daughters’ mother) is causing significant tension between father and daughter. A dinosaur-filled island could offer a chance for them to strengthen their bond, but this potential development is swiftly dropped once Reuben’s boat sinks.

When Reuben’s family encounters Zora Bennett and her team of mercenaries, Teresa primarily assumes an oppositional stance towards Martin Klebs. At the same time, Reuben’s character development revolves around discovering the worth and admiration for Xavier. The father-daughter duo receives minimal screen presence or dialogue in the story, a possible outcome of the numerous characters David Koepp’s script handles as the plot unfolds on Ile Saint-Hubert. However, it feels odd that there is such a strong focus on the strained relationship between Reuben and Teresa, only for this aspect to be overlooked once dinosaurs become prevalent in the scenes.

Wait, how famous is Alan Grant?

During a peaceful interval in “Rebirth,” detective Duncan Kincaid starts delving into Dr. Henry Loomis’s past, focusing particularly on the origin of his fascination with dinosaurs. Loomis then shares his professional and academic milestones, emphasizing that he once worked under the famous paleontologist Dr. Alan Grant from “Jurassic Park,” highlighting his immense enthusiasm for all things related to dinosaurs.

In this current installment, “Rebirth,” there seems to be a link established with its predecessors, yet it raises perplexing queries about Grant’s reputation within the fictional Jurassic universe. Despite Loomis referring to him like a rock star, Grant has typically been portrayed as an ordinary figure in previous “Jurassic Park” narratives without a significant fanbase. In “Jurassic Park III,” people flocked to his shabby public speaking events more to ask about the incidents of “Jurassic Park” and “The Lost World” than out of personal interest in him. Contrary to expectation, “Jurassic World Dominion” doesn’t suggest that Grant has become a household name.

In the context of “Jurassic Park,” Loomis’s mention of Grant feels out of place and inconsistent, as if it were inserted merely to stir excitement among viewers who are familiar with the original film. Yet, this nostalgic reference only serves to heighten my frustration since it seems more aimed at generating buzz than establishing a self-contained narrative that feels genuine.

Dolores and her improbable tracking skills

It is not accurate to portray all dinosaurs as man-eating monsters stalking people through corridors. To illustrate this, consider Dolores, the baby Triceratops that Reuben’s youngest daughter, Isabella (Audrina Miranda), decides to care for. This cute and cuddly creature serves as inspiration for an abundance of plush toys, making it all the more endearing. What adds to its charm is that Dolores’s rough behaviors sometimes remind us of a pug or a wild child, rather than something excessively saccharine.

One issue with Dolores is her seemingly magical ability to move instantly to wherever the story requires her to be. In a perilous moment when Reuben and his kin are attempting to escape a T-Rex on a raft, Isabella, sensing the imminent danger, releases Dolores. However, when Mutadons ensnare these individuals within a convenience store, to Isabella’s delight, Dolores reappears unexpectedly.

The comeback of Dolores isn’t marked by an extravagant scene, triumphant music, or a thrilling fight where the baby dinosaur defeats a larger adversary. Instead, the scene transitions abruptly to a medium shot of Dolores, suggesting she has reconnected with her adoptive owner. It’s hard to believe that such a small dinosaur with clearly short legs could have crossed so much of the island in such a short time. This moment seems oddly convenient and doesn’t significantly enhance the climax, serving only to provide Isabella something to cling to when she becomes particularly frightened. Perhaps there is some unexplored aspect of InGen’s genetic manipulations that allows Dolores to mysteriously appear wherever “Jurassic World Rebirth” requires her to be.

Why does LeClerc bang on those rocks?

During the climactic dinosaur DNA retrieval mission, secondary character Bechir Sylvain Leclerc meets a tragic demise. This mission involves gathering Quetzalcoatlus DNA from an egg, with the mother of these unborn flying dinosaurs unfortunately consuming Leclerc shortly afterward. In a puzzling turn of events, this mercenary finds himself hanging outside while Zora and Dr. Loomis are inside a cave drawing blood from an egg. Meanwhile, Leclerc is captivated by the vast canyon around him, causing him to strike rocks with one of his tools, producing an unexpectedly loud sound that reverberates extensively.

As I chuckle to myself, ears-to-ears grin plastered on my face, I continue to crack these boulders apart, immersed in a mission that demands stealth and dodging the relentless gaze of colossal, fully-grown dinosaurs. Yet, it seems those noises I’m making have piqued the interest of a monstrous Quetzalcoatlus, jeopardizing Zora and Dr. Loomis.

Amidst this precarious situation, it’s hard not to recall that my impulsive, playful actions set this entire chain of events in motion.

The lack of intelligence shown by the character is inconsistent and unengaging, as it seems forced for creating tension. On-screen, Leclerc’s actions appear dimwitted, and it feels like a stretch to connect them to the Quetzalcoatlus scene where humans face off against this creature. It’s no surprise that Leclerc, with his obsession over echoes, ultimately meets his demise in this beast’s grasp.

Everything about the D-Rex’s design

In a different wording: The designs for the mutant dinosaurs in “Jurassic World” didn’t showcase much creativity, but a few of them had some rationality within the storyline based on their intended roles. For instance, the Indominus Rex, a blend of T-Rex and Velociraptor, was an appealing mix for Jurassic World theme park visitors because it combined two well-known dinosaurs. On the other hand, the Indoraptor from “Fallen Kingdom” was a perfect example of a deadly weapon that could potentially attract black market traders and leaders in the military-industrial complex due to its lethal capabilities.

In “Jurassic World Rebirth,” the D-Rex left me utterly astonished by its design, especially considering it was intended to captivate visitors. Frankly, this creature doesn’t resemble any of the dinosaurs I adore and seems downright off-putting. It appears that the D-Rex is more suited for an intense third act showdown in a blockbuster film rather than as a malfunctioning attraction at Jurassic World.

If the design of the D-Rex were more aesthetically pleasing, it would be much easier to overlook its logical errors. However, this creature, despite its formidability, lacks appeal due to its drab color scheme and overly familiar design reminiscent of other well-known movie monsters. The addition of human-like arms with elbows also seems misplaced and doesn’t fit the creature’s image at all. With such an unappealing appearance, it’s hard not to wonder what on Earth InGen intended to do with this oversized, unattractive beast.

How on Earth does Duncan survive?

In the thrilling final scenes of “Jurassic World Rebirth,” character Duncan Kincaid takes a daring action. Instead of joining others on a life raft escaping the island, Duncan strategically uses a flare to lure the D-Rex away. This selfless act is significant as it echoes Duncan’s ongoing grief over his lost son, a tragedy he deeply regrets his part in. By saving the lives of four individuals (including Zora, Reuben, and Dr. Loomis), Duncan finds a way to honor his son’s memory.

To Zora’s great frustration, Duncan manages to lead the D-Rex away from the raft towards a confined area with no exit options. The audience follows Duncan until the instant when the D-Rex likely attacks him. After that, the characters are out at sea again. From afar, Zora observes as the flare signal extinguishes, signifying that Duncan Kincaid has met his end.

As a gamer putting myself in the shoes of a survivor, let me rephrase that: Instead of being dead and gone, Duncan somehow managed to pop up, completely unscathed, just 30 seconds later. He was waving another flare out in the water, an odd and clumsy spectacle given all the buildup about his demise. It’s confusing because we, as the audience, had been led to believe that Duncan met his end here. And then, to make things even more puzzling, Duncan miraculously survives the D-Rex attack! There’s no way out for him, not a single chance of escape – it’s like watching him get eaten right before our eyes. His sudden resurgence leaves us with an ending that feels incredibly far-fetched and hard to swallow.

2025-07-02 23:33