The Jurassic World Franchise Wrote a Check That the Rebirth Trailer Refuses to Cash

Jurassic World: Rebirth's First Trailer: A Prehistoric Step Back?

The first trailer for Jurassic World: Rebirth, the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park franchise, has arrived. This new chapter, directed by Gareth Edwards and featuring a fresh cast including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali (alongside the return of original screenwriter David Koepp), marks a purported “new era” following the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard trilogy. However, the trailer suggests a regression for the series. Where's the globally-integrated dinosaur world teased in Fallen Kingdom and Dominion?

A Cretaceous Regression?

While the Jurassic World trilogy received mixed reviews, its box office success is undeniable. The global appetite for dinosaur-themed blockbusters is clear. Director Gareth Edwards, known for his skill in crafting large-scale VFX sequences (as seen in Godzilla and Rogue One), is a promising addition. His expertise in CGI is a significant asset.

The trailer showcases impressive dinosaur visuals, with Edwards' attention to detail evident. However, the film's apparent return to a familiar island setting overshadows these strengths. The "world of dinosaurs" concept, introduced in Fallen Kingdom, appears largely absent. While the dinosaurs look spectacular, the lack of innovation is concerning. The limited screen time given to the new cast prevents a thorough assessment of their potential. The action scenes look promising, but the consistent delivery of dinosaur-centric action isn't guaranteed. (Remember the locusts from Dominion? Neither do we.)

Who's the best Jurassic hero character?

Alan Grant (Sam Neill)Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern)Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum)Owen Grady (Chris Pratt)Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard)I haven't seen Rebirth yet but I'm voting for Scarlett Johansson already.Other (Tell us in the comments.)AnswerSee ResultsIsland Redux?

The setting: another island, seemingly neither Isla Nublar nor Isla Sorna, described as the original Jurassic Park research facility. This contradicts previous canon and represents a return to familiar territory. Why revert to this formula when the previous trilogy concluded with dinosaurs inhabiting the globe? The official synopsis explains that five years post-Dominion, the planet's ecology is unsuitable for most dinosaurs, confining them to isolated equatorial regions.

This feels like an unnecessary step backward. Why establish a "Jurassic World" only to abandon it? Dominion already reversed Fallen Kingdom's ending, limiting dinosaur activity to a preserve. Rebirth now discards the exciting prospect of a world overrun by dinosaurs. This creative choice undermines the film's intended relaunch with new characters and concepts. The established lore is also inconsistent. Dominion depicted dinosaurs thriving in diverse environments, contradicting Rebirth's premise.

The Jurassic franchise is a Hollywood safe bet, yet this film seems to miss an opportunity for genuine innovation. While Rebirth might have hidden surprises, the persistent reliance on the tropical island setting is a missed opportunity. The franchise needs to move beyond this trope. While a complete overhaul isn't necessary, exploring new environments would significantly enhance the series. Only time will tell if Jurassic World: Rebirth succeeds, but the hope is for the franchise to finally embrace novelty over repetition.

Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills

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