JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH Universal Home Entertainment Blu-Ray Review: Humans, Dinosaurs, More Humans, More Dinosaurs, Oh My!

“I don’t wanna hear the ‘man wasn’t meant to meddle’ medley…”

Tony Stark’s quote here, as heard in Marvel’s The Avengers: Age Of Ultron is perhaps the best summary of the studio mindset behind creating any story that involves humans in otherworldly and sacrosanct affairs. Invariably, Universal’s Jurassic franchise has benefitted hugely from this approach ever since author Michael Chricton woke up one day and began the process of developing a screenplay.

That brings us to the latest treatment from Godzilla and Rogue One: A Star Wars Story director Gareth Edwards with Jurassic World: Rebirth. Actors Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Rupert Friend join the new handful of talents added to the tapestry of human characters who fall on either side of the good/evil spectrum wherever there are dinosaurs and dangerous situations alike.

Returning writer David Koepp, credited with penning the first and second installments, is back on dino duty for his contribution to the saga which, in line with the usual conventions of creature cinema, quickly reminds audiences early in the film’s runtime – by way of “death by candy bar wrapper” – that this film is just as silly as intended. Indeed, the fact that most of the characters who end up as cannon fodder in the latest overextension of this studio cash cow have no sense of situational awareness is about as laughable as it is shameless in its construction.

But, and again, that level of PG-thirteenized violence and gratuity can be expected in such a film, whose cast line-up otherwise brings some much-needed veracity into frame. Jurassic World: Rebirth sets the viewer in the present year where dinosaurs and all relative de-extincted prehistoric species are relegated to territories along the equator where the climate is more liveable. As a result, humans are barred from travel to these areas, but heaven forbid a money-hungry big pharma exec takes note of this caveat.

That brings us to Krebs (Friend), one such figure vying for some scientific advancement in life-saving treatment with the help of Bennett (Johansson), a hard-as-nails ex-military covert operative who’s as sure of her shit as any of the franchise protagonists thusfar. After roping in a paleontologist named Loomis (Bailey), along with a small band of Bennett’s own mutuals, including Kincaid (Ali), and Atwater (Skrein), the troupe embark on a mission to Île Saint-Hubert to collect samples from the largest beasts in the region.

It’s after this point in the story when things begin escalting violently, as Kincaid and his team turns his boat around to help rescue Delgado (Garcia-Rulfo), a man left shipwrecked with his two daughters and another passenger after being attacked by a sea creature. Soon, more creatures begin to show up causing more havoc and forcing everyone to run for their lives, although its not long before the film makes it clear that the surrounding dinosaurs that now pose a danger to them aren’t the only threat to their survival.

Edward’s latest addition to Universal’s Jurassic franchise doesn’t really bring anything new to the table except for more new characters. It operates on a story formula familiar enough for today’s crop of Hollywood producers to navigate while plating the usual palpable action and spectacle. Assortments of chase sequences and conspiracy and intrigue give way to a thriller that makes the movie otherwise watchable if not typically brain-relaxant fun.

Johansson’s action star veracity is on full display to match Bailey’s pseudo-charismatic science nerd with an itch for danger, juxtaposed to Ali’s warm presence and increasingly stoic demeanor as the bodycount rises. Garcia-Rulfo delivers gumption and grit as the father fighting to protect his children, Isabella and Teresa, played respectively by Audrina Miranda and Luna Blaise.

Actor David Iacono brings respite humor to the role of Teresa’s boyfriend, Xavier, whose otherwise contemptible traits are briskly remedied by acts of bravery and true character. As far as non-human friendlies go, our flowers go to Isabella’s newfound pet baby Aquilops she names “Dolores” amidst the anarchy… (cue Stark quote).

Beyond these and other nitpick measures of critique I could try and iterate, you get your fair share of creature and dinosaur thrills and kills and plenty of popcorn entertainment to carry you over for the film’s duration. Coupled with full-circle moments to connect with its prologue and you get a full-scale survival blockbuster that performs well enough to warrant feasible approval, even if the franchise is kind of just jumping the Mosasaurus as it has been.

Jurassic World: Rebirth is now available on Digital from Universal Pictures Home Entertainment, but the label is keen to your interests if physical media is still your thing. The movie is arriving on Tuesday on 4K UHD, Blu-Ray and DVD; My review is attributed to the Blu-Ray release, which is host to a raft of extras, including two commentary tracks both featuring Edwards in two groups: one with production designer James Clyne and first assistant director Jack Ravenscroft, and the other joining Edwards with editor Jabez Olssen, and VFX supervisor David Vickery.

Due to time constraints, I did not listen to the commentaries, although I did take in some of the extras, including the alternate opening sequence, a few deleted scenes with unfinished VFX that add to the scope of ideas in the works during production, and a Gag Reel. The featurettes available on the disc include the following:

• JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH: HATCHING A NEW ERA
THE WORLD EVOLVES – Journey into a reimagined Jurassic World with Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Mahershala Ali and the rest of the cast and filmmakers.

• OFF THE DEEP END – Dive into the thrilling ocean sequence and learn about the challenges of shooting on open water, the one-of-a-kind gimbal used to toss around the Essex and Mariposa, and the VFX wizardry that brought the Mosasaurus and Spinosaurs to life.

• TREKKING THROUGH THAILAND – Follow the cast and crew’s footsteps as they navigate the challenges of shooting in exotic jungles, beaches, and tall grass fields that become home to the Titanosaurs.

• REX IN THE RAPIDS – Brace for a T. rex encounter that’s different than anything experienced before with a nail-biting river chase recreated from Michael Crichton’s original Jurassic Park novel.

• DON’T LOOK DOWN – Soar into the Quetzalcoatlus sequence with Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Bechir Sylvain as they train for and shoot their cliff rappelling scenes.

• MINI-MART MAYHEM – Go inside the heart-stopping third act of Jurassic World Rebirth and witness the process of crafting sets that allow the movie’s mutant dinosaurs to step out of nightmare-inspired designs and stop on an exhilarating rampage.

• MEET DOLORES – Meet the animatronic Aquilops with an extraordinarily lifelike personality.

• MUNCHED: BECOMING DINO FOOD – Get a victim’s firsthand view inside the frightening jaws of deadly dinosaurs that munch, chomp, and chew their way into creating unforgettable death sequences.

• A DAY AT SKYWALKER SOUND – Actress Audrina Miranda guides a personal tour of Skywalker Sound in California to meet the audio editors, foley artists, and mixers who design the movie’s wide array of sounds.

• HUNTING FOR EASTER EGGS – Find out where to look for cleverly hidden Easter eggs that pay homage to everything from the first Jurassic Park film to other Steven Spielberg classics.