The Wasteland Reviewer

Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025) Written Review

Did we really need another entry in the Jurassic Park/World franchise? The first three films focused on Dr Grant and Dr. Malcolm. Then We followed Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard around for three films with mutated dinosaurs, human clones, and locusts. After Jurassic World: Dominion, many might have thought that things were coming to an end. But with the announcement of Jurassic World: Rebirth, audiences found out that we would be hanging out with dinosaurs at least one more time. Set five years after the events of Dominion, dinosaurs are struggling to survive and have mostly been relegated to the Equator. This sets the stage for a new adventure on a dinosaur-filled island with a scientist, a professional extractor for hire, a captain and his crew, a pharmaceutical executive, and a Latino family fighting for their lives. 

Does Gareth Edwards deliver with the reins of this epic franchise? Edwards’ films have a great reputation for their visual effects, sense of scale, and excellent direction. There is no disappointment in that sense with Rebirth as this is an expertly directed film. The visual effects of these dinosaurs are quite impressive as they come to life on screen. There isn’t the same tangible feeling as Jurassic Park but the CGI in this film is as believable as you are going to get in 2025. There are some great moments as well that capture just the grand scale of this film. There is a scene that is an obvious homage to Jurassic Park (to the point where they used John Williams score during this sequence) that can deliver a sense of awe looking at the largest of dinosaurs. Edwards also does a great job of building tension and fear. Sure, there are some moments where we feel the wonder of seeing dinosaurs but in general, Rebirth is an experience of fear in relation to these giant creatures. The opening scene feels ripped out of a horror film (not unlike the early Spielberg entries of this franchise). There are plenty of thrilling moments that will put you on the edge of your seat. 

Does the screenplay by David Koepp (writer of the original Jurassic Park) deliver this time around? The satisfaction for this film’s script comes with a lot of context. Rebirth feels more like Jurassic Park than Jurassic World for sure. The Jurassic World films were filled with silly humor and ridiculous things like velociraptors riding T-rexes into battle with genetically engineered super dinosaurs. Rebirth feels more ground and serious with its humor feeling more character based. Unfortunately, Koepp does borrow a lot from his own script for Jurassic Park which makes the film feel less original and fresh. This film also doesn’t quite capture the same kind of heart and soul that Jurassic Park had. This is still an engaging and entertaining film for sure, but it is just injected with plenty of cliches and expected moments for sure. The biggest struggle of the film is balancing two separate groups of people stuck on this island. The film never dedicates enough screen time to expand on these characters and makes them truly come to life. There is enough here for you to care about most of these characters on a human level but not much more than that. The film sets up the story of a scientist, hired gun, boat captain, and executive (with some bland and clunky dialogue at that) from the beginning of the film and makes you think this film is about them. But then it takes focus away with a father, his two daughters, and one of their boyfriends. The film would have benefited from focusing on one storyline or the other. 

Does the cast elevate the film at least? You have some big-name actors in this film, and they do their best to make the most of their characters who don’t have too much depth. Jonathan Bailey (hot off his standout performance in Wicked) is a nice standout here with manic charm, intelligence, and generally affable demeanor (even if his accent sounds a tad too artificial). Scarlett Johansson is endlessly charismatic and makes the most of her clunky dialogue as well as her one-liners. She also gets a few moments to shine from an emotional perspective as she struggles with the morality of this situation and the loss of her comrades. Mahershala Ali is the most naturalistic performance in the film (which should be no surprise to anyone) and his natural charisma and presence make him one of the most empathetic characters in the film. Rupert Friend is pitch perfect as the cold, heartless, selfish, and dangerous executive who values money above all human life. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo is the patriarch of this family also stuck on the island, and he delivers the right amount of dad-energy to make him believable and empathetic. Luna Blaise and David Iacono do fine jobs as well as this young couple with opposite personalities (with Iacono’s stoner character offering some comic relief). Audrina Miranda is adorable as the young girl who makes a dinosaur friend along the way. The cast is rock solid with a few standouts for sure. 

Does Rebirth offer up a worthwhile addition in this storied franchise? At this rate, it is improbable that any film in this franchise will reach the heights of the original Jurassic Park. The last string of Jurassic World films were big dumb movies with too many ridiculous elements that diverted this franchise from what made the original so great. Rebirth does dabble in wild mutations with a giant Rancor-penis-dinosaur that has about 10 minutes of screentime (if that) but it mostly sticks to a more grounded, thriller type approach to its storytelling. Koepp’s script might borrow a lot and lean into cliché too often, but it still delivers the foundation for Edwards to craft a big blockbuster spectacle with its own merit. A game cast does their best to make this film engaging and worth a trip to the theater.