These words are uttered by Chris
Pratt’s character in response to ‘corporate’ and their notion that it now takes
having to create a genetically modified hybrid super
dinosaur to satiate the current seen-it-all-before dinosaur theme park visiting
audience. Just regular old dinosaurs don't cut the mustard anymore.
Although undoubtedly also an intentional sly dig
by the filmmakers at the state of Hollywood blockbusters today, Jurassic World itself unfortunately falls into the same trap itself, both in terms of
its content and delivery.
Seeing John Hammond’s vision - a fully
functional dinosaur park (spared no expense, of course) - in operation is a joy
to behold, and these sequences offer much of the imagination and sense of awe
that occupies much of the first part of the film. But despite numerous call
backs to Spielberg’s (now evidenced by three attempts) frankly untouchable
original, this latest film in the franchise falls somewhat short in trying to
replicate that JP magic, without really getting why it was so effective in the
first place.
For example, the sequence involving an assault
on the gyro-sphere: it apes the iconic T-Rex and jeep set piece in the original
Jurassic Park – but has none of the carefully crafted buildup and tension. It’s all over
so fast. Similarly, raptors chasing the group in a lab: done in a few seconds.
There are no finely crafted and choreographed set pieces that made the first so
effective - not to mention also genuinely terrifying.
Instead we have a scene where there is a lot of screaming and
shakey POV camera footage as idiotic and anonymous soldier-types get slaughtered
– often off camera. Do they consider modern audience’s attention spans to be so
short that these quick fire action sequences are the way to keep them
interested?
Even John William’s iconic score if only teased
at certain moments – when really they should have just gone all out and played it over
the rip-roaring triumphant scenes toward the closing of the film. Point being,
if you are going to go the trouble of repeatedly (and not so subtly) homaging something, at
least understand why it worked in the first place and attempt to replicate that.
There is no doubt that Jurassic World features excellent design and CG work throughout,
but it is odd that at times it somehow doesn't quite feel as realistic and believable
as it should. Despite the original film being made over two decades years ago, its
amazing how that one still trumps World
in terms of how it integrates its special effects so effectively – a seamless mix of both
practical and CG. Maybe it's the over-reliance on CG in World (even the approach to the entrance gate looks like a video game cutscene!) and the scarcity of
practical effects for much of the dino action, that makes them lack some of their physical
oomph on screen.
That being said, there are some terrific vistas
and one large scale ‘disaster’ type sequences (the pterodactyl attack) afforded by the advance in technology - where
you really get to see the danger of multiple dangerous animals running amok in
a crowded theme park. If only the film had more of these chaotic sequences rather than
yet another scene of people traipsing through the jungle, just to be somehow
snuck up on by a massive lizard.
It’s not all glum though – there are good
instances of humour here and there and a couple of neat reversals, particularly
in terms of gender roles and heroism tropes. Overall, however, too many
illogical moments and inconsistencies (the brothers laughing and joking as normal
together moments after narrowly escaping being eaten alive, Claire outrunning a
T-Rex in high heels) make this more of a simply fun and light viewing experience
rather than anything truly awe-inspiring one like we may have hoped.
Is it the case that we can never really truly
capture the magic of Jurassic Park
ever again? Do we, in this day and age, really have to resort to
superpowered Rex’s and weaponised raptors just to keep people interested in the franchise? I
guess having ‘just dinosaurs’ really isn’t ‘wow’ enough anymore.
17th June 2015
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