Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025) is the seventh film in the Jurassic Park franchise. Directed by Gareth Edwards and written by original creator David Koepp, the movie attempts to bring back the thrill of the original while introducing new characters, creatures, and themes.
Story and Premise
Set five years after the events of Dominion, dinosaurs have mostly disappeared from the world, driven out by changing climate and public indifference. Only a small population survives on equatorial islands. A pharmaceutical executive, Martin Krebs (Rupert Friend), organizes a mission to retrieve blood samples from three rare dinosaurs—land, sea, and air species—to develop a heart disease cure.
Nicole* mercenary Zora Bennett (Scarlett Johansson), paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis (Jonathan Bailey), and former soldier Duncan Kincaid (Mahershala Ali) lead the mission to a remote island once used by InGen. Alongside them, a civilian family becomes entwined in their dangerous quest.
Visuals and Creature Design
The visual effects are stunning. Dinosaurs like Titanosaurus, Mosasaurus, and Distortus rex, a terrifying six-limbed mutated T-Rex, look detailed and real. Edwards provides scenes with scale and suspense—from a Mosasaurus sea chase to a T-Rex ambush along rapids—evoking the same awe once stirred by Spielberg’s original.Reddit+11The Australian+11Reddit+11Looper+3The Pop Culture Reviewer+3The Australian+3Time Out Worldwide+7Empire+7The Pop Culture Reviewer+7
Some fans appreciate the updated look; dinosaur colors are richer, and their behavior feels more muscular and menacing. However, the hybrid creatures receive mixed reactions; some critics call their appearance clumsy or over-designed, especially the Distortus rex.RedditDen of GeekMedium
Characters and Performances
Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, and Jonathan Bailey deliver strong performances. They bring charisma and seriousness to a script that often struggles to give them depth. Unfortunately, many characters—including a civilian family subplot—feel underwritten, and several predictable dialogue-heavy scenes slow the pacing.The Pop Culture ReviewerTechRadarEmpire
Johansson plays a trained operative, but her character mostly glares and gives orders, making her emotional arc weak. Bailey’s paleontologist is earnest, if a bit one-note, and Ali’s character is compelling but sidelined. Side characters like the daughter’s boyfriend provide occasional light relief, but overall, the script underuses an otherwise talented cast.Roger Ebert+4The Pop Culture Reviewer+4Houston Chronicle+4
Action and Pacing
The strength of Rebirth lies in its action sequences. The movie delivers chase scenes, tense ambushes, and special-effects showcase moments reminiscent of classic Jurassic thrills. One standout is the raft chase down rapids while being hunted by a Tyrannosaurus. Another tense scene unfolds at a giant cliffside nest.Reddit+15Empire+15Roger Ebert+15
But the pacing is inconsistent. Long stretches of exposition, slow character development, and weak subplots make the film feel bloated. Den of Geek called the storytelling clumsy, noting that hybrid monsters like the Distortus rex look more awkward than menacing.Den of Geek+2GQ+2
Themes and Tone
Unlike the glossy thriller approach of Dominion, Rebirth leans into darker, more thoughtful territory. It explores themes like corporate greed, the commodification of nature, and the ethics of exploiting dinosaur DNA for human gains. The idea of a forgotten dinosaur world as a vestige of scientific hubris resurfaces through visual metaphor—like a billboard erasing dinosaur images in New York.EmpireRoger EbertThe Week
Yet these themes don’t fully register due to the thin script and focus on visual spectacle over substance. The film makes a statement about capitalism being the real monster—but the message is delivered in passing amid booming soundtrack cues and CGI set pieces.Roger EbertDen of Geek
Critical Reception
Critical reaction to Rebirth is mixed. Rotten Tomatoes reports a 51% critic score and a 71% audience score. CinemaScore gave it a “B”. Many reviewers praised Edwards’ direction and the engaging visuals but criticized the weak script and character development.en.wikipedia.org
Empire Online described it as “a brisk, uneven, mostly enjoyable romp”. It doesn’t innovate much, but it offers enough thrills for a summer crowd.Empire
TechnicalRadar said it’s a step up from the recent trilogy but fails to breathe new life into the franchise. The new cast is praised, but fans of previous characters may feel left out.TechRadar
Some critics, like those at The Week and Houston Chronicle, considered the film formulaic and emotionally shallow, recommending a revisit to the original films instead.The WeekHouston Chronicle
On the positive side, GQ called Rebirth “the first good Jurassic movie in years”, praising its return to classic thrills and careful filmmaking by those who clearly love the franchise.GQ
Pros & Cons Summary
Pros
- Spectacular dinosaur action and set pieces
- Strong direction by Gareth Edwards
- Attractive production design and blockbuster scale
- Novella premise focusing on dinosaur DNA for medicine rather than park-building
Cons
- Weak script with many plot holes and underdeveloped characters
- Pacing issues and unnecessary subplots, such as a civilian family arc
- Overreliance on nostalgia and fan service
- Hybrid creatures often distract rather than inspire
Final Verdict
Is Jurassic World: Rebirth still dinomite? If you want giant dinosaurs, fast action, and summer thrills, yes—it delivers that. But if you expect the emotional resonance and freshness of the original Jurassic Park, you might be left longing.
The film succeeds at keeping the franchise alive while returning to familiar beats. But it fails to evolve its own identity. It’s entertaining and beautifully made, but ultimately shallow. Rebirth is best enjoyed for what it is: a visual spectacle with nostalgic echoes, rather than a bold new chapter.
If the dinosaur gene still runs in your cinematic veins, give it a watch. Just don’t expect it to replace your childhood favourites.
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