Jurassic World Rebirth roars onto the screen with the kind of dinosaur-fueled chaos that fans of the franchise have come to expect, delivering a visually stunning adventure that’s undeniably fun. Directed by Gareth Edwards, known for his work on Godzilla and Rogue One, this seventh installment in the Jurassic saga attempts to wipe the slate clean after the uneven Jurassic World Dominion. With a new cast led by Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey, the film dives into a standalone story set five years after the events of its predecessor. The premise is simple: a team of mercenaries and scientists ventures to a remote equatorial island to extract DNA from three massive prehistoric creatures for a medical breakthrough. What follows is a thrilling, if familiar, ride that leans heavily on its breathtaking visuals but falters with a lackluster narrative. For me, the film was a blast to watch, yet it left me wanting more bite from its story.
The visual effects in Rebirth are nothing short of spectacular, a testament to Edwards’ knack for crafting large-scale creature features. The dinosaurs—ranging from the aquatic Mosasaurus to the towering Titanosaurus and the airborne Quetzalcoatlus—are rendered with jaw-dropping detail, blending CGI and practical effects to create moments of genuine awe. A standout sequence involves a tense river chase with a T-Rex, where fiery red flares illuminate the night sky, casting an eerie glow over the action. Cinematographer John Mathieson (Gladiator, Logan) elevates these scenes with lush, golden-hour shots and moody jungle vistas that make the island feel alive and dangerous.
The cast is another high point, injecting charisma into a film that needs it. Scarlett Johansson plays Zora Bennett, a hardened covert ops expert with a touch of PTSD, bringing a steely resolve that anchors the team. Jonathan Bailey’s Dr. Henry Loomis, a paleontologist with a geeky charm, steals scenes with his wide-eyed wonder at the dinosaurs.
Where Rebirth stumbles is its story, which feels like a retread of familiar Jurassic tropes. The plot revolves around a pharmaceutical company’s quest for dinosaur DNA to create a miracle drug, a setup that echoes the corporate greed themes of earlier films without adding much new. Screenwriter David Koepp, returning from the original Jurassic Park and The Lost World, crafts a script that’s serviceable but lacks the spark of his earlier work. The narrative leans heavily on recycled beats: a shady corporation, a dangerous island, and predictable character archetypes like the arrogant security guy destined to become dino-chow. It’s a formula that worked in 1993 but feels tired in 2025, especially when the film doesn’t explore its ethical dilemmas—such as the debate over patenting medical advancements—with any depth.
The film’s attempt to differentiate itself with mutant dinosaurs, like the six-legged Distortus rex, is a mixed bag. While these creatures add a fresh layer of menace, their inclusion feels like a desperate bid to keep audiences engaged with “new” attractions. Critics have noted this sense of fatigue, with some calling Rebirth a “requel” that tries to reboot the series while clinging to the original’s blueprint. It’s as if the filmmakers were so preoccupied with whether they could keep the franchise alive that they didn’t stop to think if they should.
Despite its narrative shortcomings, Rebirth delivers on action and suspense, with Edwards proving why he’s a go-to director for monster movies. A sea-bound sequence early in the film, where the team encounters a Mosasaurus, channels the relentless tension of Jaws, complete with a shadowy silhouette breaching the surface. Another highlight is a jungle chase that adapts a thrilling moment from Michael Crichton’s original novel, with characters dodging a T-Rex in a heart-pounding sprint. These set pieces are where the film shines, capturing the primal fear and excitement that made the first Jurassic Park a classic.
For longtime fans, Rebirth offers enough nostalgia to satisfy, with visual callbacks to the original—red flares, slow-motion dinosaur reveals, and even a nod to the kitchen scene from Jurassic Park. Ultimately, Jurassic World Rebirth is a fun, visually dazzling entry that recaptures some of the primal thrills of the Jurassic franchise but falls short of greatness due to its basic, recycled storyline. Edwards’ direction and the stellar cast keep it entertaining, but the film feels like a safe bet rather than a daring evolution. For fans like me who revel in the spectacle, it’s a wild ride worth taking—just don’t expect it to leave a lasting imprint.
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