Jurassic World: Dominion

 I finally made the trip to Universal Studios Hollywood in 2018, being one of the last people to experience its Jurassic Park ride. I'd like to go again for its Jurassic World ride. But considering the state of the world, I'd settle for a movie substitute, Jurassic World: Dominion, the "epic conclusion of the Jurassic saga."

The Dinosaurs of Isla Nublar's shuttered theme parks roam freely around the world. Jurassic World's former operation manager, Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard), works for the "Dinosaur Protection Group," while she and raptor trainer Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) guard McGuffin girl Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon) in the Sierra Nevada. The last raptor, Blue, somehow has an offspring, Beta. Beta and Maisie are targeted by the evil Biosyn company. Owen and Claire go globe-hopping when Biosyn's goons take them.

Biosyn's evil CEO Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott), who indirectly caused the Jurassic Park fiasco, is also investing in giant locusts that eat everything but his crops. JP survivors Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern), Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum) and Alan Grant (Sam Neill) investigate the matter in Biosyn's HQ. Owen and Claire end up there with pilot Kayla (DeWanda Wise). Both groups are endangered by Dodgson's machinations and the formerly extinct life there, especially its Giganotosaurus. 

A lot happens over its 146-minute runtime. The plot does struggle a bit with its loads and loads of humans and dinosaurs. Take Beta for instance; after she escapes Biosyn captivity, it takes a long while before she pops back up. It's easy to forget she was there. It's also hard to disseminate Biosyn's master plan when it has two. A few returning heroes and new villains become irrelevant once they reach Biosyn HQ. And no, I am not talking about the poacher who gets munched on.

Another dinosaur, the Therizinosaurus, is introduced slapping a deer away with its oversized claws. That audacious scene could have been a great intro for the main Dino villain. But other than menace Claire, its only significance is to tag with Rexy against the Giganotosaurus. The Giga should have had a few more scenes to establish its threat. 

A lot more could have happened too, including with the loose Dinosaur plotline. The opening does show the inconveniences of the new wildlife. But these problems fade away when the super locusts appear. The most we get after that is a scene in a Maltese Dino black market, which ends with carnivores on the loose. The ending shows Dinos & modern life co-existing and not much in between.

It's a lot easier once you ignore the intricacies. It's got plenty of great Dino action and moments (even if the Maltese chase is a bit overlong). The Therizinosaurus and fellow newcomer Pyroraptor make for spectacular Dino designs. The super locusts are creepy and their swarming around is nightmarish. The Velociraptors' CGI is still obvious after all this time, but the related Atrociraptors are much better realized. Once again, the Dino action is set to yet another spectacular score by Michael Giacchino.

There's some great character focus amidst the large cast. The best focus is on Dr. Wu (BD Wong), who has finally repented for his mistakes from the last films. Maisie also learns about her true genetic origins in a few good scenes. There's a nice scene where she helps a few mill workers redirect some errant Apatosauruses. Malcolm and Biosyn whistleblower Ramsay Cole (Mamoudou Athie) have some tense moments spilling the beans to our heroes amidst heavy security. Malcolm also has some of the best lines, again.

It promises to be the end of the Jurassic Saga. But who knows nowadays? As it stands, Dominion is a good way to spend a summer matinee as you wait further blockbusters. It works best if you don't ask questions and watch the Dinos. It's not a perfect movie but it's not unbearable. You can choose when and how to see it or even wait those further blockbusters. I'll be ready to review a few.