Movie review: Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom

After tragic volcanic eruption, dinosaurs still remain, need rescuing from home island

MORGAN LESTER, Evergreen columnist

Do you know those movies that are best described as “Well, it’s an [insert franchise here] movie?” In other words, it’s a little absurd. “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” is one of those movies.

While the action sequences are fun to watch and have tension, and the movie has better character development than the last one, “Fallen Kingdom” has failed at doing the impossible: topping its original predecessor “Jurassic Park.”

For those unfamiliar with this recent addition to the “Jurassic Park” saga, Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard return as Owen and Claire, both of whom have been employed by a mysterious tycoon to save the dinosaurs, which were left behind on Isla Nublar.

The dinosaurs are under threat by the sudden return of an active volcano on the island. It’s inevitable that plans go awry, and Claire and Owen find themselves thrust into a deeper and more dangerous mystery than they expected.

There is always something fun about revisiting franchises like this because of its nostalgic factor. At the same time, there is also something annoying about watching a franchise get dragged out for nothing other than money. Fortunately, with this movie, it is more the former than the latter, which is a rarity when it comes to reboots and sequels such as “Fallen Kingdom.”

“It was a unique movie to me,” said Madison Arpin, director of films for the Student Entertainment Board. “It had the sci-fi component, and historical pieces, and family dynamics and such … it’s just a fun movie.”

With some of the high-flying action sequences and volcano eruptions, you can see she’s not wrong. However, there are also some more poignant moments as well, like when Pratt’s character Owen attempts to reconnect with his raptor Blue.

The action in the movie is also balanced alongside some comedy, such as when the characters interact with one another. Additionally, it deals with dinosaurs in action-filled and quieter moments, something Arpin said made it better than the previous film.

“[Fallen Kingdom] was more exciting,” said Arpin. “It had a deeper connection between characters. I felt they developed them better in the movie.”

Arpin said it was these things that made her and others involved in the selection of the movies shown in the CUB pick this movie.

“The three of us who discussed the film schedule over the summer, we all really enjoyed the ‘Jurassic Park’ franchise,” Arpin said. “So it’s about keeping up with something that we know people really enjoy.”

If you are looking for a night of fun without too much mind-screwing havoc, then this is your movie. “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom,” as campy and ridiculous as it can be and will provide a fun watch for those looking to de-stress at the end of the week and throughout the weekend.

For those who wish to escape for two hours, the film is showing at 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Sunday in the CUB. The movie is free for all students, $2 for guests and there is free popcorn while it lasts. Go have fun, and relax — you will need it heading into midterms.