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, helmed 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 supposed "new era" following the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard trilogy. However, the trailer suggests a potentially disappointing regression for the series.

A Return to Familiar Territory?

While the Jurassic World trilogy received mixed reviews, the franchise remains a consistent box office powerhouse. Universal's decision to assemble a new cast and crew, with the visually-gifted Gareth Edwards at the helm, was a shrewd move. Edwards' expertise in large-scale VFX-heavy films promises visually stunning sequences. The trailer showcases impressive dinosaur animation, exceeding the quality of many recent blockbusters. His rapid production timeline (hired February 2024, in production by June) is remarkable. However, the trailer's focus remains unclear, with limited character development.

Despite the visual promise, the trailer's biggest letdown is its apparent abandonment of the "world of dinosaurs" concept teased since Fallen Kingdom.

The film's setting—a seemingly new, undisclosed island described as the original Jurassic Park research facility—feels like a retread. This contradicts established canon and ignores the global dinosaur presence established in previous films. The official synopsis explains that the planet's ecology is inhospitable to dinosaurs, confining them to isolated equatorial regions.

This feels like an unnecessary step back. Why build up a "Jurassic World" only to abandon it? Similar to Dominion's reversal of Fallen Kingdom's ending, Rebirth discards the exciting potential of a world overrun by dinosaurs. This creative choice undermines the film's intended relaunch with new characters and ideas. The inconsistencies with established lore are glaring, particularly considering the scenes in Dominion showcasing dinosaurs thriving in diverse environments.

The Jurassic franchise's consistent success begs the question: why not embrace bolder, more innovative storytelling?

While Rebirth may hold surprises beyond the trailer, the reliance on the familiar tropical island setting feels stale. The rumored original title, Jurassic City, hints at a potentially different setting not revealed in the trailer. Regardless, the franchise needs to move beyond this tired trope. While not necessarily requiring a Planet of the Apes-style scenario, a middle ground that showcases dinosaurs in novel environments is long overdue. The hope is that Jurassic World: Rebirth will finally demonstrate the value of fresh ideas over recycled concepts.

Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills

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