Good afternoon! I’m here to share my review of Jurassic World Rebirth. I had planned to include it in yesterday’s post, but unfortunately, that didn’t work out. How was your 4th of July?

Jurassic World Rebirth has emerged as a deeply flawed entry in the franchise that exemplifies many of the series’ worst tendencies while failing to deliver on its promise of renewal. The film, starring Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey, opened to a disappointing box office and lukewarm audience reception, signaling dissatisfaction with what many are calling a “disposable” and “demoralizing” experience.

Tonal Inconsistency and Narrative Problems

The film’s most glaring issue is its severe tonal inconsistency, which creates a jarring viewing experience. One moment features genuinely terrifying mutated monsters stalking the protagonists, only to be immediately undercut by unfunny, corny jokes that completely deflate the tension. This back-and-forth approach to tone prevents the film from establishing any sustained atmosphere of dread or wonder, two elements that were crucial to the original Jurassic Park’s success.

The narrative structure itself is fundamentally broken, with the film struggling to balance corporate greed, scientific ethics, family drama, coexistence with dinosaurs, and questions about scientific ownership. None of these themes are developed meaningfully, resulting in a bloated story where audiences struggle to care about any particular storyline or character arc.

Poor Character Development and Questionable Decisions

Perhaps most frustratingly, Rebirth features some of the most poorly conceived character decisions in the franchise’s history. The film opens with a scientist carelessly dropping a candy wrapper that somehow disables an entire security system in a convoluted scene, establishing early on that the characters will behave with inexplicable stupidity rather than the hubris that drove earlier films. This shift from meaningful character flaws to simple incompetence undermines any dramatic weight the story might have carried.

The addition of a stranded family subplot, while providing some of the film’s better moments, ultimately feels like a cynical attempt to include “a cute kid and a cute dinosaur to boost the ratings.” This family storyline often overshadows the main narrative featuring the star-powered cast, creating an awkward dynamic where the supposedly expendable characters generate more tension than the marquee names.

Missed Opportunities and Creative Bankruptcy

What makes Jurassic World Rebirth particularly disappointing is how it squanders genuinely interesting concepts. The premise of an island filled with failed genetic mutations had the potential for genuine horror, and the darker, scarier moments when the film briefly embraces this direction are some of its strongest. However, these promising elements are consistently undermined by the film’s inability to commit to any single vision or tone.

The movie’s title itself becomes ironic, as nothing is truly “reborn” in the franchise and the film makes it clear that dinosaurs are dying out rather than experiencing any kind of renewal. Instead of offering fresh perspectives or innovative storytelling, Rebirth falls back on tired franchise tropes while somehow managing to be less engaging than its predecessors. Ultimately, the film represents just another forgettable entry rather than the franchise revitalization its title promises.

Update

We’re heading out to dinner with our friends, the Vuongs. It’s a nice feeling, more comfortable, when you’ve known someone for twenty years or more and can just be yourself. The conversations flow effortlessly, filled with shared memories and inside jokes that only long-time friends would understand. There’s no need for pretenses or small talk; it’s all about enjoying the moment and the company. Tonight promises to be one of those easy, warm evenings where laughter fills the air and time seems to slow down.

Back with more tomorrow.

Lastly….

The Cubs made history yesterday, smashing a franchise record with 8 home runs. Although they fought hard today, they came up just short. Check out the video below from yesterday’s incredible game!