Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018) Director: J. A. Bayona

★☆☆☆☆

Directed by Spanish horror film director, J. A. Bayona, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom opens with a volcanic eruption threatening the existence of dinosaurs now freely roaming on Isla Nublar. Hordes of animal rights activists demand care and protection for the animals, but Dr. Malcolm (reprised by Jeff Goldblum) argues they should not be rescued because they have already been selected by Nature for extinction. At any rate, the “heroes” return again from Jurassic World (Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard) and they try to protect the dinosaurs only for them to be auctioned off to greedy billionaires. However, there is also a new genetically-engineered hybrid dinosaur created called the “indo-raptor.” Why? I guess the toy sales needed a boost.

This whole movie is a long boring slog in which all of the main characters fail in their objectives, coupled with a yawning plot twist involving human cloning, and in the end the dinosaurs escape into the broader world (hence “Jurassic World”). The entire crux of the film hinges on certain befuddlingly altruistic hopes of saving the dinosaurs, even though every single attempt in the past to control the dinosaurs like zoo animals has led to disastrous consequences. As we watch along in the audience, we (the viewer) develop an uncomfortable sensation of not wanting this movie to unfold the whole time we are watching it –and it was quite obviously made as a “filler” film in order to pave the way for the next installment, which is set to be released in 2022. Don’t waste your time with this one.

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