You have used all your credits for this month. Please add more credits to continue.

by

For longtime Jurassic Park enthusiasts, it’s no coincidence that Jurassic World Rebirth seems remarkably familiar. Ever since the first trailer was released, it has stirred up a sense of déjà vu among fans who have been following the series for decades. With Jurassic Park being one of Hollywood’s most successful blockbuster franchises, it was only a matter of time before it graced our screens again. Yet, much like one of the monstrous mutant hybrids in Jurassic World, it’s a peculiar blend of ideas and creatures drawn from its predecessors.

Although Jurassic Park marketed itself as “an adventure 65 million years in the making,” the franchise actually turns 35 this year, having been born when Michael Crichton published his first book in 1990. Since Steven Spielberg transformed Crichton’s novels into a cultural juggernaut, audiences have flocked to cinemas since 1993 and amassed enough Jurassic-themed merchandise to fill entire museums. Renamed as Jurassic World in 2015, the franchise now boasts almost seven feature films, with Jurassic World Rebirth being the latest endeavor to keep both dinosaurs and longtime series enthusiasts thriving.

Jurassic World Rebirth Shares Common DNA With Past Stories

Prepare For a Case of Dinosaur Déjà Vu

Following the conclusion of “Jurassic World Dominion” in 2022, viewers anticipated a more conventional “Jurassic Park” narrative, as original screenwriter David Koepp was back on board, suggesting a strong possibility. However, when the initial trailer for “Jurassic World Rebirth” was released, it became clear that the film would indeed revert to its roots. The dinosaurs were almost extinct again, their habitats restricted to just a few islands. As before, a group of individuals might find themselves trapped while chasing these prehistoric creatures. This setup felt comfortably familiar to many viewers, who recognized scenes, characters, and storylines that seemed strikingly reminiscent.

To begin with, it’s hard to overlook the intimidating D-Rex in the room or the soaring raptors hinted at in previews for Jurassic World Rebirth. Although hybrids have been a significant element of the Jurassic World series, initially used to frighten children, they are not novel. This idea was previously delved into with the 1998 Jurassic Park: Chaos Effect toyline. Reportedly intended as an animated series, Jurassic Park: Chaos Effect depicted a universe where scientists combined dinosaur DNA to create unstable chimeras, mutated T. rexes, fearsome pterosaurs, and indeed, flying Velociraptors as well.

Previously, stories about humans extracting dinosaur DNA for medical studies have been explored. In this case, character Alan Grant decides to revisit Isla Sorna due to the potential that InGen’s genetic research could save lives. Since Dr. Wu and other scientists were presumed dead following the events in the first Jurassic Park film, Grant thought that the knowledge they left behind could lead to groundbreaking medical advancements. The notion of attempting to retrieve a Quetzalcoatlus egg for experimentation subtly echoes the novel The Lost World, where Lewis Dodgson aimed to collect dinosaur embryos for pharmaceutical purposes.

Without a doubt, a tale like Jurassic Park wouldn’t be complete without a secluded island brimming with dinosaurs and a secretive facility housing creatures that should have remained hidden. This plot device has become synonymous with the franchise, evident in The Lost World: Jurassic Park’s Site B and Fallen Kingdom’s Lockwood Estate lab. In Jurassic World Rebirth, it seems the tradition persists. The trailer hints at a remote setting where a band of humans come face-to-face with something more perilous than anticipated, perhaps a creation of InGen, or even a force that nature itself found challenging to control.

The river scene showcased in the latest Jurassic World movie isn’t entirely original. In fact, it was taken directly from the Jurassic Park novel, where characters fled down a jungle river while being pursued by a T. rex. This particular moment was omitted from the 1993 film, but has been featured in various video games, theme park attractions, and ancillary materials. Consequently, experiencing this scene on the big screen felt less like a novelty and more like a resolution of an unfulfilled promise.

It’s only logical that an established franchise such as Jurassic Park, with over 30 years under its belt, would draw on its past for inspiration given its strong association with nostalgia. After the controversial themes of human cloning and giant locusts in the earlier films and the varying reactions they elicited, it’s not surprising that Koepp and the creative team decided to revisit familiar ground. However, by opting for a more reminiscent approach with Jurassic World Rebirth, instead of charting a daring new course, they may have created something more akin to a well-stitched quilt from the Jurassic Park franchise’s extensive and sometimes underappreciated history.

Un-franchiseable? – Why This Keeps Happening in the Jurassic Park Series

Some Wonder if Jurassic Park Has Been Cloned Too Many Times

Fans yearn for fresh tales and compelling reasons to revisit the exhilarating universe blending humans and dinosaurs. However, if Universal leans too much on nostalgia, the output can feel monotonous, a point humorously hinted at in the first “Jurassic World” film. Conversely, if the movies veer too far off course and become overly imaginative, fans lose interest, as observed with “Jurassic World Dominion”. The “Jurassic Park” series walks a fine line, and it’s important to consider this balance as Universal contemplates the future of the franchise.

The director of Jurassic World once expressed that the series was “difficult to continue,” reasoning that it’s challenging to create new stories when dinosaurs are already present. This perspective, though harsh, is not entirely off-base. Even author Michael Crichton initially had no intention of writing The Lost World until the success and fan enthusiasm for Spielberg’s Jurassic Park films sparked a change of heart. This observation highlights the challenging direction the series might be heading in, considering it’s nearing the point of overstepping the boundaries even of a Mosasaurus. Moreover, there have been calls for a crossover with Fast and Furious, which further illustrates the unusual state of the franchise.

Even the most cherished fandoms like Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), Star Wars, and Jurassic Park can experience a sense of weariness due to overexposure, known as franchise fatigue. Studios aim to keep their top-grossing properties thriving, while fans long for another taste of the initial enchantment. However, this dual need for freshness and familiarity can result in iconic franchises becoming creatively stagnant. The film World’s Collide showed that reassembling legacy characters might draw viewers back, but relying solely on nostalgia didn’t prevent a story about colossal insects from leaving many viewers disengaged.

Repetition, Risk, and the Future of Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park Can Escape Franchise Fatigue

The classic film Jurassic Park has often utilized well-known narratives and visuals, causing some to feel weary about revisiting the same swampy landscapes marked by T. rex footprints. However, as Jurassic World Rebirth barrels its way into cinemas, one can’t help but wonder: where might this series head before it collides with the speed and fury of the Fast & Furious, or before audiences find themselves witnessing dinosaurs in outer space? Or maybe, could it be that the traditional themes of Jurassic Park aren’t really the problem this time around?

Jurassic World: Chaos Theory demonstrates that there’s room for innovation within the franchise beyond its traditional approach. Interestingly, it leans more towards a mature and ominous tone, opting for suspense over spectacle, creating a narrative reminiscent of a mystery-thriller centered on conspiracy and character development. Intriguingly, it picks up where Jurassic World Dominion attempted but ultimately fell short, showcasing that it’s not just the concept, but also its execution that counts.

Much like its precursor, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous, might initially seem just another “island escape” narrative that the series has often explored. However, what sets it apart are its characters. Since the original film’s Tim and Lex, children have been a part of the franchise. Yet, this show tells the entire story from their point of view, delving into how a survival situation molds them positively or negatively. In comparison to the Jurassic Park Adventures books, such an approach is quite uncommon.

Regarding “Jurassic World Dominion”, the issue wasn’t that it drew from previous storylines, but rather it failed to create anything engaging or impactful with those borrowed ideas. Audiences didn’t dislike “Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom” and “Jurassic World Dominion” because they attempted to mix things up, but because they didn’t provide enough time for their innovative concepts to flourish. Conversely, the original film was successful despite its similarities because it provided a satisfying balance of excessive action and novel aspects that made it feel like an appropriate sequel.

In essence, just like the dinosaurs in “Jurassic World”, the franchise itself is constructed from its past, continually striving to enhance what has already been created. The narrative will consistently incorporate familiar aspects because without them, it wouldn’t feel like “Jurassic Park”. As Colin Trevorrow admitted, there are boundaries as to what this world can encompass. However, that doesn’t imply there is no space for development, novelty, or even a hint of heartfelt nostalgia, provided the creators can make these elements fit… and in the end, life always finds a way.

Jurassic World Rebirth stomps into theaters July 2, 2025.

Read More

2025-05-28 23:21