JURASSIC WORLD
US, 2015, 124 minutes, Colour.
Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simpkins, Nick Robinson, Vincent D' Onofrio, Irrfan Khan, Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, BD Wong, Judy Greer.
Directed by Colin Trevorrow.
Jurassic used to be a word that scientists used to describe primaeval stages in Earth’s evolution. Ask anyone over the last quarter of a century, after readers had devoured Michael Crichton’s novel and moviegoers had stormed the box office for Stephen Spielberg’s film version, and Jurassic meant Jurassic Park. The dinosaurs were there, cared for by earnest scientists, getting out of control through aberrations of science, but giving the audiences lots of thrills for their money.
There were two sequels, not quite as startling as the original, to say the least. Surely it was something of a risk to make another Jurassic film decades after the original. Not that filmmakers are usually risk-takers, but Universal Studios must be very happy with the present producers who risked making Jurassic World: an enormous opening weekend in the United States, throughout the world, and half a billion at the box office before a month was over.
Worth it? This question applies only to the fans, not to those who would not be seen dead, let alone alive, watching a Jurassic movie. And the answer seems to be yes. This sequel moves us back to Jurassic Park with explicit references to the personalities and what had happened before the disaster, re-opening 20 years after the previous collapse. Everything is now under control, under the control of technology and surveillance, under the control of the officer in charge, a rather humourless and uptight Bryce Dallas Howard. Her sister and brother-in-law, covering difficulties, sending their sons to their aunty who is to look after them and show them the sites. She is very busy, promoting Jurassic World, getting contracts, doing deals. She hasn’t noticed that there are some strange types around, especially some with military background, led by Vincent D’ Onofrio, obvious, well at least two us if not to her, that there will be dangers with the dinosaurs.
Some of the dinosaurs are being trained by a genial young man, Chris Pratt, who knows them by name, and has a way of bringing them under control. His assistant is played by Omar Sy (The Intouchables).
So far, so good, the boys going on all kinds of rides, the visitors seeing all the dinosaurs in their created habitats, tourists galore. Needless to say, there are some scientists who are experimenting with the dinosaurs, introducing all kinds of genes into their system, giving them characteristics of some of the more menacing creatures, and an ability to camouflage, raptor aggressiveness…
While we guess the rest, it is the experience of watching the rest that is important. The mutant dinosaur goes on a rampage, the military try to control but end up decimated, our hero, the trainer, who has had a bad relationship with the manager of Jurassic World in the past, has to join up with her, first of all to save the boys, then to save the park – if possible, with tourists fleeing, dinosaurs pursuing, pterodactyls let loose and swooping, lots of chases, just what the audience needed when they decided to buy their tickets to Jurassic World.
This is a “what if…?” imagining of a a world out of control. Interestingly, while we all talk of progress and experts encourage us to venture into all kinds of developments, the classic stories and so many of the movies are actually quite cautious, the Frankenstein Syndrome, where humans exceed their powers, arrogantly manipulating nature, creating monsters.
And, since this is a popular approach to disaster films and apocalyptic scenarios, they will always be welcomed – especially if the action sequences and special effects are well worked into the screenplay as they are in Jurassic World.
1. World consciousness about Jurassic Park, the novel, the films, the sequels? A Jurassic film for the 21st century?
2. The contribution of Michael Crichton, Steven Spielberg, the development of the themes?
3. Audiences, the perennial popularity of stories about dinosaurs? Pre-history, the types of dinosaurs, the raptors, others, the pterodactyls? Facts, science? Myths?
4. Impact of Jurassic Park, the revival of the park, the science, the possibilities, the stretching of credibility, the laboratories, the science, the entrepreneurs, the theme parks, staff and guides, security? Theme park expectations for the film?
5. The crowds, the public, delight, sense of adventure? Threats, the experience of disaster, injuries and deaths, panic and rescue?
6. The technology, gene technology, creating new creatures, splicing genes, creating new breeds, monsters? The huge dinosaur, character, camouflage, parts of the raptor, brain, prey, sport and killing?
7. The introduction to the boys, Grey, his age, knowledge, recitation, excitement for the trip? Zach, older, preoccupation with the girls, his role as older brother? The parents, the pretence about no divorce, the airport, seeing the boys off? Expectations of Clare? New vistas of Jurassic World, Costa Rica, the ferry, the crowds, the new attractions, the buildings? Maps, surveillance cameras, security? The explanations? The comic touch with Jimmy Fallon and his video guide?
8. Owen, Barry, their work with the raptors, their names, control, the creatures obeying orders? The assistant, dragged into the compound, Owen and his daring and control to get the man released?
9. Hoskins, the military background, seeing the creatures as weapons? His obtuse personality? Control of the troops? Their going out on mission, their being destroyed by the dinosaur? Dr Wu, pride in the creation, the laboratories, in league with Hoskins? His explanations? The buildup to the confrontations, the plans, the disasters?
10. Clare, as a person, the boss-lady, seven years not seeing the family? The control, being busy, with her staff, Lowery and his quips? His associate and her work? The clash with Owen, indications of their past, the meeting with sponsors, the plausible explanations of the attractions, bigger and better?
11. The boys, Clare not present, their chaperone? Going on the rides, the explanations, Grey and his excitement? Zach watching the girls? The two and the rides, in the ball, rolling through the park with the creatures? The trains and the crowds?
12. Simon Masrani, finance, his plans and ambitions, in the helicopter, Clare and her fear? Supervision, the disasters looming, decisions, having to cope, discussions with the Dr Wu, Hoskins? Flying the helicopter, crashing into the aviary?
13. The dinosaurs, creations, the huge dinosaur, the attack, killing, getting out of the compound, the threats? Response of the staff, Clare’s decisions? Evacuation – and the consequences for business? The military expedition, the manoeuvres, their deaths – and their names on the screen and being eliminated?
14. The crash, the pterodactyls escaping, flying, attacking people, the chaperone and her being mauled and drowned?
15. The boys, in the ball, its being smashed, their flight, jumping over the cliff? Going into the old Jurassic Park centre, fixing the vehicle? Driving, the rescue?
16. Clare, the phone calls, the boys and their special wrist bands? The map, showing the danger areas? Owen and Clare, the clashes, searching for the boys, working out what happened, finding them? The boys in the back of the truck, Clare driving? The raptors and their pursuit?
17. Hoskins, Lowery staying, Dr Wu leaving? The staff being evacuated?
18. The tourists, waiting for the boats, the injuries and being tended? The rescue and the next day?
19. The decision to free the big dinosaur, the previous demonstrations in the pools for the audiences and their getting splashed? Training the raptors, the raptor looking at Hoskins and later killing him? The dinosaur communicating with the raptors? The fight between the two large dinosaurs, the role of the raptors, the rogue dinosaur, battle and death in the water?
20. Barry and Owen, with the raptors, Barry and his being threatened, Owen rescuing him? Owen and his control?
21. The rescue, the arrival of the parents, reunited?
22. Owen and Clare, together?
23. The underlying messages about science, playing God, exceeding capacities, the profit motive, military motives?
