The highly anticipated Jurassic World Rebirth arrives as the seventh entry in a franchise that once redefined cinematic wonder. Yet despite its promise of revitalization and an all-star cast, the film struggles to live up to its legacy. In this Jurassic World Rebirth review 2025, we find that dazzling effects and familiar thrills are no longer enough to mask a formula that feels worn and uninspired.
A Familiar Setup in Jurassic World Rebirth
Starring Scarlett Johansson as mercenary Zora Bennett and Jonathan Bailey as palaeontologist Dr. Henry Loomis, the film follows a mission to retrieve dinosaur DNA from a dangerous island where past experiments went wrong. Their goal? To harness prehistoric genes to develop a miracle drug for heart disease – and generate massive profits.
The plot mirrors the original Jurassic Park structure: a scientific pursuit that spirals out of control. While the premise holds promise, the film never fully commits to originality. It plays it safe, echoing story beats we’ve seen for over three decades, now without the tension that made the original unforgettable.
Subplots That Outshine the Main Narrative
Oddly enough, the subplot involving a stranded family proves far more engaging than the central story. Manuel Garcia-Rulfo plays Reuben, a father on a boat trip with his daughters Teresa (Luna Blaise) and Isabella (Audrina Miranda), along with Teresa’s boyfriend Xavier (David Iacono). Their adventure begins with a gripping Mosasaur attack that evokes Jaws-style suspense.
As the family is separated on the island, their storyline carries more weight and emotion. The stakes feel real, the dangers more immediate. Unlike the stars, who are unlikely to meet a grim fate, the family’s vulnerability provides genuine tension. This dynamic makes the central expedition – led by Zora and Henry – feel oddly muted in comparison.
Weak Thrills and Underused Stars in Jurassic World Rebirth
Despite Scarlett Johansson’s action credentials and Bailey’s charisma, their characters lack tension-filled arcs. Director Gareth Edwards, known for “Rogue One” and “The Creator,” keeps the stars too distant from the teeth and claws of the film’s primary attraction — the dinosaurs. Even when Henry dangles from a cliff, the moment feels like a stale cliché rather than a pulse-raising set piece.
In an awkward attempt at humor, Edwards includes repetitive scenes of Henry chewing mints, which land more as distractions than character-building moments. The pacing drags in the middle, and the island never quite becomes the thrilling landscape it should be.
Jurassic Creatures: Awe Over Fear
Rebirth does deliver when it comes to the design and scale of its prehistoric cast. The Titanosaurus, Quetzalcoatlus, and Mosasaurus dominate the screen with striking visuals. In one particularly majestic scene, herds of long-necked dinosaurs graze peacefully under soaring orchestral music. Composer Alexandre Desplat integrates John Williams’ original theme beautifully, reigniting nostalgic awe.
Yet the sheer beauty of these creatures can’t compensate for the lack of real suspense. The film leans too much into wonder and not enough into fear — a misstep in a series that once thrived on nail-biting tension.
Jurassic World Rebirth Review 2025: A Franchise in Decline?
Despite Spielberg’s reported involvement in shaping the story, the absence of his directorial presence is deeply felt. Edwards tries to honor the spirit of the original but doesn’t take bold enough risks to evolve the franchise. While the visuals are technically impressive and the cast is talented, Rebirth lacks the magic – and menace – that made Jurassic Park a timeless classic.
Final Verdict: Has Dino Fatigue Set In?
The line in the film that says “public interest waned” in dinosaurs may unintentionally reflect reality. With Jurassic World Rebirth, the franchise continues, but perhaps not with the roaring success it once knew. For devoted fans, it may be a passable chapter. For newcomers, it’s a lukewarm introduction.
This Jurassic World Rebirth review 2025 finds the latest dino outing beautiful to watch but emotionally hollow — more spectacle than storytelling, more repetition than rebirth.
