Jurassic World: Rebirth - Film Review

Jurassic World: Rebirth is a visually stunning film that manages to feel fresh while honouring the legacy of the franchise. Directed by Gareth Edwards, this latest instalment in the dinosaur saga is a self-contained adventure, not tied directly to the previous trilogy, and that decision pays off. The story is clear, well-paced, and distinct, giving audiences a new lens through which to view their favourite prehistoric predators.

When it is discovered that prehistoric genetics may hold the key to curing certain cardiovascular diseases in humans, a high-stakes mission is launched to a remote island where dinosaurs roam free. A team are tasked with retrieving a blood sample to create a life-saving cure. But as tensions rise, alliances fracture, and the island’s ecosystem spirals out of control, the team must fight to survive not only the creatures stalking them, but also the consequences of playing god with ancient DNA.

There’s no denying the entertainment value here. The CGI is exceptional, the dinosaurs feel visceral and dangerous, with over 1,500 VFX shots making this the most visually ambitious Jurassic film to date. Action sequences are sharply staged and often exhilarating, and Edwards brings a level of visual confidence that gives the film a grounded yet cinematic quality. From jungle chases to underground labs, it’s a feast for the eyes that delivers the kind of blockbuster spectacle fans crave.

Where Rebirth excels visually, though, it struggles emotionally. The dialogue is loaded with exposition, often spoon-feeding the audience information we could easily grasp ourselves. Rather than trusting the viewer to keep up, the film re-explains plot points and details so often that it begins to feel condescending. It’s a shame, with a script that showed a little more restraint, the story might have felt more organic.

Adding to that frustration is the underuse of its two marquee stars. Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, both proven powerhouses, are given little room to develop their characters beyond plot function. Johansson plays Zora Bennett with confidence and cool control, and Bailey’s Dr Henry Loomis is charming and observant, but neither role allows them to explore the emotional range we know they’re capable of. In this case, it feels like the intellectual property has overshadowed the actors. The dinosaurs are the main event, and the humans are just along for the ride.

That’s not to say there aren’t moments of character brilliance. Bailey has one particularly memorable scene watching two dinosaurs mate, where his awe and fascination add a layer of humanity the film sorely needs. Likewise, Johansson’s brief flashes of emotional depth in the face of a deceased partner hint at a more layered character beneath the surface. But these moments are fleeting, and the overall impact is muted.

One of the film’s more consistent irritations is the decision-making by its characters. Despite being framed as the crème de la crème of their fields, the team often makes bafflingly stupid choices. A sequence where several characters fall into the same hidden pit one after another, despite watching it happen right in front of them, borders on farce. These moments aren’t just frustrating; they pull you out of the world and reduce the tension, which would be fine if this scene were funny.

Still, there’s something undeniably fun about Rebirth. It’s a film that knows its strengths — dinosaurs, spectacle, and nostalgia — and plays to them with enthusiasm. The use of John Williams’s iconic theme is timed just right, and there are enough visual nods to the original Jurassic Park to satisfy long-time fans. Edwards may not break new ground thematically, but he delivers a solid and exciting ride that’s sure to please casual audiences.

In the end, Jurassic World: Rebirth doesn’t reinvent the franchise, but it does give it a jolt of adrenaline. It’s missing the emotional weight and sharp character work that could have pushed it into greatness, but for a summer blockbuster, it ticks many of the right boxes. If you’re willing to overlook the dialogue and character missteps, you’ll find a fun, fast-paced dino-adventure that proves there’s still life in this ancient franchise.