(EDITOR’S NOTE: View From The Pugh is a journalism project from Chris Pugh. Subscribe to his daily newsletter and podcast, follow him on YouTube and sponsor his work)
For years, George Thomas has approached the Jurassic World series with deep skepticism—and with good reason. Each new entry felt like a shadow of Spielberg’s groundbreaking original, recycling old ideas with less awe and more noise. But Jurassic World: Rebirth offers something slightly different. And in a surprising twist, George gave it a B-minus.
The premise is intriguing: dinosaurs are mysteriously dying north of the equator, decades after being loosed upon the world. Enter a morally dubious pharmaceutical corporation in need of living dino DNA to finalize a new wonder drug. It’s a thin veil of social commentary, sure—but it gives the plot more stakes than just theme park chaos.
Scarlett Johansson, in a rare non-superhero turn, leads a team of mercenaries sent to collect tissue samples. Meanwhile, a family caught in the crossfire gives the film an emotional core. Director Gareth Edwards (Rogue One) keeps the chaos controlled and the action visceral. And screenwriter David Koepp—returning for the first time since The Lost World—brings a touch of familiarity and unexpected nuance.
Yes, there’s still running. And yes, there’s still chomping. But somehow, Rebirth feels a bit more thought out than its predecessors. That sense of awe from 1993? It’s still missing, but there are flickers. And that’s more than we’ve gotten from this franchise in years.
George even compares it favorably to monster-style summer flicks like Kong vs. Godzilla, embracing a bit of B-movie charm without going completely off the rails. The film’s parallel storytelling—tracking both the mercenaries and the displaced family—adds structure, while the action never fully overshadows the narrative.
Add in some star power (hello, Mahershala Ali) and you’ve got a popcorn flick that might actually be worth your time. If nothing else, it gives us hope that the Jurassic universe can evolve.
So, is Rebirth a masterpiece? No. But for once, George didn’t leave the theater rolling his eyes—just limping from a minor fall. And that’s progress!
Comments
Post a Comment