Jurassic World Dominion: A Roaring Return and Uneven Conclusion

Jurassic World Dominion promised a thrilling culmination of the Jurassic saga, bringing together legacy characters from the original Jurassic Park with the stars of the Jurassic World trilogy. While it delivered on nostalgic callbacks and spectacular dinosaur action, the film ultimately falls short of its ambitions, struggling with a bloated plot and underdeveloped character arcs.

The premise is compelling: dinosaurs have escaped into the world, coexisting (and often clashing) with humans. This “dino-topia” opens up exciting possibilities for visual storytelling, and the film capitalizes on this with impressive scenes of dinosaurs roaming free, attacking cities, and disrupting ecosystems. The visual effects are undeniably stunning, showcasing a variety of dinosaurs with remarkable realism. From the towering Giganotosaurus to the feathered Pyroraptor, the film offers a diverse menagerie of prehistoric creatures.

The reunion of Alan Grant (Sam Neill), Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), and Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) is a major draw. Their presence evokes a strong sense of nostalgia, and their interactions, while somewhat forced at times, provide moments of genuine charm and wit. They investigate a genetically modified locust plague threatening the world’s food supply, leading them to the Biosyn Genetics sanctuary in the Italian Dolomites.

Meanwhile, Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) are grappling with their adopted daughter, Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon), whose unique genetic makeup makes her a target. Their storyline, initially compelling, feels somewhat sidelined as the film progresses, losing focus amidst the competing plot threads. The film attempts to weave these narratives together, but the connection feels tenuous, resulting in a disjointed viewing experience.

One of the film’s significant weaknesses is its overreliance on spectacle over substance. The action sequences, while visually impressive, become repetitive and lack genuine stakes. The plot, convoluted with corporate conspiracies and genetically engineered threats, feels overcrowded and underdeveloped. Many characters feel underdeveloped, their motivations unclear and their contributions minimal.

Furthermore, the ethical questions that were central to the earlier films—the dangers of playing God and the consequences of unchecked scientific ambition—are largely glossed over. While Biosyn presents a clear villain, the film’s exploration of these themes lacks the depth and nuance that made the original Jurassic Park so thought-provoking.

Jurassic World Dominion offers moments of thrilling dinosaur action and a welcome dose of nostalgia. However, its bloated plot, underdeveloped characters, and superficial exploration of its core themes ultimately prevent it from reaching its full potential. While it serves as a spectacle-driven conclusion to the Jurassic saga, it leaves a sense of missed opportunity, failing to deliver a truly satisfying and meaningful finale.