#SHOWBIZ: 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' rumbles, but doesn't quite roar
Directed by the visually astute Gareth Edwards, whose previous works have always promised a cinematic spectacle, this latest entry into the prehistoric monster mash aimed to, well, re-birth the magic.
Did it succeed? Sort of, if you squint and have a generous imagination.
Let's get straight to it: the good news is, if you're heading to the cinema for one thing and one thing only – big, stomping, toothy dinosaurs – then 'Rebirth' delivers on the CGI front.
Edwards has a knack for making these ancient beasts look genuinely menacing and awe-inspiring, especially when they're caught in tense, shadowy close-ups or tearing through the jungle.
The visual feast is undeniable, and on a giant screen, the sheer scale of it all is, frankly, thrilling.
There's a particular sequence involving a rather unamused T-Rex and a makeshift raft that had me clutching my popcorn.
Pure, unadulterated Jurassic fun for a few glorious minutes.
But – and you knew there was a "but", didn't you? – beyond the visual razzle-dazzle, 'Rebirth' feels less like a fresh start and more like a gentle, albeit well-intended, re-tread.
The storyline, unfortunately, is as thin as a single strand of ancient mosquito DNA.
We've got new characters – a rather charming Scarlett Johansson and a surprisingly enthusiastic Jonathan Bailey as the paleontologist Dr Loomis (who, bless him, tries his best to inject some much-needed life into the proceedings) – embarking on a mission to, wait for it, collect dinosaur DNA.
For a heart disease cure. Yes, you read that right. While it's a novel enough premise, it often feels like a rather flimsy excuse to get our protagonists into ever-increasing peril.
One of the biggest gripes was the pacing. The film starts off at a leisurely, almost plodding, pace.
A significant chunk of the first act is spent on a boat, and while I appreciate a good build-up, this felt more like a gentle cruise than a tension-filled expedition.
Then, just as you start to wonder if anyone will ever get eaten, the film suddenly slams on the accelerator in the final act, rushing through what could have been genuinely thrilling set pieces.
And the new dinosaurs? The much-hyped "mutated" D-Rex and Mutadons, while visually impressive, felt a tad generic.
They roar, they chase, they look scary – but they lack the distinct personality and terrifying ingenuity of the franchise's earlier, more iconic monsters.
It's hard to feel genuine dread when the villainous creatures feel like, well, just another CGI monster.
So, is 'Jurassic World Rebirth' worth making a trip to the cinema? If you're a die-hard fan desperate for a dinosaur fix on the biggest screen possible, and you're willing to overlook a familiar plot and some uneven pacing, then yes, the visual spectacle alone might justify the excursion.
But if you're hoping for a genuinely fresh, innovative, or deeply engaging chapter in the Jurassic saga, you might find yourself wishing for a bit more roar and a little less whimper.
It's entertaining enough for a popcorn flick, but don't expect a rebirth of the franchise's golden age.
This movie would certainly appeal more to kids than to older mammals out to scratch their cinematic itch.
NOW SHOWING
JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH
STARRING Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, Audrina Miranda, Philippine Velge, Bechir Sylvain, Ed Skrein
DURATION: 134 mins
CLASSIFICATION: 13
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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' rumbles, but doesn't quite roar
SO, the dinosaurs are back. Again. And if you're anything like me, your inner child (or just the part of you that still secretly wishes for a pet Velociraptor) probably did a little happy dance when 'Jurassic World: Rebirth' first splashed across the screens. Directed by the visually astute Gareth Edwards, whose previous works have always promised a cinematic spectacle, this latest entry into the prehistoric monster mash aimed to, well, re-birth the magic. Did it succeed? Sort of, if you squint and have a generous imagination. Let's get straight to it: the good news is, if you're heading to the cinema for one thing and one thing only – big, stomping, toothy dinosaurs – then 'Rebirth' delivers on the CGI front. Edwards has a knack for making these ancient beasts look genuinely menacing and awe-inspiring, especially when they're caught in tense, shadowy close-ups or tearing through the jungle. The visual feast is undeniable, and on a giant screen, the sheer scale of it all is, frankly, thrilling. There's a particular sequence involving a rather unamused T-Rex and a makeshift raft that had me clutching my popcorn. Pure, unadulterated Jurassic fun for a few glorious minutes. But – and you knew there was a "but", didn't you? – beyond the visual razzle-dazzle, 'Rebirth' feels less like a fresh start and more like a gentle, albeit well-intended, re-tread. The storyline, unfortunately, is as thin as a single strand of ancient mosquito DNA. We've got new characters – a rather charming Scarlett Johansson and a surprisingly enthusiastic Jonathan Bailey as the paleontologist Dr Loomis (who, bless him, tries his best to inject some much-needed life into the proceedings) – embarking on a mission to, wait for it, collect dinosaur DNA. For a heart disease cure. Yes, you read that right. While it's a novel enough premise, it often feels like a rather flimsy excuse to get our protagonists into ever-increasing peril. One of the biggest gripes was the pacing. The film starts off at a leisurely, almost plodding, pace. A significant chunk of the first act is spent on a boat, and while I appreciate a good build-up, this felt more like a gentle cruise than a tension-filled expedition. Then, just as you start to wonder if anyone will ever get eaten, the film suddenly slams on the accelerator in the final act, rushing through what could have been genuinely thrilling set pieces. And the new dinosaurs? The much-hyped "mutated" D-Rex and Mutadons, while visually impressive, felt a tad generic. They roar, they chase, they look scary – but they lack the distinct personality and terrifying ingenuity of the franchise's earlier, more iconic monsters. It's hard to feel genuine dread when the villainous creatures feel like, well, just another CGI monster. So, is 'Jurassic World Rebirth' worth making a trip to the cinema? If you're a die-hard fan desperate for a dinosaur fix on the biggest screen possible, and you're willing to overlook a familiar plot and some uneven pacing, then yes, the visual spectacle alone might justify the excursion. But if you're hoping for a genuinely fresh, innovative, or deeply engaging chapter in the Jurassic saga, you might find yourself wishing for a bit more roar and a little less whimper. It's entertaining enough for a popcorn flick, but don't expect a rebirth of the franchise's golden age. This movie would certainly appeal more to kids than to older mammals out to scratch their cinematic itch. NOW SHOWING JURASSIC WORLD: REBIRTH STARRING Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, Luna Blaise, David Iacono, Audrina Miranda, Philippine Velge, Bechir Sylvain, Ed Skrein DURATION: 134 mins CLASSIFICATION: 13
The Sun
4 days ago
- The Sun
Dinosaurs make serviceable return
THERE is a comforting familiarity to Jurassic World Rebirth, the seventh instalment in the long-running Jurassic franchise and a standalone sequel to Dominion. It is big, it is loud and yes, it has dinosaurs. Not too many, mind, but enough to keep the scales of nostalgia tipping just slightly in the film's favour. Directed by Gareth Edwards (Rogue One) and written by original Jurassic Park scribe David Koepp, Rebirth brings back the dino-mayhem blueprint that has delighted fans since 1993 – send a group of highly trained (or hilariously underprepared) humans into a remote island full of prehistoric predators, stir in a corporate agenda and let the chaos unfold. It is nothing groundbreaking, but as far as cinematic comfort food goes, this one is served reasonably warm. The humans are... there Headlining this summer's prehistoric parade is Scarlett Johansson as covert ops specialist Zora Bennett, a character that, despite Johansson's undeniable screen presence, often feels written by committee. Her team includes Mahershala Ali as Duncan Kincaid and Jonathan Bailey as Dr Henry Loomis, the film's designated brain with a heart. The dynamic trio is joined by a rotating cast of civilians and crew members whose screen time hovers somewhere between 'mildly essential' and 'why are you here again?' Truthfully, the human characters in Rebirth are a bit of a mixed bag. Some scenes deliver genuine chemistry, while others veer into full-on awkward territory, particularly when characters engage in clunky exposition or try too hard to be witty. Still, the cast gives it a decent go and while some moments border on cringe, there is a strange charm to how earnestly everyone throws themselves into the chaos. Over time, the awkwardness begins to feel almost endearing like watching a school play where half the cast are Oscar nominees and the other half wandered in from a sunscreen commercial. Bailey deserves an upgrade If there is one standout in the ensemble, it is Bailey. As the team's resident palaeontologist, he strikes the right balance between wide-eyed dino awe and quiet intellect. He brings a grounded energy to the film that keeps it from tipping too far into self-parody. Bailey plays Loomis like someone who walked in from a more serious movie and it works. His performance is perhaps the film's most consistent, even when the script occasionally lets the character drift. It is easy to imagine him fronting future entries in the franchise, should Universal decide to keep the bones of Rebirth alive. And if so, here is hoping they write more for him to do. Dino-light, franchise-heavy Here is the twist: for a film that bears the name Jurassic, Rebirth feels slightly underpopulated in the dinosaur department. Yes, the creatures show up and when they do, it is thrilling, the usual mix of stomping, snapping and strategic slow reveals. But in between those moments are long stretches focused on human tension, moral dilemmas and... dialogue. A lot of dialogue. There is an expectation, especially among franchise loyalists, for dinosaurs to dominate the screen. Instead, Rebirth sometimes sidelines its scaly stars in favour of plot-heavy missions and side character interactions that may or may not lead anywhere. It is not a deal-breaker, but it does leave one wondering if the film could have used at least five more minutes of uninterrupted dino panic. Maybe ten. Good enough and then some In truth, Jurassic World Rebirth is one of those rare sequels that knows exactly what it is: a mid-tier, high-budget romp that will absolutely land with the franchise's faithful and potentially win over curious newcomers with its slick visuals and high-stakes jungle shenanigans. For returning fans, the allure is simple: dinosaurs are back, the score swells nostalgically and there is enough connective tissue to earlier films to feel like a worthy entry. For casual viewers, the appeal lies in its self-contained storyline and spectacle, a blockbuster with just enough meat on the bone to make the ticket worthwhile. Some characters feel unnecessary, others grow on the audience over time. Bring the popcorn, lower the expectations Rebirth does not reinvent the fossil, but it does not have to. It delivers serviceable thrills, a decent dose of dino drama and one or two standout performances, all wrapped in the comforting cocoon of franchise familiarity. Some characters feel unnecessary, others grow on the audience over time and while the story never breaks new ground, it never completely loses its footing either. If anything, the biggest gripe is not about pacing or plot, it is that the dinosaurs deserved more screen time. In a movie titled Jurassic World Rebirth, there should be more... Jurassic. Still, for a summer blockbuster, it is good enough. Just do not expect it to be Jurassic Park all over again. Instead, accept it for what it is: a surprisingly watchable sequel with the occasional cringe, the occasional cheer and most importantly, dinosaurs. Because at the end of the day, no matter the plot holes, awkward character beats or missing T. rex minutes, one simple truth remains: People will always come back for the dinosaurs. CAST: Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, Rupert Friend, Mahershala Ali, Luna Blaise E-VALUE: 6/10 PLOT: 5/10 ACTING: 6/10
Daily Express
5 days ago
- Daily Express
Malaysian dinosaur fossils: Rare but real
Published on: Monday, July 14, 2025 Published on: Mon, Jul 14, 2025 Text Size: An AI-generated image of a Spinosaurus, with the fossilised tooth (inset) discovered in Pahang. AS Jurassic World: Rebirth draws crowds to cinemas, some Malaysians may be wondering if their own country once hosted real dinosaurs. While iconic names like Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops are mostly associated with North America, dinosaurs lived across the globe – including what is now Malaysia. In fact, the first confirmed dinosaur fossil in Malaysia was unearthed in Bera, Pahang, back in 2014. A Malaysian-Japanese research team discovered a 23mm tooth fragment believed to belong to a spinosaurid, a fish-eating dinosaur related to the famed Spinosaurus. The fossil, estimated to be 75 million years old, dates to the Late Cretaceous period and marks a key scientific milestone for the country. Subsequent digs in the same region led to the discovery of more fossils believed to belong to ornithischian dinosaurs – a large group of mostly herbivorous species. Familiar names like Stegosaurus and Triceratops fall within this category, characterised by bird-like hip structures. Elsewhere in Malaysia, more finds have surfaced, including a 2014 expedition in Hulu Terengganu that uncovered fossilised teeth and dinosaur footprints. Among them were impressions believed to belong to an Iguanodon and two other types: a long-necked sauropod and a meat-eating theropod. Although Iguanodon is now considered a 'wastebasket' taxon due to past misclassifications, the find still fuels excitement and scientific interest. Palaeontologists caution that the exact locations of these discoveries are often kept confidential to prevent fossil theft and preserve their scientific value. Despite the challenges posed by Malaysia's tropical climate, dense rainforests, and limited local expertise, there is growing support to uncover more of the country's prehistoric past. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
