Jurassic World Sequel's Teaser Falls Flat

Jurassic World: Rebirth's First Trailer: A Prehistoric Step Backwards?

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 supposed "new era" following the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard trilogy. However, the trailer suggests a regression for the series. Where's the globally dispersed dinosaur world promised by Fallen Kingdom and teased again in Dominion?

A Return to Familiar Territory

While the Jurassic World trilogy received mixed reviews, its consistent box office success underscores the enduring global fascination with dinosaurs. Universal's decision to assemble a new cast and crew, notably director Gareth Edwards (known for his visual scale in films like Godzilla and Rogue One), is intriguing. Edwards' expertise in CGI and visual effects promises a significant improvement over some recent visually underwhelming blockbusters. His rapid production timeline—hired in February 2024 and in production by June—is remarkable. While the trailer doesn't fully showcase the new characters, the action sequences and dinosaur presence are promising.

Despite this potential, the trailer's reliance on a familiar setting overshadows its other strengths. The "world of dinosaurs" concept, hinted at since Fallen Kingdom, is conspicuously absent.

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 seemingly new island described as the "original Jurassic Park research facility"—feels like a step back. Ignoring inconsistencies with established canon, the choice to return to an isolated tropical island setting undermines the global dinosaur scenario established in the previous trilogy. The official synopsis explains that the planet's ecology is inhospitable to dinosaurs, limiting them to equatorial environments. This feels like an unnecessary retcon, especially considering the potential of the "Jurassic World" concept. Similar to Dominion's containment of dinosaur action, Rebirth appears to discard the series' most innovative idea: a world overrun by dinosaurs.

This creative decision is particularly puzzling given the film's aim to relaunch the franchise with new characters and ideas. The established lore is also questionable: Dominion depicted dinosaurs thriving in diverse environments, contradicting Rebirth's premise.

The Jurassic franchise's consistent success suggests that taking creative risks could unlock new possibilities.

While Rebirth may hold surprises beyond the trailer (rumors of an original title, "Jurassic City," hint at a potential hidden setting), the franchise needs to move beyond the tired tropical island trope. While not necessarily requiring a full-scale "Planet of the Apes" style overhaul, exploring new environments is crucial. Ultimately, Rebirth's success hinges on whether it embraces innovation or recycles familiar elements.

Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills

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