JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH (2025) – The Franchise That Refuses to Go Extinct

Jurassic World: Rebirth tramples onto the cinematic landscape with the stubborn determination of a T. rex chasing a Jeep—unwilling to let the franchise rest and roaring for our attention. Gone are Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard; in their place, a fresh cast helmed by Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey (of Bridgerton fame) leads yet another expedition, this time with the lofty goal of harvesting dino DNA to cure heart disease. If the premise sounds like an excuse for mayhem and spectacle, that’s because it is—and the film makes little attempt to pretend otherwise.

The narrative serves mainly as a thread to string together the real attractions: dino encounters, high-stakes escapes, and visual effects that remain as dazzling as ever. The world-building is brisk: dinosaurs, having failed to adapt to most of Earth’s climates, now conveniently inhabit remote equatorial islands. It’s a setup that allows for familiar jungle chases and toothy close-ups, but not much else in the way of innovation.

Character development, unfortunately, is as thin as a velociraptor’s patience. Johansson channels her action-hero persona with icy resolve but little chemistry opposite Bailey, and the supporting cast is relegated to spewing dialogue with bad jokes when they are not busy explaining to the audience what is happening. The film leans on nostalgia rather than novelty, peppering in references to earlier Jurassic outings but rarely capturing their magic or wit.

Director Gareth Edwards is no stranger to block buster action movies having helmed Monsters, Godzilla, The Creator and the excellent Rogue One. Hence it is no surprise Jurassic World: Rebirth delivers on the popcorn thrills front. If you’re seeking an adrenaline rush and jaw-dropping visuals, you’ll find the film as reliable as a theme park ride—predictable, fleeting, and ultimately forgettable. It’s a spectacle that dazzles in the moment but dissolves as soon as the credits roll.

For longtime fans, the call-backs to classic Jurassic Park moments may provide a brief flicker of excitement, but the film never transcends its formulaic blueprint. In clinging to the bones of its predecessors, Rebirth struggles to justify its own existence, offering little more than a glossy echo of what made the franchise special in the first place.

In the end, Jurassic World: Rebirth is watchable, loud, and visually arresting, but as the franchise continues to circle the same narrative paddock, even the most devoted dino enthusiasts may find themselves wishing for extinction. As far as I am concerned, I am done with the series.