Jurassic World Dominion Is More of The Same

 I remember the first time I saw Jurassic Park.  I was a little kid, and my interactions with dinosaurs had been mainly with the animated series Dino-Riders (check it out) and the legendary animated film, The Land Before Time.  What I got from that first Jurassic film is a childhood trauma that to this day scares the hell out of me.  These dinos were not Little Foot and Ducky.  They killed a lot of people, and were scary, and I used to imagine a T-Rex was outside my window at night as I tried to sleep.  But as I grew up more of these films came out and they became less scary to me, and less entertaining.

In the sixth film of this franchise the current cast and the old cast unite to take down a corporate billionaire who is trying to exploit the dinosaurs, but something goes wrong, and they are all running for their lives trying to escape the scary dinos.  Which is pretty much the plot to most of these Jurassic films.  But that's why we see these films. To see the people get eaten by the T-Rex, and hunted by the Raptors. 

The first Jurassic Park film was mind-blowing in both effects and story, but the others that followed lacked the same originality.  When Jurassic World came out, I felt like the franchise had something new to say, at least to me, but has since gone back to being stale popcorn films.  Jurassic World Dominion is no different.  The basic premise of the film branches off from the previous installment, Fallen Kingdom, but when you try to build a story on top of one that wasn't so great, it makes your story not so great either because you're not starting on solid ground.  

Let's start with the OG cast.  Sam Neill and Laura Dern return as Alan and Ellie, once former lovers who have lived their lives and now looks like are going to reconcile.  They are on a mission to prove Jeff Bezos, I mean Elon Musk, I mean some super rich guy is using mega locust to take out crops that aren't his so he can control the world's food supply and get even more wealthy and crazy.  Jeff Goldblum is also back as Malcolm and is pretty much there just for jokes and quips.

What I missed from this film however was the jokes and quips of Chris Pratt.  He and Bryce Dallas Howard are back from a third time to try and protect their foster daughter Maisie and try and get Blue's baby back from the evil rich dude.  This film also lacked my boy Blue.  Pratt played it pretty serious the entire film and I don't think he cracked one joke the whole film, which not why I go to see Chirs Pratt in films.  I mean, I enjoyed The Tomorrow War without a lot of Pratt jokes, but I think that film is better than Dominion.

I'm not saying the film is bad.  It was just what I've come to expect from a Jurassic film.  But really, I also felt like nothing happened.  At the beginning of the film the dinosaurs are out in the world, and humans are trying to integrate them into the society.  By the end of the film nothing has changed except the locust problem was solved. Fallen Kingdom wasn't great in my opinion, but at least it changed the franchise rules to where tinstead of the dinos being on the island they were set free in the world.  And that's still where we're at by the end of Dominion.  

I don't believe this is the end of the franchise.  It's just the end if the actor's contracts.  In less than ten years we'll get a new Jurassic film with a different cast.  These movies make way too much money to just go away.  We watch them to see dinosaurs eating people, and as long as we get that, that's all we need to see to part with our money. But if I can make a suggestion for a Dino-Riders spin-off, I think we can see something really bonkers!

'Jurassic World' Brings Extinct Franchise Back To Life

Whenever my friends and I are just sitting around, shooting the shit, occasionally the topic of scary movies come up.  Most people say films like It, Halloween, or Friday the 13th as the film that scared them the most.  For me, it was a movie I saw as a kid called Jurassic Park.  At that point in my life the main dinosaurs I watched were in The Land Before Time.  They were cute, happy, and sweet.  My view about these extinct creatures changed after I saw a cup of water vibrate.

Twenty years later ol' T-Rex is back to try and scare the hell out of me again.  Jurassic World is the fourth film in the franchise, but luckily for all of us we can just forget the last two ever happened and go straight to Chris Pratt taming raptors.  John Hammond's vision has been brought to life as Jurassic World is a huge success, but the scientists and creators of this theme park aren't satisfied.  They've created a new dinosaur all their own.  And like A.I., we know that humans creating new life and playing God never works out.

From the moment the John Williams score roared off the screen I was transported back twenty years as I saw something familiar, but also something new. Director Colin Trevorrow was able to recapture the tone and appeal of the original film, which I'm a bit surprised how well he did given his small directing experience.  Chris Pratt, having just come off the mega Marvel hit, Guardians of the Galaxy, shines once again as the lead.  I wasn't sure if to expect Star-Lord in this film or not, and was pleasantly surprised when he played a bit more serious and rough character, but still with a little humor.  Opposite Pratt is Bryce Dallas Howard, who plays the serious, cold, uptight, park runner whom Pratt has to thaw throughout the film. I felt like her character was very stereotypical with not a lot of originality to her, but still played off of Pratt pretty well.  I just don't believe she lasted the entire film wearing those high heeled shoes!

All the other actors seem insignificant next to the dinosaurs.  It was a pleasure to see the raptors evolve out of their usual serial killer role in the franchise to more of a White Fang metamorphosis of wild-beast-turned-man's-best-friend.  I'd definitely want Blue as my pet.  The action was great, I loved seeing some dino on dino fight sequences, and as I watched my wife squirm in the seat next to me I think the suspense of the film worked as well.

I've heard the film makers have several sequels already planned and judging by the little easter eggs in the movie I believe it's true.  From the cleaning out of the lab, too the scarred T-Rex at the end looking over his kingdom.  And I think we all want to see a reunion of Owen and Blue.  I'm sure they'll bring Chris Pratt back, and hopefully the two brothers will continue to play a significant role in the franchise; otherwise their heart to heart talk I believe is a waste.  I think the only expendable one of the main four is Howard.  We'll see if Opie's daughter has made enough of an impression to survive to another film.

My wife wants to go back and see the movie in 3-D, and she HATES 3-D,  so she really must have liked the film.  I'm fine waiting till I buy it on blu-ray, but I am drooling over what the special features will include.  I want see an interview with the actor who decided to save his two margaritas as the pterodactyls attacked!  I'm glad Jurassic World is breaking box office records.  It's a rare film everyone can enjoy that doesn't seemed dumbed-down for any age group.  I'm also now excited to see where the franchise continues from here.  Just as long as they don't turn the sequels into musicals I think it'll be alright.  Trust me, that stuff ruins dinosaur franchises.  

RATING:  B+

My Top 12 Movies To See In 2015

The holidays can be a busy time.  With all the extra hours of work, holiday parties, and family time, a fella may not have time for things like routine exercise, eating three healthy meals a day, or writing his bi-weekly blog.  But now that the shroud of Christmas has past there is just New Years Eve standing between all of us and the slew of movies that await us in the new year.

While some sites are trying to think of fifteen movies they are excited to see in 2015 I decided not to play that game.  Twelve is my lucky number, so I'm sticking with twelve. Sure that cuts off films like Marvel's Ant-Man and the final Hunger Games movie; both in my Top 15,  But if nothing else, I'm a creature of habit.  

12)  KINGSMAN: THE SECRET SERVICE (Feb. 13)

I just recently read the graphic novel this film is based on and quite enjoyed it.  Though, from the look of the trailer, the film may play out a little different.  Colin Firth recruits a young hoodlum to join the most prestigious group in Britain and mold him into a spy in order to stop Samuel L. Jackson from doing something I'm sure a Bond villain would have thought of.

11) THE AGE OF ADALINE (April 24)

Blake Lively stars in a film about a woman who has an accident in the early 20th century and can no longer age.  She tries to spend immortality not getting close to anyone but of course she eventually finds someone she could love forever.  She'll just have to learn to change his diapers in forty years.

This film intrigues me because usually you have to kill people in order to live forever.  Just see the Highlander films or any vampire flick.  She is immortal, but she doesn't have to kill to stay young?  Also, I think Blake Lively has great potential as an actress. Could this be her Benjamin Button? 

10) CHAPPIE (March 6)

From the director who brought us District 9 comes the tale of a robot that learns to be more human and think for itself.  But unlike anything other film, Chappie is hunted down for what he is.  Ok, you're right, it does sound like Short Circuit.  Oh well.

While I never got around to seeing Elysium, District 9 was such a delightful surprise for me I'm willing to give Neil Blomkamp the benefit of the doubt.  Plus, the film stars Hugh Jackman and Sigourney Weaver.  I'm hooked just with those two names.

9) FANTASTIC FOUR  (August 7)

Nothing I've heard about this movie has made me feel good about it except the cast.  I love Miles Teller and Michael B. Jordan.  I also give credit to Kate Mara and Jamie Bell as well in their acting abilities.  Beyond that, the changes they are making from the source material is why this film is not higher on my list.

I know everyone hates on the 2005 film, but as a guy who knows more than the average moviegoer about the FF I was entertained by it.  This film appears to be going with the Ultimate Fantastic Four angle.  Instead of cosmic rays, the four friends get their powers by entering something called the N-Zone, or Negative Zone, as most fan boys know it by.  I liked Chronicle, so here's hoping Josh Trank doesn't let too many chefs in the kitchen if you catch my drift. 

8) VACATION (Oct. 9)

The next National Lampoons film so far is just titled "Vacation" and will be directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein, whom most notably wrote both of the Horrible Boss movies.  The film is set to star Ed Helms as Rusty Griswald.  Rusty decides to take his own family on the vacation from hell; much like the original movie. 

Chris Hemsworth, Leslie Mann, and Charlie Day are all set to co-star in the film; with an appearance by Chevy Chase and Beverly D'Angelo.  I loved the Vacation films growing up.  Just take my money now.

7) PAN (July 24)

I'm a big Peter Pan fan so when a prequel film was announced to come out I made sure to watch quite a few films directed by Joe Wright.  Just look at any film Keira Knightly has done in the past decade.  Chances are it was a Joe Wright film.

Hugh Jackman stars as Blackbeard the pirate and Garrett Hudlund as Captain Hook, but before he gets the hook.  Levi Miller is the boy chosen to play Peter; the soon-to-be legendary hero.  It's got the stars and the mythical legend, but why isn't Knightly playing Tinkerbell?  She already lent her voice to the pixie in a TV movie.

6) JURASSIC WORLD (June 12)

My enjoyment of the Jurassic Park franchise ended after the credits of the first film rolled.  Sure Jeff Goldblum and Julianne Moore were enough to get me to see the sequel, but by the third film they were just beating a dead horse; again.

Twenty-two years after the events of the first film John Hammond's vision is realized as people go to a theme park to see dinosaurs.  However, man has again played god by making their own dinosaurs.  Let's see how that goes for them.  Chris Pratt stars in this film, which looks like the new twist could give this franchise fresh legs to run.  Let's find out.

5)  007: SPECTRE (Nov. 6)

Daniel Craig returns as James Bond for the fourth time and is bringing a barrel of talent with him.  From Christoph Waltz to Ralph Fiennes this film looks like it could surpass Casino Royale as my favorite Bond film.  

James in the hunt for the sinister organization known as Spectre, which I'm hoping is the crime syndicate Craig was on the verge of uncovering in his first two films.  I was sad that Skyfall didn't continue that storyline, but make Christoph Waltz the main villain, and Dave Bautista his main henchman, and all will be forgiven.

4) TERMINATOR: GENISYS (July 1)

We all know the last good Terminator film was all the way back in 1991.  However, I felt like Rise of the Machines had a few good moments, but their are no words as to what the hell Salvation was.  Alan Taylor, best know for directing Game of Thrones episodes and the Thor sequel, will try and re-ignite this long dead film franchise.

From the first trailer it appears that Kyle Reese goes back in time to save Sarah Connor; just like the first film.  Only Kyle does not find a helpless waitress.  Instead Sarah was raised by a Terminator and is all set to stop Judgement Day.  Arnold is back, along with Emilia Clarke and Jai Courtney, and looks like they will be using the Star Trek/X-Men loophole of erasing the past to give the franchise a new future.

3) ENTOURAGE  (June 5)

While I wasn't to psyched about the way the HBO series ended I could not be more excited for this film.  Not much is known about the film's plot with the first teaser trailer recently released.  But it's the further adventures of E, Vince, Drama, Turtle, and Ari in Hollywood.  Sex and the City got two films made.  I don't see why Entourage can't either.

2) AVENGERS: AGE OF ULTRON (May 1)

Earth's mightiest heroes are back at it as Joss Whedon once again directs this anchor in Marvel's Cinematic Universe.  In the sequel, Tony Stark tries to restart a peace keeping program that goes horribly wrong and results in the creation of Ultron; an artificial intelligence who thinks the only way to save the world is to eradicate the human lives inhabiting it.

All the familiar faces are back, along with a few new ones like Aaron-Taylor Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen as Quicksilver and the Scarlet Witch.  But this isn't the same Quicksilver from X-Men: Day of Future Past, nor are either of them mutants.  Fox has forbid them from having any relation to the X-Men.  Whatever, it'll still be awesome!

1) STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS (Dec. 18)

Forget the rest of this list.  If I could only see one film in 2015 this would be it.  J.J. Abrams is going to try and make us all forget about how bad the prequel films were and how awesome Star Wars really is.  Almost nothing is known about the plot of the film, except that it is set 30 years after the events in Return of the Jedi and Mark Hamill, Harrison Ford, and Carrie Fisher will all be back to reprise their iconic characters.

You could just show me the announcement trailer over and over again and I will still plan on seeing this film at least four times in the theater.  After a midnight viewing of The Avengers I swore off all future midnight shows.  It was full annoying teenagers who made the experience horrible.  However, I may have to break that rule for this event.  I just have to decide which lightsaber to bring.