The Jurassic World and Jurassic Park trilogies share a similar narrative arc: the initial installment excels (though Jurassic Park remains superior to Jurassic World), while the second film presents compelling moments but falters towards its conclusion (similarly, Jurassic Park: The Lost World surpasses Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom). As we arrive at the third film, I was eager to assess whether Jurassic World: Dominion would surpass or fall short of Jurassic Park III.
Jurassic World: Dominion is set four years after the destruction of Isla Nublar, with dinosaurs now integrated into the global ecosystem. These prehistoric creatures have adapted to the modern world, and encountering a living dinosaur is increasingly common. Biosyn continues its pursuit of Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon), rescued by Owen (Chris Pratt) and Claire (Bryce Dallas Howard) in the previous film. Simultaneously, giant locusts decimate crops, prompting Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) to seek a solution with the aid of Alan Grant (Sam Neill). Ian Malcolm (Jeff Bridges), a chaos theorist, uncovers information that he shares with his former colleagues. Maisie’s capture triggers a series of events, uniting the protagonists on a collision course with a conflict millennia in the making.
Jurassic World: Dominion exhibits inconsistent quality. The narrative feels disjointed, resembling two separate films merged into one. The integration of the original cast from Park with the new characters from World appears somewhat contrived, requiring considerable effort from the filmmakers to achieve a semblance of cohesion.
One particular scene where all characters converge highlights Colin Trevorrow’s struggle to effectively manage seven main characters simultaneously. The sequence of the group cautiously navigating around a car borders on the comical. However, the film deserves credit for ensuring that Laura Dern, Sam Neill, and Jeff Goldblum are not mere cameos, but integral to the plot. The issue is that Pratt’s and Howard’s performances are overshadowed by the original cast’s presence. A more effective approach might have been to create two distinct films: one focusing on the Park characters and another on the World characters, perhaps culminating in a brief interaction at the end of each narrative.
Jurassic World: Dominion is now available in two versions for home viewing: the theatrical release and an extended version with approximately 14 minutes of additional footage. Given the film’s already substantial length, the extended version initially seemed potentially detrimental. However, the added content proves beneficial, incorporating additional action sequences, a stylish introduction, and enhanced emotional depth previously lacking. Notably, a brief scene between Pratt and Howard strengthens their relationship and provides greater character development. The extended version is recommended, despite its nearly three-hour runtime.
The Ultra HD edition delivers pristine visuals with HEVC H.265 encoding and Dolby Vision HDR. The film’s use of both traditional 35mm and 65mm film, alongside cutting-edge 8K cameras, creates a balanced and immersive image. The blend of cinematic and polished modern aesthetics is particularly effective. The fiery climax showcases exceptional detail and realistic color reproduction, with no noticeable bleeding.
Unlike many UHD releases, the audio is presented in DTS: X rather than Dolby Atmos. The sound design is exceptionally well-executed, with both quiet and action-packed scenes exhibiting a lively and meticulously mixed soundscape. The surround speakers are consistently engaged, creating an immersive experience. The motorcycle sequence, in particular, stands out, with detailed environmental sounds and convincing dinosaur interactions.
Considering the film’s length, I anticipated a lack of bonus content on the UHD disc. However, upon inserting the Blu-ray disc, disappointment ensued. There… is… no… Extra material!
While a complete absence of bonus content would be understandable, considerable behind-the-scenes material exists, showcasing the film’s practical effects, among other aspects. Unfortunately, this content is absent from this Nordic edition. It is regrettable that acquiring a foreign edition is necessary to access these features.
In conclusion, I recommend Jurassic World: Dominion. Despite its narrative inconsistencies, the film provides consistent entertainment. The exceptional audio and visual quality for home theater viewing are significant assets. However, the absence of bonus content is a major drawback, as it often serves as a primary incentive for physical media purchases among film enthusiasts and collectors.
SF Studios provided review copies for this evaluation. The provision of materials does not influence our editorial independence. Our reviews are conducted with a focus on providing unbiased information to our readers and consumers.
