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 (along with 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 potential regression for the series. The promised "world of dinosaurs," teased in Fallen Kingdom and Dominion, seems conspicuously absent.

A Return to Familiar Territory?

While the Jurassic World trilogy received mixed reviews, its consistent box office success underscores the enduring appeal of dinosaurs. Universal's decision to assemble a new creative team, with Gareth Edwards' expertise in large-scale VFX, is intriguing. Edwards' talent is evident in the trailer's impressive dinosaur visuals, showcasing superior detail and lighting compared to recent blockbusters. The limited screen time given to the new cast prevents a thorough assessment, but the action sequences appear promising. However, the trailer's focus raises concerns.

The trailer's most significant shortcoming is its apparent disregard for the "world of dinosaurs" concept established in Fallen Kingdom. This oversight looms large, overshadowing the impressive visuals.

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 ResultsAnother Island?

The film's setting—a previously unmentioned island described as the original Jurassic Park research facility—feels like a retread of familiar territory. This decision contradicts established canon and avoids the potential of exploring the global dinosaur population established in previous films. The official synopsis explains the dinosaurs' confinement to isolated equatorial environments, but this feels like an unnecessary course correction, abandoning the exciting possibilities introduced in Fallen Kingdom.

This creative choice is particularly baffling given the film's aim to relaunch the franchise with new characters and concepts. The trailer's return to the island setting ignores the series' most innovative idea: a world overrun by dinosaurs. This contradicts the events depicted in Dominion, which showcased dinosaurs thriving in diverse environments. The franchise's consistent success should encourage bolder creative risks, rather than relying on established tropes.

While Jurassic World: Rebirth might hold surprises beyond the trailer, the persistent reliance on the island setting is a missed opportunity. The rumored original title, Jurassic City, hints at a potential setting not shown in the trailer. Regardless, the franchise needs to move beyond the island motif. While not necessarily requiring a full-scale Planet of the Apes style adaptation, exploring new environments would significantly enhance the series. The hope is that Jurassic World: Rebirth will finally demonstrate the value of innovation over repetition.

Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills

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