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As the Jurassic Park franchise gets ready to finally enter a more lasting slumber, Jurassic World Dominion is the perfect reminder for fans and studios that too much of a good thing can be bad. That is because Dominion, more than ever, mirrors Universal walking down the same path the film’s scientists have always fallen prey to: reviving that which must not be brought back.
It’s a known fact among sci-fi aficionados and mainstream audiences that the original Jurassic Park, along with Michael Crichton's first novel, are both absolute gems for the genre. The movie is not only critically lauded, but is also considered one Steven Spielberg’s finest works, which really says a lot. After a couple of tumultuous decades, Universal has somehow managed to commit the same mistake twice by churning out two more unnecessary Jurassic World sequels that mirror the first trilogy’s issues, only now made even worse.
When It’s Time To Stop
Unlike Hollywood studios, an author like Crichton knew he could only pull off the same trick twice, which is why his two novels about genetically modified dinosaurs are considered true science fiction classics and no one ever got tired of them. That’s where the problems start to pile on for the franchise. Everything since Jurassic Park 3 has lacked a real foundation written by the man who made dinosaurs such a big part of pop culture in the first place.
One of the keys to understanding Crichton’s role in the franchise’s success comes from reading his first novel, which relies much more on creating moments of tension and sudden outbursts of violence than the actual substance his characters tend to have. Suffice to say, Crichton’s role in the first two Jurassic Park movies was limited, especially the first one, but his writing still did inspire the larger overarching story in The Lost World, a flawed sequel but unarguably the best one.
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What happens in return is that, for all its glory, Jurassic Park is not filled with Luke Skywalkers of any sort. Instead, its characters fall to the background as this dinosaur thriller unfolds through masterfully executed sequences. That Jurassic Park is directed by the same man who made Jaws only helps drive home this idea, and despite all of Jeff Goldblum’s charm, few would argue that the first two films are less character-driven but rather moved by its larger story and moments of tension.
The idea of T. Rex eating someone alive was present in Crichton’s first novel, yet only used in the second film. It’s these types of chilling moments (and the buildup that leads to them) that made Jurassic Park great. Without them, Jurassic Park 3 was doomed for failure, which is why it is among the worst Jurassic Park movies ever made.
Enter Jurassic World
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It would have probably been for the better to let Jurassic Park die after the second movie. Nevertheless, with those memories eclipsed by the passage of a full decade, Universal brought in Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, alongside director Colin Trevorrow. The result is Jurassic World, possibly the best franchise entry outside of the two initial movies.
More than anything, Jurassic World is a modernized opportunity to see the Isla Nublar park completed, to see these dinosaurs fulfill their preservation and recreational purposes as first intended by John Hammond. The movie’s overwhelming success it’s not hard to understand. Jurassic World came out after years of Hollywood banking on the public’s nostalgia, it’s a very entertaining and visually accomplished movie, but more than anything, dinosaurs — even featherless ones — remain every bit as cool as they were in the early 90s.
That’s not the only thing that’s stayed the same. Pratt’s Owen comes off as an even flatter version than his predecessors, and Claire doesn't set the bar too high either. Still, both of them are easy to overlook in exchange for a dinosaur joyride. Overlooking that for two more installments, however is not, which is why the latest film is ultimately viewed by most as the franchise’s worst outing.
The Jurassic Park franchise is a victim of the very catastrophes Crichton often warned about: that just because something can be done doesn’t mean one should. Technological advancements are not enough to justify making two more Jurassic World films, just like they're not enough to back up creating an Indominus rex hybrid. Bringing back the entire cast from the first Jurassic Park trilogy is the last trick the studio could have come up with to incite interest in the franchise, and it works to a certain degree. It’s nice to see them all back, but just like Pratt can’t be blamed for Jurassic World’s lackluster stories, neither can the old gang be expected magically conjure the charm of Spielberg's first two movies or Crichton’s books.
Regardless, Jurassic World Dominion will do its thing. It will present to the world the best-looking dinosaurs modern innovation can create, make a lot of money, and leave enthusiasts of those first two films with a sour aftertaste after watching. It's just like the park itself: an avoidable event, minus all the casualties and ensuing destruction.