The Jurassic World Franchise Wrote a Check That the Rebirth Trailer Refuses to Cash

Jurassic World: Rebirth's First Trailer: A Prehistoric Step Back?

The first trailer for Jurassic World: Rebirth, the seventh installment in the Jurassic Park franchise, has arrived. Directed by Gareth Edwards and boasting a new cast including Scarlett Johansson, Jonathan Bailey, and Mahershala Ali (alongside the return of original screenwriter David Koepp), the film promises a "new era" following the Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard trilogy. However, the trailer's premise suggests a potential regression for the series. Where is the globally-integrated dinosaur world hinted at in Fallen Kingdom and Dominion?

The trailer showcases impressive dinosaur visuals, benefiting from Edwards' expertise in large-scale VFX. The dinosaurs' movement and the attention to detail in lighting and proportions are noteworthy achievements, especially considering the reportedly short production timeline (February to June 2024). While the new cast remains largely unproven, the action sequences appear promising, and ample dinosaur screen time is evident – a welcome relief given past inconsistencies.

Despite initial optimism, a significant concern overshadows the trailer: the apparent abandonment of the "world of dinosaurs" concept established in Fallen Kingdom. The film seemingly returns to the familiar trope of a secluded island habitat, this time described as the original Jurassic Park research facility. This contradicts previous continuity and represents a missed opportunity to capitalize on the global dinosaur scenario established in the previous trilogy.

The official synopsis explains that five years after Dominion, the planet’s ecology proves inhospitable to dinosaurs, forcing their survival to isolated equatorial regions. This feels like an unnecessary retcon, particularly given the efforts to establish a sprawling dinosaur-inhabited world in the preceding films. Dominion's depiction of dinosaurs thriving in diverse environments, including urban settings, directly contradicts this new narrative.

The franchise's consistent box office success makes it a safe bet for Hollywood, yet this reliance on established formulas hinders its potential for innovation. While the trailer might conceal further surprises (the film's original title, "Jurassic City," hints at a different setting), a departure from the tired tropical island setting is long overdue. The series needs to embrace bolder creative choices and explore uncharted territory to fully realize its potential. While the trailer offers some cause for cautious optimism, the question remains: will Jurassic World: Rebirth finally break free from the franchise's self-imposed limitations?

Jurassic World Rebirth - Trailer 1 Stills

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