
Jurassic World: Rebirth (2025) – A Welcome Roar Back to Form
After the lukewarm reception of Dominion, expectations were low. Many fans, myself included, had emotionally checked out of the franchise. But Jurassic World: Rebirth, directed by Gareth Edwards, manages to defy the odds. It doesn’t reinvent the dinosaur wheel, but it tightens it, polishes it, and—thankfully—puts the dinosaurs back in the driver’s seat.
From the opening scene, there’s a clear tonal shift. Gone are the cartoonish villains and convoluted gene-editing subplots. Instead, Rebirth gives us a grounded, atmospheric experience that echoes the original Jurassic Park. Shot on 35mm film, the visuals are rich and textured. The jungle feels humid and alive. The tension builds not from chaos, but from silence, from careful pacing. It’s the kind of film where a creaking tree branch means more than an explosion.
Scarlett Johansson plays Zora Bennett, a bioethics specialist reluctantly brought into a secretive mission to recover dinosaur DNA for potential life-saving treatment. It’s a morally gray area—can the science that once doomed humanity now heal it? Alongside her, Mahershala Ali adds gravitas in a supporting role, while Jonathan Bailey (of Bridgerton fame) brings unexpected charm. The characters are competent, but not superhuman. They’re scared, conflicted, and sometimes make mistakes—which makes them feel real.
But let’s be honest: no one watches a Jurassic film for human drama alone. The dinosaurs—thankfully—are back as the main attraction. And they’ve never looked better. ILM’s VFX paired with practical animatronics deliver stunning creatures, especially the “Distortus Rex,” a new hybrid that’s terrifying without being absurd. The sound design—roars echoing through dense forests, footsteps causing ripples in water—evokes real dread and awe.
There’s a fantastic riverboat sequence (a nod to a scrapped scene from the original 1993 film) that deserves praise. It’s suspenseful, beautifully shot, and perfectly edited. For the first time in years, I leaned forward in my seat during a Jurassic movie, not out of habit, but because I cared.
That said, Rebirth isn’t flawless. The plot, while serviceable, does tread familiar ground. Evil biotech corporations, moral dilemmas, a child caught in the middle—it’s all a bit paint-by-numbers. Some emotional beats feel undercooked, and the final act rushes toward resolution faster than it should. A few character arcs end predictably, with Hollywood-style neatness that dulls the impact.
Still, those are minor gripes in a film that largely succeeds at its goal: making dinosaurs feel magical—and terrifying—again. The score, composed with nods to John Williams’ iconic themes, swells at just the right moments, reminding us why we fell in love with this franchise in the first place.
Verdict:
Jurassic World: Rebirth is a satisfying, visually stunning return to the spirit of the original. It won’t change your life, but it might rekindle your love for dinosaurs—and that’s more than enough.
Rating: 8/10 – A worthy rebirth.