Hey guys! Let's dive into Jurassic World Dominion, the 2022 movie that brought dinosaurs and humans together (again!) in a grand, globe-trotting adventure. We're going to break down what made this movie tick, from the plot and characters to the visual effects and overall impact. So, buckle up your seatbelts, because this is going to be a wild ride!

What is Jurassic World Dominion?

Jurassic World Dominion is a 2022 American science fiction action film directed by Colin Trevorrow, who also co-wrote the screenplay with Emily Carmichael, based on a story by Trevorrow and Derek Connolly. It is the sequel to Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom (2018), the third film in the Jurassic World franchise, and the sixth installment in the Jurassic Park franchise. This movie marks the return of original Jurassic Park stars Sam Neill, Laura Dern, and Jeff Goldblum, alongside Jurassic World’s Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard. The premise? Dinosaurs now roam freely across the globe, leading to a clash between humans and prehistoric creatures for dominance.

Plot Overview

The plot of Jurassic World Dominion picks up several years after the events of Fallen Kingdom, where dinosaurs were released into the world. Now, these magnificent yet dangerous creatures are scattered across different ecosystems, leading to all sorts of problems. The movie juggles several storylines, but here are the key points:

1. Maisie Lockwood's Origins: Maisie (Isabella Sermon), the cloned granddaughter of Benjamin Lockwood, is struggling to understand her unique identity. Her special DNA makes her a target, and she and Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) and Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) are living off-grid to protect her.
2. The Biosyn Conspiracy: A nefarious corporation named Biosyn, led by Dr. Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott), is at the center of the chaos. Biosyn has created a dinosaur sanctuary in the Italian Dolomites, ostensibly for research, but their true motives are far more sinister. They’re manipulating dinosaur DNA for their own gain, leading to ecological disasters like a plague of giant locusts.
3. Return of the Originals: Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill) and Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern) reunite to investigate these giant locusts, which are threatening the world’s food supply. Their investigation leads them to Biosyn and, eventually, to a reunion with Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum), who is working as an in-house philosopher at Biosyn.
4. Global Crisis: The various plot threads converge as Owen, Claire, Maisie, Alan, Ellie, and Ian all find themselves at the Biosyn Sanctuary. They must work together to uncover Biosyn’s evil plans and prevent a global catastrophe.

Main Characters

• Owen Grady (Chris Pratt): A dinosaur behaviorist and former Navy veteran, Owen is dedicated to protecting Maisie and ensuring the safety of dinosaurs. His bond with Blue, the Velociraptor, remains a central part of his character.
• Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard): A former park operations manager turned dinosaur rights activist, Claire is equally committed to protecting Maisie and advocating for dinosaur welfare. She's evolved from a corporate figure to a compassionate protector.
• Maisie Lockwood (Isabella Sermon): The cloned granddaughter of Benjamin Lockwood, Maisie is a key character due to her unique DNA. Her identity and origins are central to the plot, making her a target for those who want to exploit her genetic code.
• Dr. Alan Grant (Sam Neill): The renowned paleontologist returns to investigate the ecological threat posed by Biosyn’s genetically engineered locusts. His skepticism and scientific curiosity drive his actions.
• Dr. Ellie Sattler (Laura Dern): A paleobotanist and expert in environmental science, Ellie reunites with Alan to uncover the truth behind the locust plague. Her passion for saving the planet is as strong as ever.
• Dr. Ian Malcolm (Jeff Goldblum): The charismatic mathematician and chaos theorist, Ian Malcolm, brings his signature wit and philosophical insights to the story. Working within Biosyn, he provides a critical perspective on the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition.
• Dr. Lewis Dodgson (Campbell Scott): The CEO of Biosyn, Dodgson is the main antagonist. He is driven by greed and a desire for power, willing to risk global catastrophe to achieve his goals. His character is a callback to the original Jurassic Park film.

Production and Visual Effects

The production of Jurassic World Dominion was ambitious, involving extensive location shooting and cutting-edge visual effects. The movie aimed to blend practical effects with CGI to create realistic dinosaurs and environments. Here's a look at some key aspects:

Filming Locations

Jurassic World Dominion was filmed in multiple locations around the world, including:

• British Columbia, Canada: Served as the backdrop for North American wilderness scenes.
• Valletta, Malta: Used to depict the dinosaur black market and urban settings.
• Pinewood Studios, UK: The primary studio for set construction and interior scenes.
• Italian Dolomites, Italy: Represented the location of the Biosyn Sanctuary, offering stunning mountain landscapes.

Visual and Practical Effects

The film relied on a combination of visual effects (VFX) and practical effects to bring the dinosaurs to life. The VFX team at Industrial Light & Magic (ILM) created highly detailed and realistic dinosaurs, while practical effects were used for close-up shots and physical interactions. Animatronics and puppetry were employed to give the dinosaurs a tangible presence on set. The movie features a variety of dinosaurs, some familiar and some new, each designed with meticulous attention to detail.

Challenges in Production

The production of Jurassic World Dominion faced significant challenges, including delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The cast and crew had to adhere to strict safety protocols, which added complexity and cost to the filmmaking process. Despite these challenges, the team managed to deliver a visually impressive and action-packed film.

Themes and Reception

Jurassic World Dominion explores several themes, including the dangers of unchecked scientific ambition, the ethical implications of genetic engineering, and the importance of ecological balance. The film also touches on themes of family, legacy, and the need for humans and dinosaurs to coexist. However, the movie's reception was mixed, with critics and audiences having differing opinions.

Critical Reception

Critics generally praised the visual effects and the return of the original Jurassic Park cast but criticized the convoluted plot and lack of focus. Some felt that the movie tried to do too much, resulting in a disjointed and unsatisfying narrative. Others appreciated the action sequences and the nostalgia factor but found the characters underdeveloped and the story predictable.

Audience Reception

Audience reactions were more varied. Many fans enjoyed seeing the original cast members together again and appreciated the thrilling dinosaur action. However, some viewers felt that the movie failed to live up to the high expectations set by previous installments. Despite the mixed reviews, Jurassic World Dominion was a commercial success, grossing over $1 billion worldwide.

Themes Explored

• Scientific Responsibility: The film raises questions about the ethical responsibilities of scientists and corporations when manipulating genetics. Biosyn’s actions highlight the dangers of prioritizing profit over safety and the potential consequences of unchecked ambition.
• Ecological Balance: The movie underscores the importance of maintaining ecological balance and the potential disruptions caused by introducing invasive species (in this case, dinosaurs) into new environments. The locust plague serves as a metaphor for the unintended consequences of tampering with nature.
• Coexistence: Jurassic World Dominion suggests that humans and dinosaurs must find a way to coexist if both are to survive. The film explores the challenges and possibilities of integrating dinosaurs into the modern world.

The Impact and Legacy

Jurassic World Dominion serves as a conclusion to both the Jurassic Park and Jurassic World trilogies, bringing together characters and storylines from across the franchise. While the film's reception was mixed, it still leaves a significant impact on the legacy of the Jurassic Park series.

Franchise Evolution

Over the years, the Jurassic Park franchise has evolved from a groundbreaking science fiction thriller to a large-scale action-adventure series. Jurassic World Dominion reflects this evolution, incorporating elements of espionage, corporate conspiracy, and global catastrophe into the dinosaur narrative. The movie also pays homage to the original films, bringing back familiar characters and themes.

Future of the Franchise

While Jurassic World Dominion is billed as the end of an era, the Jurassic Park franchise is likely to continue in some form. The enduring popularity of dinosaurs and the potential for new stories suggest that spin-offs, prequels, or reboots could be in the works. Whether the franchise will continue with the same characters or explore new directions remains to be seen.

Conclusion

Jurassic World Dominion is a grand, ambitious, and somewhat flawed conclusion to the Jurassic World trilogy. The film brings together beloved characters from across the franchise, delivers thrilling dinosaur action, and explores important themes about scientific responsibility and ecological balance. While it may not be perfect, Jurassic World Dominion is a memorable and entertaining addition to the Jurassic Park saga. So, what did you guys think? Did it roar, or was it a dino-sized disappointment? Let me know in the comments!