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

Jurassic World: Rebirth Trailer – A Step Backwards?

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 (along with the return of original screenwriter David Koepp), marks a supposed “new era” following the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard trilogy. However, initial impressions suggest a return to familiar territory, rather than the bold evolution promised.

The trailer showcases impressive dinosaur visuals, a testament to Edwards’ skill in large-scale VFX. The dinosaurs themselves are rendered with remarkable detail and realism, a significant improvement over some recent blockbuster efforts. Edwards’ efficient production timeline (hired February 2024, in production by June) is particularly noteworthy. While the new cast remains largely unproven, the action sequences look promising, and ample dinosaur screen time is evident – a welcome contrast to the somewhat forgettable antagonists of Jurassic World Dominion.

Despite these positives, the trailer's biggest letdown is its apparent disregard for the "world of dinosaurs" concept teased since Fallen Kingdom. Instead, Rebirth appears to revert to the classic formula of a secluded island teeming with dinosaurs, seemingly a third, undisclosed location described as the "original Jurassic Park research facility." This contradicts established canon and feels like a missed opportunity, especially considering the global dinosaur population established at the end of the previous trilogy. The official synopsis explains this by stating that the planet's ecology is inhospitable to dinosaurs, forcing them into isolated equatorial environments.

This creative choice feels like an unnecessary step back. Why invest in the "Jurassic World" concept only to abandon it? Similar to Dominion's retconning of Fallen Kingdom's ending, Rebirth seems to discard the series' most promising element: the widespread presence of dinosaurs. This undermines the attempt to relaunch the franchise with new characters and ideas, instead recycling the same old formula. The inconsistencies are further highlighted by Dominion's depiction of dinosaurs thriving in diverse environments, including urban settings.

While the trailer might be concealing further surprises (rumors suggest an original title of Jurassic City), the reliance on the familiar island setting is disappointing. The Jurassic franchise is a reliable box-office draw, yet it’s failing to capitalize on its potential for innovation. While not advocating for a full-blown Planet of the Apes scenario, the series desperately needs to explore new environments and narratives to avoid stagnation.

Ultimately, Jurassic World: Rebirth’s success remains to be seen. The hope is that the film will finally demonstrate the franchise's willingness to embrace fresh ideas instead of simply repackaging the past.

Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills

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