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We’ve come a long way since the first “Jurassic Park” (1993). And by that, I mean we’ve gone down, WAY down. I thoroughly enjoyed the first two Jurassic Park movies. I didn’t mind the forgettable third film, but it wasn’t good.
Then, director Colin Trevorrow decided to reboot the franchise with a film about what would have happened if the park actually opened, and it was a promising start. “Jurassic World” had a simple plot, it was relevant, and a whole lot of fun. However, that slight spike plummeted after the tragedy that was “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom”, and now has officially crashed after the unfortunate end to this trilogy.
“Jurassic World Dominion” had all the potential with the return of original cast and the idea of what happens now that the dinosaurs from the park are out in the real world living among us. But somehow, they managed to take that potential and squander it with a convoluted plot, redundant dinosaur scares, and forced, corny dialogue.
In “Jurassic World Dominion”, we are seeing the effect of dinosaurs being part of our world. There are basically two stories going on; one follows Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) and Owen (Chris Pratt) as they try to protect their sort of daughter, Maisie (Isabella Sermon), from those who want to study her genetic make-up. All the while, Ellie (Laura Dern), Alan (Sam Neill), and Ian (Jeff Goldblum) unite to investigate the shady dealings at BioSyn which is now run by another Jurassic Park character, Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott). Genetic experimentation done by BioSyn has created an “ecological disaster” that might destroy the world’s food chain.
I’m not sure how much the plot matters here. Trevorrow clearly just wanted a reason to show off the dinosaurs and provide enough nostalgia for fan service.
It seems Trevorrow bit off more than he can chew. He had all the key ingredients to serve up a satisfying conclusion, but somehow, he didn’t create the right recipe. Though I’m sure he put a lot of effort into this script, he missed a huge opportunity to better connect the original characters with the new ones; and failed to deliver a screenplay that had us invested in them. Any sort of “development” is rushed, and the emotions that are supposed to feel impactful are never earned. The cast and this franchise deserved so much more from this “grand” finale.
Though “Jurassic World Dominion” isn’t a roaring success, it does rumble out some joy. Jeff Goldblum as Ian Malcom is hilarious. The man is effortlessly entertaining. And of course, the dinosaurs! The kid in me still enjoys seeing the different dinos running around and terrorizing on screen. But I don’t think this morsel of fun justifies the two and half hours of chaos and confusion.
The only takeaway from “Jurassic World Dominion” is that the franchise is ready for extinction.
For those who didn’t like the film adaptation of Veronica Roth’s young adult novel, Divergent, I advise you stop reading this review and don’t bother wasting your time watching this sequel. I highly doubt you’ll find Insurgent to your liking as the first film provided more thought and care into its story-line. Though Insurgent supplies much more action, this movie comes off as a fun-filler until its anticipated conclusion.
The film is still set in a futuristic Chicago society, where people are divided into five factions based on skill and aptitude (Abnegation = selfless; Erudite = intelligent; Candor = honest; Dauntless = brave; Amity = peaceful). And as we found out from the last film, Tris (Shailene Woodley) and her brooding, tatted boyfriend, Four (Theo James) are “divergent,” meaning they don’t conform into any category and are considered extremely dangerous.
Insurgent picks up right where Divergent left off. Tris, her brother Caleb (Ansel Elgort), Four, and Peter (Miles Teller) are on the run from the evil, Erudite leader Jeanine (Kate Winslet) and are now hiding out in the Amity faction. However, this safe house doesn’t last long, Jeanine is hell bent on hunting down every Divergent her squad can get their hands on, and unfortunately for Tris, she’s the “special one” that’s capable of opening up a magical box that supposedly will help Euridites rule the world and get rid of the Divergents forever.
The action sequences may feel forced at times, but that doesn’t make them any less enjoyable to watch. The first half of Divergent focused on Tris’ training and the real action in that film didn’t happen till the end. It’s nice to jump right into the excitement and watch some entertaining fight scenes. Like the first film, this sequel shows off some breathtaking visual effects, especially when we delve into Tris’ subconscious and try to decipher whether her visions are real or fake.
Insurgent may get criticized for its cheesiness and at times the confusing plot, but just like Jennifer Lawrence in Hunger Games, Shailene Woodley transcends with her compelling performance as the kick ass heroine. Woodley’s co-stars are adequate. But, even with the addition of Naomi Watts, it’s Miles Teller who shines as the mischievous Peter, providing some much needed comic relief. I do wish we got to dig deeper with Caleb. He is clearly a significant character, but yet I feel no attachment or interest towards him. Keep in mind that Caleb is being played by the same guy who had us bawling our eyes out in The Fault In Our Stars. Hopefully we get know and understand Caleb a little better in the next film.
It is possible that I am still reeling off the first film. Divergent was a great movie and took time to really develop the characters which had me already caring for Tris and Four before the movie started. It’s doubtful that Insurgent will be as memorable as the previous film. The premise is simple and is only stretched out by romance and numerous amounts of action. Fans of the series should be satisfied with this sequel, at least for its entertainment value.
The final book, Allegiant will of course be split into two films. Part 1 of this final installment is set to be released in theaters on March 18, 2016.
It’s the most anticipated film of the year. Divergent, starring Shailene Woodley (The Spectacular Now) and Theo James (Underworld: Awakening) is sure to have as much success as The Hunger Games and Twilight trilogies.
The first installment of the saga is set in a futuristic Chicago where people are divided into five distinct factions based on their personalities. Tris (Woodley) discovers that she is Divergent, meaning she does not fit into any of the factions; and soon discovers that in order to stay alive she must hide in a faction. The only problem is she chooses the most physically challenging one, Dauntless meaning “the brave.” As she struggles and fights through most of the film to prove herself to her new faction, she encounters many obstacles. This includes the hard-headed, tough leader Eric (Jai Courtney) and a non-stop competitive bully, Peter (Miles Teller). While training for Dauntless, Tris uncovers a horrifying plot forming in her seemingly perfect society.
The film held a special premiere in Dallas a couple weeks back. The “bad boys” themselves, Miles Teller and Jai Courtney, walked the red carpet and took pictures with many extremely enthusiastic Divergent fans. The next morning I got a chance to sit down with the two stars at Dallas’ Ritz Carlton Hotel to discuss the movie, the fans, and their fears. Now don’t be fooled by the characters they play. Their kindness and dry sense of humor made for one hilarious interview.
I have to give you guys props for last night on the red carpet. You handled your fans really well. I mean right when you (pointing to Miles) walked in, I saw you take a picture with a girl and she just grabbed your face and kissed you on the cheek.
Miles: “Yeah, yeah…”
Jai: “He’s use to that though; that happens all the time.”
Miles: “Yeah that’s, uh, you know, that’s a part of the business when you’re a heart throb (Jai laughs)… No. This one girl was like can I touch your hair? And I was like, yeah, sure. And she was like “oh God!” (Pulls hair and shakes head aggressively) Alright, so now I know if somebody asks “can I touch your hair?” I’m going to say “no.” So, like, you learn as you go. It’s hard in the moment though. It’s like; you (points to Jai) kissed a girl last night. You kissed a girl on the cheek, you told me.”
Jai: “I was kissing girls all over the place. It’s a free country.”
Miles: “Yeah, it’s a free country (laughs).”
Clearly your fans are very bold. What’s the boldest thing so far on this tour that a fan has done to you guys?
Miles: “Well this is our first stop on the tour…”
Jai: “Yeah that was it. You saw all of it. But it’s only going to get bolder from here.”
Miles: “…but teenage girls, they can be aggressive. I see One Direction videos, they’re…I mean no I don’t, (whispers) love them, Harry Style’s is my fav.” (Jai laughs)
Well you two play some not so nice characters in this movie. But I’d say the biggest “jerk moment” from both of y’all is probably when Eric had Peter beat up Tris.
Jai: “Woah!”
Miles: “Well that’s a little; I mean it’s not really revealed like that.”
Jai: “I mean, it’s part of the training. I didn’t have Peter beat up Tris.”
Miles: “Yeah.”
I mean you basically set it up.
Miles: “Oh my God, obviously she’s on Tris’ side were not going to win this argument.”
Jai: “You’ve misinterpreted things grossly.”
Miles: “I mean we’re just trying to survive Dauntless; is all we’re trying to do.”
Jai: “It’s a training exercise. She’s going to face tougher guys than Peter out there in the real world.”
Miles: “Yeah, I mean not tougher, but (Miles takes at a tough man sniff) taller.”
Jai: “Yeah, taller.”
So obviously that scene wasn’t hard for you guys to shoot at all then?
Jai: Morally? No (Shakes head).
Miles: “Well I mean Shai, at first; they did it with Shailene’s stunt double. And they said look three guys grab her. And they told the stunt double to; you know, kick and do all that. And she beat the crap out of these three dudes. So I was nervous to get in there. But then they said, yo, choke Shailene out. And I was, like, get in here. Come to daddy. So, you know, just a little bit of that.”
The funny thing is that there are some fans that want Peter and Tris together, even though he’s so horrible to her.
Miles: “I know right?”
And I think that stems from a girl wanting a bad boy still. Why do you guys think girls want the bad guy, even when they’re so horrible to them?
Miles: “I mean we’re more exciting. You know, like, nice is very cliché. You want a nice guy to go to the donut shop. If you want a bad boy, you better be able to role with the punches. (Jai laughs) We’re sexy. We look good in leather.
Jai: “Right?” (Looks to me)
Miles: “You tell me. What are you into? Do you like a bad boy?”
I think I like a… well there is an excitement to them, but I prefer a gentleman, and you can be a bad boy as long as you’re a gentleman.
Jai: “You can be a bad boy and a gentleman.”
Miles: “Right, well I think that girls think that they can make a bad guy change. I think for girls that’s the challenge. But most of the time, they don’t change. But I’d love for Peter and Tris to hook up.”
I think I’d like to see that.
Jai: “Yeah I’d watch that.”
Miles: “Yeah, right?”
We get to see a lot of the characters greatest fears in this movie, and like Four said, “Everybody is afraid of something.” So what is something that you guys are afraid of?
Jai: “I’m not much into arachnidan.”
Miles: “What is, is that a spider?
Jai: “Yeah, Not into spiders.”
Miles: “Spiders or snakes, what would freak you out more? Cause there’s two different movies about them?”
Jai: “See snakes don’t freak me out. I don’t want to get bitten by one, but like I would hold one.”
Miles: “You would hold one? You’re cool with that? What about sharks, great white sharks?”
Jai: “Grew up wrestling them dude.”
You (To Jai) are a bad boy.
Jai: “You know it.” (Miles laughs)
Miles: I don’t like cats,I’m not afraid of them…
Jai: “Cats suck! I’m with you on that.”
Miles: “…I’m allergic to them. I feel like a cat is, like, plotting to kill me.”
Jai: “We’re going to lose fans here.”
Miles: “Were going to lose our cat audience here. That’s fine; we got our dog audience…Oh, losing my youth! I’m afraid, I mean, I’m not afraid of getting old.”
Jai: “You’re getting old man.”
Miles: “Dude, you’re like 32 years-old man.”
Jai: “We’re the same age brother.”
Miles: “No we’re not!”
Jai: “Yes, we are (Laughs).”
Miles: “There’s no way this (Points to himself) is the same age, man. Look at you.”
Jai: “He can’t come to grips with that.”
(To set the record straight, both Miles and Jai are 27 years-old.)
