Jurassic World: Rebirth — A Nostalgic Roar with a Few Muffled Notes

Jurassic World: Rebirth arrived in theaters with the weight of a massive legacy on its back. Directed by Gareth Edwards and penned by David Koepp (returning from the original Jurassic Park), the film positions itself not just as another installment in the dinosaur saga, but as a spiritual reboot — five years after Dominion and over three decades since Spielberg first introduced us to Isla Nublar.

With a cast headlined by Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali, the film had all the ingredients for a summer blockbuster: star power, massive creatures, stunning landscapes, and a familiar premise reimagined with modern spectacle. The question is — did it deliver?

The Plot: A Heist Wrapped in Dinosaur Skin

Unlike previous entries focused on theme parks or global dinosaur chaos, Rebirth takes a slightly fresh approach: it’s essentially a heist movie with a prehistoric twist. A biotech giant, ParkerGenix, hires a specialist team to collect blood samples from three dangerous dinosaur species. The reason? To engineer a cure for heart disease using ancient DNA.

This mission includes Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), a cold and calculated extraction expert; Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), a paleontologist with more passion than experience; and Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali), a grizzled mercenary. As the team journeys to remote dino-infested islands, things take an unexpected turn with the appearance of a lost family who complicates the mission.

It’s classic Jurassic chaos — a blend of science, survival, and large teeth.

Visually Stunning, Emotionally Mixed

Where Rebirth truly excels is in its visuals. The scale of the dinosaurs feels grand again. You can sense the awe in every aerial shot of a Titanosaurus or the breathtaking tension in a nighttime river sequence involving a very hungry T-Rex. Gareth Edwards brings back the sense of size, silence, and suspense that made the original Jurassic Park iconic.

One of the film’s most talked-about scenes involves two Titanosaurs interacting at dusk near a waterfall — a surprisingly intimate and moving moment that shows the movie has heart beneath the chaos.

Unfortunately, those emotional highs don’t come often enough.

Characters That Don’t Fully Connect

Despite its impressive cast, Rebirth struggles to deliver meaningful character depth. Scarlett Johansson brings a cool, mission-first demeanor to Zora, but her character often feels distant — more function than feeling. Jonathan Bailey’s Henry, while charming and visually memorable with his now-iconic "slutty little glasses," feels underused beyond the occasional scientific monologue.

Mahershala Ali has his moments, grounding the group with gravitas, but even he can’t fully elevate some of the stilted dialogue and surface-level arcs. The addition of a stranded family is clearly designed to add emotional stakes, but their involvement often feels more like a plot device than a natural part of the story.

A Reset That Divides Fans

One of the more controversial aspects of Rebirth is its decision to largely undo the global dinosaur spread shown at the end of Dominion. Instead, the film claims that most dinosaurs have died off due to climate factors, and only a few genetically engineered survivors remain on protected islands. For longtime fans, this feels like a narrative retreat.

Rather than pushing the story forward into a true world-with-dinosaurs concept, Rebirth reels it back into familiar territory: isolated expeditions, corporate greed, and nature biting back. It works from a thematic standpoint — but it also feels a bit safe, especially after how far the last two films tried to push the envelope.

The Nostalgia Effect

Rebirth doesn’t hide its love for the original. From its musical cues to visual callbacks and character archetypes, the film leans heavily into nostalgia. Some moments hit hard — especially in the way the dinosaurs are framed, with awe and tension instead of just spectacle.

However, the overuse of fan-service moments risks making parts of the film feel like a greatest-hits remix. For newcomers, it might feel fresh. For returning fans, it toes the line between homage and rehash.

Soundtrack and Score

Alexandre Desplat delivers a competent score that adds depth to the action and emotion. While there are moments that echo John Williams’ original themes, most of the new material doesn’t quite stick in the mind. It’s functional and well-composed, but it won’t have people humming its motifs the way the original trilogy did.

The Good and the Not-So-Great

What Worked:

• Dino Action at Its Best: The film nails large-scale dinosaur sequences. Whether it’s the aerial battle with a Quetzalcoatlus or a cliffside ambush involving a pack of Raptors, the set pieces are thrilling and cinematic.
• Emotional Surprises: There are a few moments — especially those involving the creatures — that land emotionally, showing the film’s heart.
• Standalone Story: You don’t need to have seen every previous film to follow this one. It welcomes both fans and newcomers alike.

What Fell Short:

• Shallow Character Arcs: The main trio lacks the kind of development needed to truly invest in them.
• Narrative Regression: Resetting the dinosaur-filled world back to an isolated island setup feels like a missed opportunity.
• Overloaded with Nostalgia: Some callbacks feel more obligatory than organic.
• Corporate Tie-Ins: The amount of product placement is a bit distracting, and it occasionally breaks immersion.

Final Thoughts

Jurassic World: Rebirth is far from perfect, but it’s the most enjoyable Jurassic installment in years. It’s clear the filmmakers tried to honor the original spirit of the franchise — wonder, danger, and dinosaurs — and for the most part, they succeed. While the film doesn’t reinvent the wheel, it tightens it. It trims the unnecessary complexity of Dominion and focuses on a clear, accessible story filled with tension and spectacle.

The visuals are top-tier, and the dinosaur sequences finally feel threatening and awe-inspiring again. That alone is worth the price of admission.

Final Verdict:

• Dino Action: Spectacular and thrilling
• Character Depth: Lacking, despite strong casting
• Story Progression: A step backward, but simplified
• Visuals: Some of the best in the franchise
• Music: Effective but not unforgettable
• Rewatch Value: Moderate — mainly for dino lovers

Should You Watch It?

If you're a fan of dinosaurs, summer blockbusters, or simply in the mood for big-screen fun, then yes — Rebirth is worth your time. It brings back the sense of scale and excitement that made us fall in love with the franchise in the first place. Just don’t expect deep characters or groundbreaking storytelling.

This is a film that knows what it is — and what it isn’t. It’s not trying to change the genre. It’s trying to deliver a fun, gripping, and occasionally heartfelt adventure.

On that front, Jurassic World: Rebirth is a roaring success.