By: Lana K. Wilson-Combs
Never underestimate the power of nostalgia. It goes a long way especially with a movie like
"Jurassic World: Dominion" which does a good job at meshing all the feel good and fun memories of the previous films.
"Jurassic World: Dominion," from director Colin Trevorrow ("Jurassic World") is the sequel to 2018's "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom," the sixth installment in the "Jurassic Park" franchise, the final film in the "Jurassic World" trilogy, and the finale from the original "Jurassic Park."
This weekend's box office will truly determine the fate of this "dino-mite" franchise. It is still all about the dinosaurs. They have always been the real stars and are even more so in this sequel to 2018's "Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom."
This time around, they are bigger, badder and scarier. There are even more of them including a frightening Therizinosaurus that kids will surely love.
Best of all, the gang is all back. Chris Pratt, ("Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3), Laura Dern, (TV's "F is for Family"), Sam Neill, ("Thor: Love and Thunder"), Bryce Dallas Howard, ("Rocketman"), Isabella Sermon, ("Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom"), and Jeff Goldblum (TV's "Dark Dice") are up to the task of once again having to save the planet.
Four years have passed since Isla Nublar was destroyed. Now dinosaurs roam freely among us. What could possibly go wrong with that scenario?
Apparently, there is a new species that is wreaking havoc throughout the world and enjoys chomping down on humans.
Meanwhile ethologist, Owen Grady (Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) have been keeping a low profile and raising a cloned teen named Maisie (Sermon). When she is kidnapped by dinosaur poachers, Owen, and Claire spring into action.
Their paths cross with Ellie Sattler (Dern ) and paleontologist Alan Grant (Neill) who have joined forces to find out about a rash of genetically modified locusts. Turns out that Dr. Lewis Dodgson, (Campbell Scott, TV's "Billions"), who is the CEO of Biosyn Genetics has everyone fooled and believing he has their best interests at heart.
Now, Owen, Claire and the rest of the heroic crew must find a way to stop Dr. Dodgson and his team that includes Dr. Wu (BD Wong, "Secrets of the Mogwai" ).
It's kind of a silly plot, but "Jurassic World: Dominion" surprisingly works. I also liked the addition of DeWanda Wise, (TV's "Three Women") who plays a feisty former Air Force pilot that helps Owen and Claire, and Mamoudou Athie ("The Burial" and "Black Box") who is the savvy communications leader of Biosyn.
"Jurassic World: Dominion" is most exciting when the dinosaurs go all beast mode. Two of the film's best scenes are when Pratt is on his motorcycle and chased by a couple of the creatures and when Bryce Dallas Howard is underwater trying to keep from getting eaten by one of the massive beasts.
The second half of the movie really kicks into high gear. Despite its nearly 2 1/2 hours runtime, "Jurassic World: Dominion" delivers the thrills and doesn't overstay its welcome.
Editor's Note: Be sure to catch my N2Entertainment.net movie talk segment on the Kitty O'Neal Show Fridays at 6:20 p.m. on radio station KFBK 93.1 FM and 1530 AM.
Watch This Trailer For
"JURASSIC WORLD: DOMINION"
Lana K. Wilson-Combs is a member of the Broadcast Film Critics Association (BFCA), The American Film Institute (AFI), and a Nominating Committee Voting Member for the NAACP Image Awards.
